Growth Dimensions Searching for New Executive Director

By Bob Balgemann, REPORTER

Jarid Funderburg became Executive Director of Growth Dimensions in Belvidere in October 2014. Now, two years and one month later, he has departed to become Strategic Philanthropy Officer for OSF Health Care in Rockford. His departure was announced at the Oct. 19 meeting of the Boone County Board by District I Board Member Sherry Giesecke. She usually gives monthly updates on the marketing arm of the County and its municipalities when Funderburg is unable to be at the County Meeting. His first day at his new job was Oct. 10, she added. So, the search for a replacement has begun, she said. She invited anyone interested in applying for the vacancy to contact her. The only comment from among the Board came from District II Board Member Cathy Ward, who said she did not know that he had left.

This was one of those Board meetings that was longer on information than it was on controversy. Amanda Mehl, newly appointed Administrator of the County Health Department, reported on some upcoming activities. One of them was the scheduled arrival of the Northern Illinois Food Bank’s mobile food truck.  It will be in the parking lot at the County Administration Building, located at 1212 Logan Ave. in Belvidere from 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 3. She said volunteers are needed to help distribute food. Usually, she said the truck serves several hundred people. This will be the third time the truck has made a stop in the county, she said. County Board Chairman Bob Walberg said he was impressed “with the start you’ve had, and the energy you’ve put forward. I take my hat off to you.” She replied that she really enjoyed her job of serving the community.

Another upcoming event is the biggest fund-raiser of the year, “Jewels to Jeans,” on Nov. 5. That popular dinner benefits the Boone County Council on Aging. The cost is $30 per person, with tables running $350. Financial problems continue for the organization that oversees the Keen Age Center at 2141 Henry Lucklow Lane in Belvidere. That’s primarily because the State continues to lag behind in providing needed funding to the Council. In addition, District I Board Member Denny Ellingson reported the Council recently received a good audit report, for the 2015-16 fiscal year. That was good news, he said, after the funding scare of last year. The current uncertainty lies in whether the State will pay the Council what is due before Jan. 1, 2017.

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) was reported to be “holding steady.” It has received 13 new cases so far this year and currently is serving 60 children. CASA will collect hats, gloves and scarves after Thanksgiving in the lobby at PNC Bank downtown.

Also, Oct. 19 the Board approved waiving the positions of Assistant Public Defender and Director of Departmental Operations for the Health Department from the ongoing hiring freeze. The motion passed in a voice vote, with some opposition. The Health Department is reducing the number of top-level Supervisors from three to two. One of those slots, Administrator, was filled by Mehl. She replaced Cynthia Frank, who retired in September. The other position combines two jobs, one held by Mehl as Director of Personal Health, and one by Bill Hatfield, who is retiring in December. He currently serves as Director of Environmental Health.