Christopher Ahart, deputy police chief in Peoria Heights, has been appointed to fill the Village’s seat on the Greater Peoria Mass Transit District Board.
He succeeds Joan Krupa as the Heights’ representative on the five-member GPMTD Board.
Ahart has been employed by the Heights Police Department for 22 years, starting as a police officer and working his way up to sergeant, detective and ultimately to deputy chief in 2012. He also serves as a member of the Peoria Heights District 325 School Board.
“I had a long list of people. We’ve got a deep team here in Peoria Heights that I considered,” said Mayor Michael Phelan.
But in the end, the mayor chose Ahart because “we all know Chris. We want someone that’s going to represent us very well on the board. But as I thought about it, Chris has a real unique perspective as deputy chief. He certainly
understands the transportation needs here, which are a very important part of what this job does.
“But also his role as a School Board member gives him a good understanding of the people in the community that are in need ... I want to keep in mind that we don’t forget the customers of this service ... I think he’ll be an outstanding representative of Peoria Heights on the Greater Peoria Mass Transit District.”
The vote to approve Ahart’s appointment was unanimous, with Trustees Diane Mariscal and Sherryl Carter absent.
In other news, Heights Street Superintendent Mike Casey announced that the Village will be receiving $405,000 through the state’s Rebuild Illinois capital plan, which will be distributed over the next three years. The priority for those funds will be Forest Park Drive, as it’s overdue for surface work and serves as an artery from Prospect down to Galena Road, with a couple of nursing homes along the way, he said.
Finally, the Peoria Heights Arts Collaborative wants to bring back its annual Arts Fair in May following a one-year hiatus due to COVID-19. The fair previously has drawn thousands of visitors, and as such, the Collaborative is asking for the closure of Prospect Road from Glen to Seiberling on that date – with traffic rerouted – and a donation from the Village to help with the costs of hosting the show. The latter will in part be returned to the Village through tax revenues generated by visitors who eat and shop in the Heights during the event.
“People are yearning to get out,” said Barb Milaccio, a leader of the effort. “I feel like our attendance will just be huge, I really do – supporting the businesses, supporting the artists.”
“We asked the business community and the art community to step up and take ownership of this, and you have,” said Phelan. “I’m personally ready to kick off a lot of events in Peoria Heights in 2021. I think these types of events distinguish us from other communities ... These are affordable, normally free events for residents to come and enjoy.”
The Village Board will take up the requests at its next meeting on Feb. 16.