The Arlington Heights Village Board has new trustees following the outcome of the election last month, but the exiting elected leaders were bid farewell in a reception where they were presented with proclamations, gifts and accolades from their peers.
Two Arlington Heights esteemed trustees are gone from the board – one to take on a new role as a state representative and the other simply retired – and were recognized for their stewardship by fellow trustees. While Wendy Dunnington and Scott Shirley were sworn in Monday as the newcomers on the board, at the April 17 meeting, the village said goodbye to Mary Beth Canty and John Scaletta.
Canty, who had been a village trustee since 2019, was elected to the state General Assembly last November to represent the 54th District as state representative. The district includes Arlington Heights. Although she was sworn in as state representative in January, she continued in her role as village trustee until the April 4 election.
“Mary Beth Canty has been an outstanding trustee for four years and she is very much a dedicated public servant,” mayor Tom Hayes said at the April 17 reception and meeting where the outgoing trustees were honored.
He said he’s looking forward to working with Canty as state representative and is confident she’ll be a good friend to the village.
“Mary Beth has brought a great deal of diversity to the board, including diversity of thought,” the mayor said. “I want to thank you, Mary Beth, for bringing my 1950s mentality at least into the 1960s. Mary Beth and I, we don’t always agree … but over the course of four years of votes, we’ve actually voted the same way over 90% of the time.”
A proclamation in her honor recognized Canty for serving with “transparency, thoughtfulness, compassion and fairness and always working to ensure that all perspectives were heard in public policy discussions.” It also recognized Canty as an advocate for promoting diversity, equity and inclusion within village government and always looking to find “new and creative ways to seek out, engage with and respond to the many diverse voices within the Arlington Heights community.”
Canty thanked Hayes for his kind words and recognition.
“Sometimes it has seemed like we have challenged each other, but I appreciate that you take that with a sense of humor and know the spirit in which it was intended,” Canty said in response to the mayor’s comments. “What I’ve learned on this board is how much every member on this board cares so deeply about this community. Thank you for letting me have the privilege and honor of serving my community in this way and supporting me as I move forward.”
Hayes said it was tough for him to say goodbye to John Scaletta, who he not only considers a colleague but a dear friend.
Scaletta has served on the Village Board for 16 years and decided not to seek reelection in order to spend more time with his family, he said.
“I’ll miss John dearly,” Hayes said. “John has been an exemplary trustee, a role model for all elected representatives. He has been the example of a dedicated public servant, the hardest working board member in my 32 years on the board. He always has a lot of tough questions and we need that because it shows we’re dedicated to analyzing issues. Nobody has done it better than John Scaletta.”
Scaletta first served on the village’s Arts Commission in 2001, was then appointed to the Arlington Economic Alliance until 2007 when he was elected to the Village Board. He was also on the board of the Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce and the Arlington Heights Downtown Business Association board of directors.
“Throughout his public service, he has used his experience and business acumen to ensure that village government operated in a cost-effective and fiscally responsible manner and that village rules and standards were applied fairly and suitable to all businesses and residents,” read a portion of the proclamation presented to Scaletta. “He always worked to make certain issues before the village board were examined carefully and thoughtfully before any final decisions were made, elevating the analysis of village staff and the level of discourse of his fellow trustees.”
Scaletta said he was a bit overwhelmed by the entire recognition then stepped behind the dais to read his prepared remarks, highlighting that he has continued his original campaign promise of thinking positively and acting responsibly.
“In 16 years, I’ve served with 17 trustees and two mayors and I’m proud of my service and accomplishment,” Scaletta said. “I am most proud of our truth and taxation since 2014, very proud of our new village manager, improving our aging infrastructure and paying down our pension obligations.”\\
He urged the board to eliminate the village vehicle sticker, make decisions in the best interests of residents and pledged to continue to stay involved in the community.
Fellow trustees commended both Canty and Scaletta for their service.
Trustee Jim Tinaglia noted how the two departing trustees were two independent thinkers and role models for how they performed their work, with Scaletta always asking the hard questions.
“The questions that you ask help me be a better trustee and these 10 years sitting next to you have been a joy,” Trustee Robin LaBedz said of Scaletta, adding she also learned from Canty in their four years on the board together. “You all have different perspectives, and that makes all of us so much better.”
Trustee Tom Schwingbeck called Canty “extremely intelligent and very compassionate” and willing to talk through the issues.
More Top Picks Best Leather Boots For Wide Calves
He said he admired Scaletta for his preparation and good questions.
Village Manager Randy Recklaus said both trustees made the staff better, calling Canty a relentless learner and a constant force. The village manager joked about how he was afraid of Scaletta and his hard-hitting questions when he first joined the village nine years ago. But now whenever he and his team make a decision, Recklaus said, it must pass the Scaletta test. He said he was going to miss both trustees.
Dunnington and Shirley take over the spots vacated by Canty and Scaletta. The two ran uncontested for the seats, and LaBedz and Schwingbeck won their reelection bids.
Elizabeth Owens-Schiele is a freelancer.