Spesia is your new trustee

By: 
Ann Gill
Editor

      David Spesia is the newest member of the Coal City Village Board, selected by the mayor to fill the seat vacated by the resignation of Justin Wren.
    The appointment was announced by Mayor Terry Halliday at the March 14 and Spesia was sworn in at that time.
    When looking to fill the vacant seat, Halliday said he thought about former village trustees, “who could hit the ground running.” But, he also saw Wren’s departure as an opportunity to bring on someone with new ideas.
    Then he ran into Spesia, a 23-year resident of the village who currently resides in the Prairie Oak Estates Subdivision.
    “I didn’t know that he was in Prairie Oaks, and when I found out that he was, it sparked my interest. Prairie Oaks is part of Coal City and it’s kind of a forgotten area so I thought here’s a great opportunity,” Halliday said.
    The mayor and Spesia got to know each other through their children’s involvement in sports, so the their paths have crossed over the years.
    “We sat down and talked about (him joining the board), I gave him a few days and he decided to jump on in,” Halliday said.
    In anticipation of his appointment, Spesia attended the board’s recent budget hearings and strategic planning sessions.
    “You’ve seen Dave around and maybe it answers some questions of why he was there,” Halliday told the board.
    Wren was in the first of a four-year term when he stepped down last month.
    “When someone resigns this early in the term, (the appointment) serves until the next election,” Village Attorney Mark Heinle explained.
    So that means Spesia will serve about one year as the position will be up for vote in the consolidated election set for April 2, 2019.
    The individual elected to the post will then serve the remaining two years of the term.
    Halliday said this next year will give Spesia a chance to see if he enjoys the work and wants to seek retention.
    A veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, Spesia is self-employed. He and his wife, Lisa are the parents of four children Megan, Jessica, Zach and Abbey. The later two joined their mother for the swearing in last week.
    “I thank the mayor and board for this appointment and I’m looking forward to working with each of you, as well as the administration,” Spesia said.
    He will assume the committee assignments held by his predecessor, so he will chair the Streets and Alleys Committee and serve as vice-chair of the Planning and Zoning Committee.