Park Forest, IL-(ENEWSPF)- Before an overflowing gathering of current and former employees, the Village Board Monday designated a section of Park Street after retired employee Chuck Alexander.
Loretta Alexander, Chuck’s wife, received the honor.
Chuck retired after 28 years of public service, 25 of those years in Park Forest, on February 8, 2017.
He died the morning of February 11, 2017.
Loretta Alexander visibly choked up with tears when Village Manager revealed the street sign that Public Works crews would install in Chuck’s honor.
Mayor John Ostenburg presented the resolution honoring Chuck to Loretta Alexander.
The resolution follows. Below the resolution are photographs from the board room.
A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND THANKING CHUCK ALEXANDER FOR HIS DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE VILLAGE OF PARK FOREST
WHEREAS, Charles Kenneth Alexander was born in Chicago on May 14, 1957 and lived his early childhood in Chicago and Fox Lake before moving to Steger in 1969; and
WHEREAS, Chuck graduated from Bloom Township High in 1975, and was known by most of his friends and family as “Kenny”; and
WHEREAS, On May 3, 1986, he married the love of his life, Loretta Fulwood; and
WHEREAS, In 1989, Chuck’s career in public service began in Flossmoor before beginning his tenure with the Park Forest Public Works Department as a Maintenance Worker in December of 1991. Chuck was subsequently promoted to the posts of Crew Chief in August of 1993 and Superintendent in January 2010; and
WHEREAS, Chuck was recognized 20 times for Employee/Team of the Month with nominations typically citing something as follows: “For service to the Village above and beyond his normal duties and his care and respect for the men that work under him” or “There isn’t anything that Chuck doesn’t know or can’t help you out with”; or “As a Public Works Crew Leader Chuck goes way beyond what is expected of his position. At the garage Chuck has been revered for his “tinkering”, but without this tinkering, there probably would not be more than a few pieces of equipment still in operation. Chuck saved the Village an enormous amount of money with his mechanical abilities and I don’t believe that the word mechanic was ever in his job description”; and
WHEREAS, Chuck was awarded Employee/Team of the Month for 15 of those nominations and would either share credit in the accomplishments, push the spotlight of recognition toward his crew, or simply say “I’m just doing my job”; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his career, Chuck Alexander was the epitome of a dedicated and hardworking public servant who led Public Works staff through numerous emergency and challenging situations with tremendous diligence, persistence, focus, and work ethic; and
WHEREAS, As exemplified time and time again, when the going got tough, Chuck got going, he was the “Go To” guy; and
WHEREAS, His 28 years of Public Works knowledge, experience, and skills made him a valuable and vital member of the Public Works Leadership Team, especially when it came to knowing the details and oddities of Park Forest public works infrastructure. His comprehensive knowledge was no small feat with an infrastructure that is literally hundreds of combined miles of sidewalk, curb and gutter, water and sewer mains, street light circuits and roadway throughout the Park Forest community; and
WHEREAS, Without a doubt, Chuck was truly dedicated and loyal to his job; and
WHEREAS, After 28 years of dedicated public service, Chuck Alexander, retired on February 8, 2017 from his position as Superintendent with the Park Forest Public Works Department.
NOW, THERFORE, 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, the entire Village Staff and the Citizens of Park Forest be expressed for 25 years of loyal and dedicated service that Chuck Alexander gave to the Village.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Mayor and Board of Trustees do hereby permanently designate the section of Park Street along the Public Works Yard, as Honorary Chuck Alexander Way.
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