Mayor Nicholas B. Blase has announced his retirement after 47 years of service to the Village of Niles.
In a letter to the community, Mayor Blase stated that he will “be retiring as Mayor of Niles on August 25, 2008.? The retirement is effective one day before the monthly board meeting to allow trustees to appoint an Acting Mayor to serve the remainder of Blase’s term (April 2009).
According to the letter, Blase “had no intention of running again because at 80 years of age and 47 years of mayoring, I am tired. I am retiring early so a mayor candidate can start campaigning now without the question, ‘Is Mayor Blase going to run again?’”
Blase went on to say that he will be endorsing a candidate later this year.
“I’m going to stay in Niles - get involved in the next mayor campaign and be available for anything the next mayor and Board want me to do. I have every confidence that our Niles Village Board will continue to provide service that is consistent with the past.”
In closing, Blase wrote, “It’s been my honor to serve you and our employees.”
The resignation will be dated August 25, 2008, at 5 p.m.