11-04-2008, 09:21 AM
I wonder who the other 16 applicants are? Is that public or private information? Anyone know about this guy?
![[Image: koncan_balen_home_110408.jpg_20081103_22...ageContent]](http://media1.suburbanchicagonews.com/multimedia/koncan_balen_home_110408.jpg_20081103_22_58_39_82-116-165.imageContent)
Hyde taps Koncan in Waukegan 2nd Ward
Abbott Laboratories project manager succeeds late John Balen
November 4, 2008
By DAN MORAN <!-- e --><a href="mailto
MORAN@SCN1.COM">DMORAN@SCN1.COM</a><!-- e -->
WAUKEGAN -- The City Council paused to remember John Balen Monday night, and then moved forward with the appointment of Thomas J. Koncan Jr. to succeed him as 2nd Ward alderman.
Mayor Richard Hyde announced the appointment of Koncan, a project manager with Abbott Laboratories, following a brief ceremony to honor Balen, who died last week following a long battle with cancer. Balen was 85.
Hyde said Koncan came with a "very, very impressive resume," which includes 20 years at Abbott and four years in the Marine Corps during the 1980s. Koncan is a 1978 graduate of Waukegan West High School, and he earned a bachelor's degree in work force education, training and development from Southern Illinois University in 1995.
"We had about 17 applications from very, very qualified people," said Hyde, "but it came down to who I felt was the most qualified."
Among those in the audience for Koncan's swearing-in was his father, Tom Koncan Sr., a retired Waukegan firefighter who ran unsuccessfully for 2nd Ward alderman in 1983 against Donald Weakley, and was also a past candidate for the Waukegan Park District board.
Hyde noted that the junior Koncan is an interim appointment, with Balen having been re-elected to his fourth term in April 2007. The final two years of Balen's term will be on the ballot for municipal elections early next year.
Balen's wife of 58 years, Helen, and daughters Rochelle and Cheryl were among the family members in attendance as City Clerk Wayne Motley read a resolution honoring Balen's "many contributions to the city of Waukegan and our citizens."
"John Balen's service was given with such devotion that he earned the respect, admiration and friendship of the citizens of our community through his professionalism and dedication," the resolution stated. "John Balen set the standard for commitment to public service throughout his life and gave much to our community in terms of his leadership and talents."
The resolution listed several of Balen's accomplishments, including his World War II service in the Army and his public career on everything from the Waukegan City Council to the Lake County Board.
Handing a copy of the statement to Mrs. Balen, Hyde offered her private words and then told the audience that "we're very grateful to the Balen family for the many years of service he gave to Waukegan."
"A lot of times, we don't appreciate someone, unfortunately, until they're gone," said Hyde, who clashed politically at times with Balen. "But at least (appreciation) comes out now."
The council's chaplain, the Rev. Joseph Coburn, offered prayers for Balen during the invocation.
"Tonight, we pray for our alderman," Coburn said. "We remember his sincerity for Waukegan. He was a man of Waukegan."
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/newssun/news/1258391,5_1_WA04_BALEN_S1.article">http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/news ... S1.article</a><!-- m -->
Hyde taps Koncan in Waukegan 2nd Ward
Abbott Laboratories project manager succeeds late John Balen
November 4, 2008
By DAN MORAN <!-- e --><a href="mailto
MORAN@SCN1.COM">DMORAN@SCN1.COM</a><!-- e -->WAUKEGAN -- The City Council paused to remember John Balen Monday night, and then moved forward with the appointment of Thomas J. Koncan Jr. to succeed him as 2nd Ward alderman.
Mayor Richard Hyde announced the appointment of Koncan, a project manager with Abbott Laboratories, following a brief ceremony to honor Balen, who died last week following a long battle with cancer. Balen was 85.
Hyde said Koncan came with a "very, very impressive resume," which includes 20 years at Abbott and four years in the Marine Corps during the 1980s. Koncan is a 1978 graduate of Waukegan West High School, and he earned a bachelor's degree in work force education, training and development from Southern Illinois University in 1995.
"We had about 17 applications from very, very qualified people," said Hyde, "but it came down to who I felt was the most qualified."
Among those in the audience for Koncan's swearing-in was his father, Tom Koncan Sr., a retired Waukegan firefighter who ran unsuccessfully for 2nd Ward alderman in 1983 against Donald Weakley, and was also a past candidate for the Waukegan Park District board.
Hyde noted that the junior Koncan is an interim appointment, with Balen having been re-elected to his fourth term in April 2007. The final two years of Balen's term will be on the ballot for municipal elections early next year.
Balen's wife of 58 years, Helen, and daughters Rochelle and Cheryl were among the family members in attendance as City Clerk Wayne Motley read a resolution honoring Balen's "many contributions to the city of Waukegan and our citizens."
"John Balen's service was given with such devotion that he earned the respect, admiration and friendship of the citizens of our community through his professionalism and dedication," the resolution stated. "John Balen set the standard for commitment to public service throughout his life and gave much to our community in terms of his leadership and talents."
The resolution listed several of Balen's accomplishments, including his World War II service in the Army and his public career on everything from the Waukegan City Council to the Lake County Board.
Handing a copy of the statement to Mrs. Balen, Hyde offered her private words and then told the audience that "we're very grateful to the Balen family for the many years of service he gave to Waukegan."
"A lot of times, we don't appreciate someone, unfortunately, until they're gone," said Hyde, who clashed politically at times with Balen. "But at least (appreciation) comes out now."
The council's chaplain, the Rev. Joseph Coburn, offered prayers for Balen during the invocation.
"Tonight, we pray for our alderman," Coburn said. "We remember his sincerity for Waukegan. He was a man of Waukegan."
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/newssun/news/1258391,5_1_WA04_BALEN_S1.article">http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/news ... S1.article</a><!-- m -->
