Our newest (Interim) Village Manager

I know we’ve done this a lot lately, but let me introduce to you, our newest village employee, Interim Village Manager Terrance Burghard. Burghard made his first village appearance at the Jan. 10 Village Board meeting. Patch sat down with Burghard to ask him some questions a say a quick hello to Glen Ellyn residents.  

Glen Ellyn Patch: What is your name and current position at the Village of Glen Ellyn?

Terrance Burghard: Terry Burghard, interim village manager.

Patch: What has your prior experience been working with city administrations?

Burghard: Eight years in Homewood, IL; eight years in Mount Prospect, IL; and until 2005, eight years in Plainfield, IL.

Patch: What are the most important issues in your mind facing local governments right now?

Burghard: Maintaining and strengthening resident confidence in local government, [and] revenue expenditure issues in this economy.

Patch: What is your self-described style of village manager leadership?

Burghard: There have been some who may say I have no style.  In any case, I am a big picture guy who loves to delegate and get the real work done by those who know their business.

Patch: What is hard about starting a new job as a village/city manager?

Burghard: Getting the basic information of who is who and what is what. I also seem to get lost once in a while driving around.

Patch: What are some of the most important issues are we facing right now?

Burghard: Manager replacement, preparing a balanced budget and servicing the growing resident service demand.

Patch: Do you have any plans to address any of these issues during your term?

Burghard: I will, but it is too soon to finalize plans right now.  This is the end of my first week.

Patch: What do you see as the role of an interim village manager? Helping find your replacement, continuity of service?

Burghard: Avoid major mistakes, keep the place on a gentle direction, no major changes, listen and consult elected officials and staff.

Patch: What got you involved in local government in the first place?

Burghard: This is the government closest to the people and has the ability to solve problems in a civil way.

Patch: Anything else you'd like to add or say to the community?

Burghard: Not at the present, but so far everyone has been real helpful and sincere.