Mokena Honors Long-Time Volunteers: Watch Village Video

During Monday's board meeting, honored 17 long-time volunteers on the many volunteer boards and commissions that help run Mokena.

"It takes an awful lot of folks, an awful lot of people to make a village work," Mayor Joe Werner said before the presentation.

Watch the village's video of the honorees (go to item 6b on the online agenda or go to the 12:42 mark).

One long-time volunteer missing from the meeting was Chuck Manhart, who was due to be honored for his 26 years on the village's Planning and Zoning Commission.

Manhart died Sept. 14. He was 80. In addition to planning and zoning, Manhart was also involved with , , the historical society and .

The village is planning a special tribute to Manhart at the Nov. 28 meeting.

The following volunteers were honored:

• Pat Foley, 13 years on the Cable Commission
• Tim Franson, 14 years on the Cable Commission
• August Badali, 12 years on the Economic Development Commission
• Stan Lukas, 13 years on the Economic Development Commission
• Frank Lacny, 14 years on the Economic Development Commission
• Tom Murray, 11 years on the Emergency Services and Disaster Agency
• Jason McElyea, 12 years on the Emergency Services and Disaster Agency
• Phil Durling, 15 years on the Emergency Services and Disaster Agency
• Gregory McElyea, 17 years on the Emergency Services and Disaster Agency
• Joe Cirelli, 21 years on the Emergency Services and Disaster Agency, 12 years on the Planning and Zoning Commission
• Ray Wagner, 13 years as local adjudicator
• April Kracek, 16 years on the Planning and Zoning Commission
• Kathy Schlegel, 18 years on the Planning and Zoning Commission
• Marc Schonwise, 26 years on the Planning and Zoning Commission, 11 years on the Site Plan/Architectural Review Committee
• Joe Budzyn, 20 years on the Police Commission
• Marc Moran, 20 years on the Police Commission
• Richart Sinnott, 15 years on the Site Plan/Architectural Review Committee