Thomas Kantas, shown before a Palos Heights Council meeting in 2022, resigned this week as clerk. (Photo by Jeff Vorva)
Fourteen-year Palos Heights clerk resigns
By Jeff Vorva
Longtime Palos Heights Clerk Thomas Kantas suddenly resigned from his post this week.
Kantas, who won four elections for the clerk’s post starting in 2009, resigned for “personal reasons” on Tuesday morning, Mayor Bob Straz announced at the city council meeting that night.
“I will proceed to try to fill the vacancy,” said Straz, who performed the clerk’s role at the meeting.
“I will appoint someone to fill the position for the next 23 months. I’ll be starting to look right now. I’ve already been thinking about it and have some people in mind.”
In 2009, Kantas narrowly beat out Colleen Mannix-Devine 1,621-1,602 to win his first election. He ran unopposed in 2013, 2017 and 2021.
Inducement resolution for Tiffany Square
The council voted to adopt an inducement resolution for Tiffany Square, which would include improvements plus creating a parking area for Lake Katherine.
The property is located at 7202-7230 W. College Drive.
The resolution is a starting point to get the owners of Tiffany Square and the city to come up with ideas for changes.
“This will allow the city to begin negotiating with the owner of Tiffany Square to make necessary improvements such as parking lot improvements, façade improvements and a public easement to potentially expand the Lake Katherine parking lot to the north,” said Economic Development Coordinator Ken Busse.
Business hearing scheduled
The council voted to host a public hearing to consider the adoption of the Palos Heights Business District No. 2 Harlem Avenue Corridor Plan.
Some of the council’s ideas about the new parking area have met with some resistance by residents, who have complained at council meetings earlier this year.
The hearing is slated for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 15, in the council chambers, 7607 West College Dr.
Channel 9 lauds Channel 4
Several weeks ago, a WGN-TV news crew came out and filmed some of the happenings at Palos Heights’ cable Channel 4.
The story aired on July 17 and for those who missed it, it can be found at wgntv.com/news/cover-story/retirees-create-cable-access-powerhouse-in-palos-heights/
“I don’t think I’ve ever heard of a TV station being interviewed by another TV station,” Alderman Jerry McGovern said. “This is the best TV station in Illinois.”
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