Fleischer sworn in for third term as mayor of Mokena
Metanias, Dauphinais, Fedora each take their seats on Village Board
Frank Fleischer (right) is sworn in for his third term as mayor by Village of Mokena Attorney Stephen White Monday, May 10, during the Village Board meeting. JON DEPAOLIS/RICHARD FREE PRESS
By Jon DePaolis
MOKENA, Ill. – Mayor Frank Fleischer officially kicked off his third term Monday, May 10, as he and his fellow Friends of Mokena political party members were sworn in and seated to the Village of Mokena Board of Trustees.
During the May 10 board meeting, Village Attorney Stephen White administered the oaths of office for Fleischer, re-elected Trustee George Metanias, and newly elected trustees Rob Dauphinais and Melissa Fedora.
After he was sworn in, Fleischer thanked the residents for re-electing him to the mayoral position in April.
“Thank you, Mokena, for voting me in for another four years,” he said. “I will do my best to make this the best Village in the area and in the state of Illinois.”
He also said that the Village is and will continue to be his top priority.
“This is the eighth time I’ve taken the oath of office,” Fleischer said. “The first time I took it was when I joined the Air Force. The last seven times I took it as an elected official for the Village of Mokena. As I’ve said in the past, I do take that oath very seriously.
“I am here for the residents. You are my No. 1 concern. This community is my No. 1 concern. I do this for you. I do this for my friends and my family.”
Fleischer also told residents if they ever have any questions or concerns about the Village, his phone number “has been in the book ever since I moved out here.”
“Give me a call there or leave me a message at the Village,” he said. “If you want to find out the truth, call me. If you want to find out the fairy tales, listen to Facebook.”
Fleischer also thanked his wife, Laurie, and his family for their support.
Later in the meeting, Metanias was appointed by a 6-0 vote as the new mayor pro-tem. He fills the vacancy left by former Trustee Joseph Siwinski, who decided to not run for re-election this past April.
“The mayor pro-tem [role] has traditionally been filled by the most senior and/or longest-tenured sitting member of the board,” Fleischer said prior to the vote. “In keeping with this tradition, it is my recommendation that Trustee George J. Metanias be appointed to this position.”
Fleischer said Metanias has served on the Village Board for nearly 16 years, having been elected or re-elected to four terms.
Metanias thanked the board members for their support.
“Mayor [and] Board, thank you for the trust in me to be mayor pro-tem,” he said.
SEE MORE PHOTOS FROM THE SWEARING-IN CEREMONY IN THIS SUNDAY’S PAID SUBSCRIBER NEWSLETTER.