Shiloh announces a change in Planning Commission leadership

The Village of Shiloh Planning Commission will have new leadership with seven-year veteran chairman Vince Kwiatkowski stepping down, and recommended his collegue Brian Manion to be at the helm.

“It has been an interesting, challenging experience. I take pride in the fact that I was considered worthy of that role,” Kwiatkowski said.

Manion assumed his role as new chairman to the board Monday at the beginning of the public hearing, and then formally announced the switch in positions at the beginning of the planning commission meeting over an hour later.

“I respectfully request to continue as a member of the Planning Commission, while stepping down as its chairman. I have held the position for a number of years and would like to allow another member this opportunity,” Kwiatkowski stated in his letter to Mayor Jim Vernier dated June 13.

Manion thanked Kwiatkowski for his service as chairman, and the mayor for asking him to fulfill Kwiatkowski’s recommendation.

“I feel honored to take on this role,” he said.

Many in the room applauded his service by clapping.

In his statement to the mayor, Kwiatkowski said, “It seems that after my retirement as manager for a St. Clair County agency, I find myself busier than ever with family, church and charity, and my other personal activities. This move will allow me more time to address these areas.”

After a 30-year career working as a manager in the grants department for St. Clair County, Kwiatkowski said he’s tired and wants to be able to spend more time with family, friends and his church.

“I play rock’n roll and do a lot of activities with the community, and in my role as chairman there was a lot of time involved with reviewing all the details and preparing for meetings,” Kwiatkowski said with an ear-to-ear smile.

Just because he wants to turn in the gavel per say, doesn’t mean Kwiatkowski is ready to leave the board.

“I’m still a resident of Shiloh, and feel that the process of review by the planning commission is crucial,” Kwiatkowski said.

Manion has been an Illinois bar member since 2004, and a Missouri bar member since 2007. He attended Southern Illinois University of Carbondale and the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

“With Brian’s background as an attorney, I think he’ll be able to offer a new dynamic to the board and better expertise when deciphering the language of development agreements and ordinance codes and what not,” Kwiatkowski said.

This story was originally published July 1, 2016 at 3:04 PM with the headline "Shiloh announces a change in Planning Commission leadership."