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Bob Howard
Bob Howard honored as top township supervisor in Illinois  Share
Bob Howard is very passionate about his job as Washington Township supervisor. For him, it's much more than a position; it's a way of serving his community. ''He's very passionate about his job and doing what is right,'' said Joanne Mueller, who serves as deputy clerk, dispatcher and office manager for the township. It was Howard's passion and genuine concern for the community that prompted Mueller to nominate him as supervisor of the year. Howard was caught completely by surprise when he received the award at the Townships of Illinois (TOI) annual education conference in Springfield on Tuesday, Nov. 10. Along with serving as township supervisor for the past five years, Howard works full-time as a carpenter and volunteers his time for a variety of organizations and committees. He is affiliated with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); TOI; SKYWARN, a National Weather Service unit; the community emergency response team and the Beecher 4th of July commission.
Howard supports the following local organizations: village of Beecher; Beecher police and fire departments; PACK, an organization supported by the village police department that reaches out to local youth; the local chamber of commerce; Lion's Club; and school district; the Open Space Initiative; and foundation for a Green Community. Mueller said Howard has achieved many great accomplishments and brought greatly needed services to Washington Township over the past few years. For instance, Howard organized the Regional Transit Authority (RTA) transit for Washington Township. He pursued and received several matching grants for the township from the RTA. As of Sept. 1, Washington Township offers a low cost senior transit five days a week. Howard also serves as one of the volunteer bus drivers. Mueller commended Howard for organizing a general assistance program and ensuring that low income residents in the township receive general assistance checks in a timely manner. ''He even has me call and check on families receiving general assistance to find out how they are doing,'' said Mueller. In the last several years, Mueller said Howard has applied for and received approximately $110,000 in grants for the township. Mueller also praised Howard's work with seniors. Along with helping with the first low cost senior transit program, Howard organizes a senior breakfast during the spring and fall. Elected officials have volunteered to attend and speak to seniors about safety, health, circuit breakers and the process and organizations that offer seniors assistance with their bills. Howard organized a senior prom for residents, aged 65 and older, for the past two years; hosts a casual fall dance and is in the process of organizing a senior identification program in the township for the seniors. The seniors will stop by the township to have their photographs taken, and the township will periodically call them to check on their well-being. Howard supports the efforts of the Foundation for a Green Community in its efforts to pursue a self-funded dog park in the township. Most recently, Howard is in the process of organizing ''Artists of the Month.'' Local photographers and artists will be able to submit their framed work for display at the township center. ''He's a friendly, caring man and a great boss,'' said Mueller. Lynn Dill is a reporter for Russell Publications.
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