City Of Oak Forest: Jim Richmond To Retire From Mayor's Office On December 31

Oak Forest IL

28 December, 2021

5:34 PM

Description

Press release from the City of Oak Forest: December 28, 2021 The City of Oak Forest today announced that Jim Richmond will retire from the Mayor's Office on December 31.   Richmond's time with the city spans nearly 45 years in three different roles – city manager, mayor and executive assistant to the mayor. Richmond boasts a distinguished career in municipal government having served the cities of Chicago and Valparaiso, Indiana in addition to Oak Forest.  Former Oak Forest Mayor Jim Jesk, who passed away in November gave Richmond his first opportunity to serve the residents of his hometown when he appointed Richmond as city manager in 1977. Richmond served two years in this role and was instrumental in helping to relocate City Hall from Cicero Avenue to Central Avenue in 1979.  Unfortunately, Richmond left the city for a new opportunity before the facility was completed.       Richmond's work as city manager as well as his involvement in local affairs eventually led him to run for mayor in 1993 – defeating incumbent Jim Malecky, who served two terms in office.  Prior to being mayor, Richmond led the controversial referendum to reduce the number of aldermen elected to each ward.  The referendum passed and according to Richmond brought "more stability to local government and improved service to the community."  As mayor, Richmond introduced the city's first ethics ordinance, created the positions of finance director and community development director, implemented a senior bus service, and began the development of the Oak Commons site at 159th Street and Central Avenue.   Richmond returned to City Hall in 2009 in his current position as the executive assistant to Mayor Hank Kuspa.  For the past 12 years, Richmond has managed the day-to-day operations of the Mayor's Office, including fielding comments, concerns and questions from residents; maintaining the records of the City Council; coordinating procedures for the elections held in Oak Forest; and serving as the Freedom of Information officer.  "I will miss the daily contact with residents and business people, as well as the opportunity to serve them," Richmond said.  "I will also miss working with seven extremely fine aldermen, as well as the other elected officials and so many wonderful city employees.  My dedication to improving Oak Forest will go on." In retirement, Richmond plans to do some traveling with his wife Sharon and spend more time carrying out long-delayed projects for her.  Richmond credits his wife for his ability to remain involved in Oak Forest government and in the community for so long.   This press release was produced by the City of Oak Forest. The views expressed here are the author's own.