Mayor Schmit stated that Chief Mike Behan has asked to address the Board and we will do that at this time.
“Chief Mike Behan stated that he could not leave without coming to see you. My retirement date was August 28th . I want to be the first one to say that I thank the Village for allowing me a job in 1982. I came here with great expectations and I actually fell in love with this Village way before then. I have been in this town for 40 years. I saw in 1982, when I became a Police Officer here, what everyone saw yesterday. The town in so loving and so caring and comes to your aid almost every chance they get. That is what most police officers feel here. I have been seeing that for many years and that is what made it my town. I think I went to see Trustee Murrey because we have history for a long time; we met back in 1982 or 1983 with his brother Dave at Price Towing. Trustee Jensen, we hung with the same people in high school and throughout. Your father was actually on the Board when I got sworn in, in 1982. Trustee Stochl are our family friends and have been friends for years, without a doubt. Trustee Marr, I believe I met you a couple of times before. But the one day my sons and I were mowing a grass for an older man who couldn ’ t do it, and I met you and your beautiful wife and you both came out and helped us. Trustee Konwent, you have always been the woman to go to for Leisure Village. It has been a lot of history here. Thirty-three years is a long time and I love it here. Mayor, we met in 19 76 you were a life guard at Holiday Park. The day you put up the tower at the Police Department on your own time and your own equipment, we became friends. So, it is a long history. I have done many programs and I love this town and I think you have said it many time with what has happened with Lt. Gliniewicz, if you caught me it ’ s going to be Fox Lake blue. I have no ill feelings at all. No one forced me to retire. It ’ s time. It ’ s been a long career, 33 years. I chose to do that, no one on this Board did, no one in the Village did. It was my decision and I think it was the right one. There is a lot of stuff going on. I do want to thank my family and they have been tremendous through all of this. My wife Beth, my mother, my sisters and Brother in laws and everyone here has affected my life one way or another. I truly appreciate everything they have done for me. The relationship between the Fire Department and the Police Department is probably from the relationship I have with the Fire Chief, Ron Hoehne. Everyone in here I have had a relationship with and they are wonderful people. I could not have done half of the things I have done in this Village for the citizens of this community if it wasn ’ t for Mario Martinez. I call him my Brother that is Docker ’ s. Mario has done everything for me. From the towing companies: Terry ’ s and Fox Towing. We are all personal friends and we have done a job together. I have truly appreciated everyone who has come to my aid when I have asked. It has been a wonderful career I can ’ t say anything bad. If you need anything, I am here and I am going to be watching. (Laughter) I will be going to the Village events. When I became Chief 10 years ago I started some programs that I would like to see continued.
· Shop with a Cop
· Halloween Party
· Bike rodeo
· National Night Out
· Senior out Reach
· Citizens Police Academy
· Drug Outreach program
· Neighborhood watch
· Crime Free Housing (which is an Ordinance)
· New Year’s Eve Ride Home
Mike stated that there are many programs that he is very proud of. We are in need right now. We have a lot of hurt going on and we need good leaders and all of you are. The Citizens are behind you, I am behind you and I am proud of Fox Lake and I always will be. Thank you! ” Mayor Schmit stated that not only for the 33 years of service to our community that I am going to commend you. In our time of need Tuesday morning, five minutes after I knew it was Joe, I called you. You came into the Village and told the widow that her husband had died. You told her son that his father had died. You did no police work at all, but what you did for this Village cannot be measured and no matter what happens Mike I will never forget what you did for us and for her family.