Park Forest, IL—(ENEWSPF)— Village staff honored one of their own last Wednesday with a luncheon in honor of retiring Director of Community Relations Barbara Moore. The gathering provided staff members the opportunity to bid Barbara farewell. Her last day of work, officially, was Friday. She worked for the Village of Park Foret for 24 years. Numerous staff members stood to pay her tribute at the event.
The Village Board will honor Barbara Moore's service at Monday's board meeting with a proclamation that lists her many accomplishments during her tenure:
WHEREAS, Barbara Moore began her 24 year career with the Village of Park Forest as the part-time assistant to the Director of Economic Development and Community Relations in 1983; and in 1988 she was promoted to Director of Community Relations; and
WHEREAS, Barbara Moore served as Staff Liaison to the Commission on Human Relations, the Equal Opportunity Employment Review Board and the Fair Housing Review Board. Under Barbara’s guidance, the Commission on Human Relations created the Mediation Task Force in 1988 to help residents settle conflicts. In 1987, Barbara helped lead team of residents work to stop Marshall Fields from leaving Park Forest. Their efforts led Park Forest to being a finalist for the All America City Award; and
WHEREAS, Barbara Moore touched many facets of Park Forest life, she helped to establish on-going communication with local area realtors and coordinated the Park Forest House Tour and Home Improvement Fair. Barbara also served as Director of the Illinois Chapter of the National Coalition Building Institute which facilitates training aimed at prejudice reduction and conflict resolution; and
WHEREAS, over Barbara’s illustrious career with the Village she served as an officer in numerous regional and local organizations; Barbara served as Vice President of the Park Forest Infant Welfare League, the Indiana School PTA, two terms as President of the Chicago Area Fair Housing Alliance, President of the League of Women Voters of the Park Forest Area and President and co-founder of the Unity Coalition and Diversity Dinners; and
WHEREAS, Barbara also served the community with her involvement in Diversity, Inc. where she was Vice President, and Vice President of the Board of Directors of the South Suburban Housing Center; Barbara is also a member of the Park Forest Rotary; and
WHEREAS, Barbara’s accomplishments have not gone unnoticed and as a result she has been the recipient of many awards for her work in fair housing and community relations; she received the Abbey Foundation’s 1994 Women Together Award, the Athena Award in 2000, the South Suburban Fair Housing Achievement Award in 2007 and the Hope for People Award from the HOPE Fair Housing Center in 1989. The Greater South Suburban Board of Realtors presented her with their Community Affairs Recognition Award in 1988. Barbara has also received the Martin Luther King, Jr. Image Award in 2007 and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Spirit Award in 2000. Barbara recently was a recipient of the Carrie Chapman Catt Award, an award presented by the League of Women Voters of Illinois.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the Mayor and Board of Trustees of the Village of Park Forest, Cook and Will Counties, Illinois, that the deepest appreciation of the Board of Trustees and citizens of Park Forest be expressed to Barbara for her years of dedicated service to the Village.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board wishes Barbara a long, happy and healthy retirement during which she enjoys family and other interests.
RESOLVED this 25th day of June, 2007.
More photos from the luncheon. All photos courtesy Wendy Heise, of Wish Photography.
Barbara Moore with Mayor John Ostenburg
Moore watches as Village Manager Tom Mick speaks to the gathering.
Barbara Moore listens as Mayor Ostenburg thanks her for her service.
Staff were invited to sign a matte for a picture presented to Barbara Moore.
