While the Estates Property Owners Association had intended to elect its officers and board of directors for the year, last Wednesday, several factors led to a postponement of the planned election.

John Appelt, a member of the five person nominating committee, which seeks out people for the 15-member nominating committee and suggests people to serve on the POA's board of directors, spoke about the problems that developed in presenting a slate to be elected.

The first problem that occurred was that the timeline that is established as far as presenting the slate to the current board of directors and then to the resident electors of the Estates section was not met. Although the proposed slate had been presented to the board of directors, residents from the Estates section did not receive notification of the proposed slate and the elections 10 days before the meeting, as required.

The second problem encountered by the nominating committee was the resignation of the president-elect and vice president-elect. Both President-elect Jim Costello and Vice President-elect Peggy Jesser sent letters to the POA announcing their resignation, citing a recent decision by the mayor with regard to the naming of a new village trustee from the Estates section. Because the mayor chose the candidate who was submitted via petition rather than the candidate recommended by the Estates POA vacancy committee, those two members decided they no longer wanted to serve the village as officers of the POA.

Adding to the problems associated with the election of new officers and board of directors was the fact that, because there were less than 35 members of the POA at the meeting, there was not a quorum which is required in the by-laws for elections.

Appelt announced that because they could not hold the elections as planned, the committee was asking the immediate Past President Robert Rothschild to remain president until a new slate of officers could be presented. "We are lucky to have Robert Rothschild's capable hands to fall back on," said Appelt.

The nominating committee will now begin the process of searching for new candidates. Appelt noted that this was not an easy task because the committee had a difficult time getting people to volunteer for these positions in the first place.

Appelt noted that the village runs as smoothly as it does because of the many people who volunteer their time and spend hundreds of hours each year working for the community. "Getting volunteers is becoming more and more difficult every year. Things have changed," said Appelt, noting that people are so busy with other aspects of their lives that they don't have the time to dedicate to serving the village. "We are suffering, the committee is going to have to look a little harder [for candidates]" added Appelt. He welcomed anyone who lives in the Estates section to submit a résumé to the committee. Résumés can be sent to Appelt, who is listed in the phone book.

As of right now the nominating committee does not have a time frame for the selection of new officers, but Appelt stated that they will work as fast as they can to find a qualified candidate. It is required that the candidate for president must have served at least one year (not necessarily the past year) as a member of the board of directors of the POA. Noting that volunteerism is at a premium, Appelt concluded, "We are begging for people to come forward."