Above / Past and present City Council members and Mayor Steve Chirico, front left, gathered to fete Reggie Lynch and Emy Trotz as the two women head toward retirement after 20 years of service to the City Council. Trotz left Dec. 26, followed by Lynch on Dec. 27, 2019.
City of Naperville prepares to welcome two new executive assistants
Update, Jan. 10, 2020 / On January 13, 2020, the City of Naperville will welcome Eric Pulia as the new executive assistant to Mayor Steve Chirico.
Pulia joins the City with a wealth of varied government experience, most recently as a grants research specialist for the Chicago Police Department. Prior to this, Eric served as a police officer on the streets of Chicago, human resources specialist with the U.S Army National Guard, campaign manager for an Illinois State Representative race, and finance clerk for the Village of Westchester.
On January 21, the City will welcome Miranda Barfuss as the executive assistant to the City Council.
Most recently Barfuss served as the Director of Development for TriCity Family Services. She has a long history of serving nonprofits in the region, including prior positions at the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago and Loaves & Fishes Community Services. A Naperville resident, she is actively involved in the community, most recently serving as the 2019 president of the Naperville Jaycees.
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Original Post, Dec. 20, 2019 / Friends, family and many fellow employees filled the atrium outside the Mayor’s Office in the Naperville Municipal Center Thursday afternoon with plenty of well wishes and applause for Emy Trotz and Reggie Lynch. When the year ends, the two women—fixtures for 20 years in the City Council and Mayor’s Offices—will begin their next big adventures during retirement.
Both dedicated employees have served under six different City Councils since 1999 when Naperville’s population was roughly 129,000. Trotz was hired by Mayor George Pradel. Lynch was selected to serve the eight city council members by Councilman Sam Macrane and Councilman David Fiore.
During “happy retirement” festivities, many current and past City Council members stopped by with fond farewells. Trotz’ last day is Dec. 26. Lynch leaves Dec. 27.
Folks also enjoyed the witty rhyming memories recited by City Manager Doug Krieger—but likely not quite as much as the community has appreciated the assistance of Trotz and Lynch whenever needed over the past 20 years.
Krieger’s remembrances are posted below, followed by a few additional photos.
Emy’s Poem
by Doug Krieger
Not a request but an order,
Emy gave me earlier this year,
“You’re doing a poem for me, Krieger,”
Message received “loud and clear.”
So here’s your stinking poem,
It was actually my pleasure,
For the last 20 years here,
You’ve certainly been a treasure.
During the 1990’s,
Your days you did fill,
At the Chambers of Commerce,
Both Lisle and Naperville.
But an opening arrived here,
Back in late Ninety Nine,
So we then started looking,
Your selection, it must’ve been a sign.
Twenty years ago,
August 2nd to be exact,
We made a great hire,
Who had a great impact.
You were an easy selection
Now that much is true
You sheparded George Pradel
Through his term, number two.
Then continued on through
Terms three, four, and five,
Super busy, lots of stress,
But you did more than survive.
And then a new Mayor,
In 2015, oh dear,
You trained him up well,
So it would appear.
Everyday different and busy,
But she never got mean,
Lots and lots to do,
For she was the liquor queen.
Each year, early July
Emy would disappear
Of course she’s at Ribfest
That, by now should be clear.
But Ribfest and Emy going south,
Now let’s take a look,
Ribfest to Romeoville,
And Emy, staying in the Brook.
Retirement life’s different,
Some may even say scary,
But it’s all good for Emy,
Cuz she’s got her Perry.
But it’s all over now,
It’s time for you to fly,
So I’ll just say we will all miss you,
Before I start to cry.
Reggie’s Poem
by Doug Krieger
What can be said about Reggie,
That most folks already knew,
Well, we can look back
Twenty years in review!
Poem number 2 always harder,
Rhyming’s tough, don’t you see,
I had to use all my good stuff on Emy,
Because she threatened me.
Working for eight bosses,
What could be worse,
You’d think after only a few years,
It’d be time for the hearse.
But she muscled through,
She handled it fine,
And I can relate,
‘Cuz I work for nine!
Another two-decade employee,
Great service in oh so many ways,
But Emy always claimed seniority,
She had an extra 28 days.
She’s worked with the worst,
But also the best,
And they always managed,
To put her to the test.
But knowing Reggie a little,
We found a person who cares,
Of course, after we learned that,
We finally let her work upstairs.
You were always there to schedule,
And tend to every need,
But now that you’ll be retired,
You can just sit home and smoke legal weed.
She has strong roots here
Before here she worked for the school
That’s a tidbit of knowledge
That I always thought was kind of cool.
Jeffries from NDP thought they deserved a basket,
Now wasn’t that nice and cute,
Appreciate the pressure Jeffries,
Now WE have to follow suit.
No ego, that’s important,
She serves as an inspiration,
Especially because I forgot to tell them
About Tuesday’s council meeting presentation.
She politely waved off the council meeting,
Her purpose was very clear,
She wanted to receive the award
When her hubby were here.
And it goes without saying,
We’re going to miss you a ton,
Now kick back, enjoy yourself,
And start having some fun.
Here are a few more photos…
*Current **Former mayors who returned to serve City Council.
