Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Personnel Changes topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Village of Jackson honors two long‑serving department directors at meeting
Summary
The Village Board adopted resolutions honoring Kelly Valentino, director of parks and recreation (24 years), and Brian Kober, director of public works (27 years), and trustees and residents paid tribute during public remarks.
The Village of Jackson Village Board on March 11 adopted two retirement resolutions honoring long‑time staff: Director of Parks and Recreation Kelly Valentino, recognized for 24 years of service, and Director of Public Works Brian Kober, recognized for 27 years of service. Both resolutions were introduced, seconded and approved by voice vote.
The significance: the board read formal resolutions and several trustees, staff and residents offered thanks and personal remembrances highlighting each director’s contributions to parks, recreation, public works projects, and long‑range community planning. The resolutions detail institutional achievements that the board said "have greatly contributed to the safety, sustainability, and modernization" of the village.
Kelly Valentino: the board introduced Resolution 2059 honoring Valentino’s work to expand parks and recreation services, establish the Parks and Recreation Department, and deepen partnerships with the West Bend School District, Washington County Boys & Girls Club, Kettlebrook Church, and the Aging and Disability Resource Center. Valentino told the board, “Serving the Jackson community has truly been a privilege and a pleasure for me,” and thanked trustees, staff and community partners. The resolution was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.
Brian Kober: the board introduced a separate resolution recognizing Kober’s 27 years of service as director of public works and village engineer. The resolution cites major projects including reconstruction and resurfacing of Highway 60, management of numerous subdivision developments and utility extensions, and the village’s Tree City USA designation across multiple years. Kober remarked on values that guided his career: “3 things are very important in my life is number 1 is God, work, and then family,” and thanked the village for the opportunity to serve. Trustees and several residents praised his project work, institutional knowledge and long‑term planning contributions. The resolution was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.
Board and community remarks: multiple trustees and residents spoke in support of both honorees. Remarks thanked Valentino for expanding community programming and park infrastructure and Kober for infrastructure projects, boundary agreements, utility extensions and long‑range vision. The board noted the difficulty of replacing the institutional knowledge each director contributed.
Ending: Both resolutions passed by voice vote. Board members said staff will coordinate recognition activities and administrative transition planning for departmental continuity.
