Familiar face named to District 33 board

By Jake Griffin Daily Herald Staff Writer
Posted May 02, 2003

It didn't take too long for West Chicago political gadfly Bob Lemon to latch on to another job.

The former high school math teacher was appointed to the West Chicago Elementary School District 33 board at Thursday's meeting, just weeks after resigning from a similar post on the West Chicago Community High School board.

"I'm looking forward to this, and I'm back in the big leagues," he said. "The most important thing a kid can do is learn to read and love learning, and that's what 33 is basically all about."

Lemon was the only applicant for the 2-year post, which was left open when no one ran for the seat in the April 1 election.

"I finally found some competition I can whoop," Lemon joked. "But obviously I'm overjoyed, and I consider community service important."

Six people were on the April 1 ballot for four 4-year terms, but neither of the two men who lost bids for 4-year terms applied for the open seat.

"I was surprised," said board President Marie Doll. "But Bob really brings a really creative way of looking at things and really has a passion for kids."

Doll said both of the candidates who lost the election last month, Steven Leffler and Anthony Zaputil, were notified of the application process.

This will actually be Lemon's second stint on the board. He left District 33 in 2001 to take a seat on the high school board, but announced his resignation last month after he learned his participation was jeopardizing his pension with the district. A replacement on that board has not been picked yet.

"Since he had prior experience, the board felt it was a pretty good move," said District 33 Superintendent Jon Mink.

Lemon has also been a city plan commissioner and a member of various other city committees.