Lemont Hires Former Planner to Replace Economic Development Director

The village of Lemont has hired back its former village planner to replace its economic development director, who resigned unexpectedly last month.

Charity Jones started her new position Monday morning, according to Village Administrator George Schafer. She replaces Jim Brown, who resigned in June for undisclosed reasons.

Jones was a village planner in Lemont for five years before she left in May to take a job as a planning manager for the village of Downers Grove.

Schafer said he and Mayor Brian Reaves thought of her immediately when the economic development director job became available.

"When the opening came about, there was one person we knew would do a great job and be up for the challenge of taking over the position," Schafer said. "We were excited to hear that she wanted to come back and take the position."

Schafer noted that Jones "has always worked well with staff, elected officials and the community."

"She will continue to be a great asset to the community going forward and I am confident she will do great in her new role with the village," Schafer said. 

The village board recently updated the Lemont's strategic plan and outlined economic development as one of its top priorities over the next several years, Schafer said.   

"Myself, the mayor and village board will be working with Charity Jones on the initiatives of the plan over the coming years," Schafer said. "Focus in the coming months will be on increased marketing of the community and its amenities."

The village of Lemont has seen a substantial amount of turnover in the past few months, starting with the departure of Village Administrator Ben Wehmeier, who left at the end of June to become a county administrator in Wisconsin. Schafer was promoted from assistant village administrator.

Other notable hires:

• Building commissioner Ed Buettner retired at the end of June. He was replaced by Mark LaChappell, a  former code enforcement officer for the village.

• Martha Glas was hired as the new village planner after Jones left in May. Glas formerly worked as an associate planner for the Will County Land Use Department.

• The Lemont Police Department recently hired probationary officers to fill four vacancies: David Dansart, David Gentile, Rob Keane and John Laurecello.