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Politics & Government

Village Recognizes Local Heroes

The Grayslake Village Board awarded three officers with service awards and officially approved members of the Environmental Stewardship Committee at its May 17 board meeting.

Local Heroes Receive Service Awards

The Grayslake Village Board recognized Officer Shawn Peterson’s 10 years of service, Detective Richard Kwielford’s 10 years of service and Commander Matthew McCutcheon’s 20 years of service with service awards.

Grayslake Police Chief Larry Herzog introduced the men and highlighted each man’s many accomplishments.

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Peterson was nominated and selected by his coworkers as the 2010 Grayslake Police Officer of the Year for his extra involvement as a juvenile officer, bike patrol officer, evidence technician, member of Grayslake’s Special Operations Unit, member of the Lake County Gang Task Force, member of the Lake County Major Crash Assistance Team and as a participant of the Shop with a Cop program.

“Officer Peterson serves as a role model for his fellow police officers in teamwork, positive attitude and dedication to community policing concepts,” said Herzog.

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Peterson accepted the award with his wife Kristen and three children.

Kwielford came to Grayslake 10 years ago after retiring from his position as a police sergeant from Wilmette, Illinois’ Police Department after 30 years of service.  Herzog said he was initially sworn in as a part-time Grayslake Police Officer and assigned to Grayslake’s Investigations Division because of his extensive background. Kwielford is a recipient of the Cook County Sheriff’s Award of Merit and the Cook County States Attorney’s Award for Outstanding Professionalism.

“He is tenacious, methodical and deliberate in his police actions and such an overall nice guy that he continually receives ‘thank you’s’ from the victims that he helps,” Herzog said.

Kwielford thanked the community and expressed his passion for his work alongside his wife and high school sweetheart of 38 years Merrilee.

McCutcheon came to the Grayslake Police department in 1991. He was promoted to the rank of sergeant in 1994 and then commander in 1998. He currently serves as second in command to the Grayslake Chief of Police. 

Herzog shared two police incidents that led to McCutcheon receiving the Lake County Valor Award in 1994.

“Locating an overdose victim after following her tracks in the January snow and for entering a burning building and rescuing an unconscious woman,” he said. Both victims fully recovered.

McCutcheon received the award alongside his wife Pam of 13 years; Pam is a 911 operator for the Village of Lake Bluff.

“I’m grateful for the oppourtunity I’ve had here. [Grayslake] is a great town to do this job in. I can’t think of anywhere else I’d rather be,” McCutcheon said.

 

Board Approves Environmental Stewardship Committee Members

The board approved Mayor Rhett Taylor’s recommended appointees for Grayslake’s Environmental Stewardship Committee. Grayslake Trustee Ron Jarvis, Grayslake Trustee Amy Edwards, Grayslake resident Mary Klees, Grayslake resident Mike Knight, Grayslake resident Jeff Marcinic and Grayslake resident Diane Miller were officially approved.

The committee serves to help advise the mayor and board by reviewing existing ordinances and programs that relate to the village’s environmental impact. The committee can also make recommendations regarding budget allocations for various programs and can make recommendations regarding environmental regulations being considered by the village.

Grayslake Reminds its Residents of Upcoming Events

Grayslake will hold its annual Memorial Day Parade and Service May 30. The event will begin at 9:30 a.m. starting at Grayslake Central High School’s parking lot on Lake Street and will travel south to Junior Avenue to Memorial Park. A service will take place after the parade in Memorial Park.

Trustee Jarvis announced that the Grayslake Park District, Gray’s Lake Management Committee and Grayslake Chamber of Commerce are sponsoring the first clean up event of Jones Island Beach called “Discover the Treasure!”

“We’ve put a lot of work into this,” Jarvis said as a member of the lake management committee.

The event will take place June 11, from 8:30 a.m. until noon at the corner of Harvey Street and Alleghany Round. Along with helping to pick up trash volunteers will tasked with finding small treasure chests that contain prizes. All participants will receive a free lunch and a recycled shopping bag courtesy of the park district and local sponsors, according to the park district’s website. For more information contact the Grayslake Park District or Grayslake Chamber of Commerce.

 

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