After debate, Crest Hill hires streets chief

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Updated: March 2, 2012 8:05AM

CREST HILL — The city has a new superintendent of streets.

After budget meetings in June, the city council decided to advertise for a full-time superintendent of streets.

City Administrator John Tomasoski and Mayor Ray Soliman chose Brent Cann from among 39 applicants.

“Brent is the most qualified candidate that we had, and I believe he is the right fit for our city at this time,” Soliman said. Cann has a master’s in business administration, is an engineer and has experience working with municipalities, he said.

The vote Cann’s appointment was tied, requiring Soliman to break it.

Ward 1 Alderman Scott Dyke expressed concerns about money, the fact that Cann is an engineer and that he doesn’t have much experience as a superintendent. Dyke feared that since Cann is an engineer, the city should no longer use other firms.

Soliman said the city is not hiring a city engineer, but a superintendent of streets with an engineering background.

“With Brent on board, I’m looking to save $20,000 our first year on some miscellaneous minor projects that are being done right now by our firms. I think that would be a godsend to our city,” Soliman said.

The city will still use outside firms for larger projects.

Ward 1 Alderman John Vershay also questioned whether Cann was right to be a street superintendent, as the city sought in its ads.

“I look at his resume, he has a fantastic resume, but not one item, not one word about streets … you didn’t go by what you said in the paper,” Vershay said.

Soliman admitted Cann might not have the know-how for plowing snow or fixinga water main break, but said he could design water mains for the city.

“I think you need to look at the whole entire picture and look at the qualifications. Brent is the most qualified candidate that was interviewed out of all the applicants that had applied,” Soliman said.