T-L Photo/GAGE VOTA Former Yorkville Village Council member Linda Mayhugh will take Ronald Emerson’s council seat due to him stepping down for health reasons.

YORKVILLE — After over 60 years on Yorkville Council Ronald Emerson has stepped down from his seat, and former council member Linda Mayhugh will take his place.

Emerson hasn’t been able to fulfill his duties due to his health. Following his resignation, council held a special meeting to discuss naming his replacement. Six residents threw their hats in the ring and, after much deliberation, the council named Mayhugh.

Mayhugh served for four years but decided that she believed she would be a much needed addition to the council.

“I was on council before, and I was on council with Ronnie and with the mayor, and with everything going on, I just figured I need to step in and hopefully help the village,” she said.

She added that her goal now that she is on council is to get people doing what they should be doing, instead of constantly picking fights with each other.

Mayhugh referred to Yorkville Mayor Sandy Reisbeck’s recent restraining order against Street and Sanitation Supervisor Jesse Cordery after their very public feud.

In February, Reasbeck fired Cordery, but he was reinstated by council after members deemed it an unjust firing. Following the firing, Reasbeck filed a protective order against Cordery but was denied by the court in March.

“When she lost the petition for that restraining order, I think that started to open up her eyes, because at this meeting, she’s been very cordial, and I think she knows I’m coming in to back those guys,” Mayhugh said. “Jesse’s one of the best, you couldn’t ask for a better person. And our village has just gone downhill, and we need to get it back the way it used to be.”

At the same meeting that Mayhugh was named as the new council member, Reasbeck made an unexpected motion to name Cordery as the village’s fire chief.

She said that despite the bad blood in the past she believes that he is the best for the job and wants to get past their problems.

Cordery said that he wants to get past his feud with Reasbeck and do what is best for the village.

“I’m incredibly honored to be appointed as the fire chief of our village,” Cordery said. “This role isn’t just about leading a department. It’s about protecting our neighbors, strengthening our bonds, and making sure every firefighter goes home safe after every call.

“I look forward to serving alongside every member of this department and leading each one of you with integrity, compassion, and a relentless commitment to safety and excellence,” he added. “Together we’ll keep raising the standard for what it means to serve the village.”