Skip to content
  • Subscribe
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Email
  • Home
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment
  • Features
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Clumns
Suburban Chicagoland

Suburban Chicagoland

Original News, Features & Opinion on local and regional news you won't find anywhere else

  • About
    • About
    • Advertise
    • Our Writers
      • Ray Hanania
      • Bill Lipinski
      • Biography: Aaron Hanania
      • Steve Metsch
      • Steve Neuhaus
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Reach Out
  • Sections
    • Events
    • Opinion
    • News
    • Features
    • Seniors
    • Comic Strip
  • Library
    • “MIdnight Flight” Online Book
      • Midnight Flight Book Overview
      • Midnight Flight Introduction
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 1
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 2
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 3
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 4
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 5
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 6
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 7
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 8
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 9
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 10
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 11
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 12
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 13
    • Villages, Cities & Towns
    • Federal Office Holders
    • County Officials
    • Legislators
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
  • Comment
  • Podcast
    • Ray Hanania on Politics
    • Two Guys on Politics
    • Hanania on Tiktok
  • News Wire
  • Toggle search form
  • Orland Township Trustee Lena Matariyeh joined with High School District 230 Trustee and newly appointed Orland Fire Commissioner Mohammed Jaber to put a spotlight on its important role in helping needy families.
    Orland Township Trustee Matariyeh joins School District Trustee Jaber in showcasing Food Pantry food
  • 05-23-25 Jeffery M. Leving
    Leving team court victory protected dad from crushing debt Dads' Rights
  • Jesse Jackson Jr July 2025
    In response to draft effort, Jesse Jackson Jr. forms Exploratory Committee to consider 2nd Congressional District run Chicago
  • OFPD responds to fire at the loading Dock of Marshalls Retail Store, 101 Orland Park Place Mall. Photo submitted by resident
    Quick Orland Fire response prevents Marshall’s fire from spreading, no injuries Fire
  • Attorneys Jeffery Leving Arthur Kallow
    Leving Matrimonial Law Seminar – Defending Orders of Protection Arthur Kallow
  • Police Blotter
    Orland Park Police Department Investigating Fatal Hit-and-Run accident
  • Taste of Orland Park 2025
    Taste of Orland Park Returns to Village Center with Food, Fun and Festivities Events
  • Orland Park Mayor Jim Dodge
    Exclusive interview with Orland Mayor Jim Dodge says former mayor left huge debt breaking news
  • Chicago Wovles play the Rockford Ice Hogs, Feb. 23, 2025
    Chicago Wolves hockey unveil 2025-26 Season schedule Chicago
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    Everything you need to know about your Property Index Number or PIN Blogger
  • Andrew Boutros US Attorney Illinois
    Suburban Chicago Man Sentenced to Two Years in Federal Prison for Threatening FEMA Employees and Law Enforcement Officers Crime
  • SeatGeek Stadium
    Chivas de Guadalajara and Club Leon to meet in Chicago Bridgeview
  • OFPD Trustee DJ Jeffers, COmmissioner Mohammed Jaber, Events and Safety Coordinator Betsy Dine and McDonalds Manager Doug Kwiatkowski join about 100 kids who participated at the Frozen with a Firefighter event Wednesday, July 9, 2025
    Frozen with an Orland Firefighter at McDonald’s Events
  • 05-23-25 Jeffery M. Leving
    Chicago dad’s court victory brought kidnapped daughter home Dads' Rights
  • Congresswoman Robin Kelly official photo
    Leading members of State’s Gun Violence Prevention Community endorse Robin Kelly for U.S. Senate elections

Acting no more

Posted on October 3, 2017 By Steve Metsch No Comments on Acting no more
SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  

Acting no more

Torres to head Summit Parks; Tala steps up in Lyons

Steve Metsch

After two years, Frank Torres can remove the “acting” from his title and replace it with “executive.”

Torres has been hired as the executive director of the Summit Park District. Board members made it official with a unanimous vote on Sept. 12.

As a result, his becoming executive director in Summit has a direct effect on Lyons. Torres had been part-time director of the Lyons Park and Recreation Department since 2015, the year he assumed the acting director’s job in Summit.

In his place, Ted Tala, Torres’ deputy director in Lyons since May, has been named acting director of that department.

Lyons Mayor Christopher Getty announced the changes at the Sept. 19 meeting of the village board’s finance committee. He thanked Torres for his years of service, and wished him well, adding that Tala is an excellent replacement.

At a recent event held at Summit Park, Torres, who lives in Countryside, said he’s excited to be named head of the Summit Park District.

“I’m very happy, very humbled for the board (members) to put their faith in me and make me full time,” said Torres who will earn $75,000 per year for his three-year contract.

Park Commissioner Tony Cervantes said Torres “has done a good job” in Summit. “I think it’s a good idea to have him here full time. It’s good for the community. The parks look a lot better than from years before thanks to Frank.”

Torres enjoyed his time in Lyons. “I learned a lot and I want to thank Mayor (Christopher) Getty for putting his faith in me back in 2012.”

Torres was full-time director of the parks and recreation department in Lyons from 2012 until 2015, when he went part time, doing both jobs in Lyons and Summit. Torres’ ties with Summit date from when some park board commissioners attended recreation events he had organized in Lyons, and liked what they saw.

During the finance committee meeting, Lyons Village Manager Tom Sheahan said Tala “has a strong background working with park districts.”

Getty said Tala did well running Lyons’ summer camp this year. Tala had worked for Brookfield’s summer camp for 10 years, and for the Normal Park District while a student at Illinois State University.

“Pretty much, his whole resume is parks and recreation. He was a natural,” Getty said.

Tala is “excited to hit the ground running.”

Tala is reviewing what has and has not worked in other municipalities. “Some things have jumped out at me, from seniors to toddlers,” Tala said Sept. 26 in his village hall office that overlooks Veterans Park.

One possibility is a movie night for kids at the village hall’s community room, he said. Another is an after-school study group, perhaps asking high school students to tutor elementary school students, he said.

Tala, 29, resides in Brookfield and enjoyed working with Torres.

“Frank showed me the ropes. He had me tag along to meetings, along with teaching me how to plan events like the Fourth of July and our Father’s Day car show,” Tala said.

Tala has one year left in his college education after leaving Illinois State to work in construction, as a gymnastics instructor at Flying High in Countryside, and with the summer camp in Brookfield.

— Desplaines Valley News

newswire info
  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Steve Metsch
Steve Metsch
Steve Metsch is an award winning veteran reporter who previously worked for the Daily Southtown Newspapers, Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times. Metsch is a writer and editor at the Southwest News Newspaper group based in suburban Chicago, and a freelance writer a health magazine, the Suburban Life, the Naperville Sun, and other organizations.
Email Steve Metsch at sm4610@sbcglobal.net
Steve Metsch
Latest posts by Steve Metsch (see all)
  • Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band are still rockin’ - August 10, 2023
  • Weathering personal storms - July 20, 2023
  • Countryside solution irks some - July 20, 2023
  • Tweet

SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  
 
 
 
           
News Tags:Christopher Getty, Frank Torres, Lyons, summit, Ted Tala

Post navigation

Previous Post: 10-year-old rides to the rescue
Next Post: Czech, Slovak & Bohemian culture showcased in Houby Day tradition

Related Posts

  • Press Release logo Suburban Chicagoland
    Matrimonial Law Seminar: Protecting Marital Property in Retirement Plans Arthur Kallow
  • Chicago RedStars at SeatGeek Stadium Nov. 2021
    Red Stars triumph in 1-0 victory, will play Thorns in Semifinal Cook County
  • Stevenson toll lanes a tough sell News
  • Frank J. Aguilar, nominated to succeed Jeffrey Tobolski who resigned last month as Cook County representing the 16th District.
    Mexican American activist and former state legislator Frank Aguilar named to succeed Tobolski Chicago
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas with elected officials and Arab community leaders at the Arab American Heritage celebration at Oozi Restaurant April 10, 2019. Photo courtesy of Anthony Caciopo
    Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas opens satellite office at St. Sabina Church Chicago
  • Midway Airport Airplane taking off. Flights, Planes, Travel
    WalletHub releases study of the Best Airlines for 2019 National

More Related Articles

Controversy in Lyons SD 103 News
state Rep. La Shawn K. Ford, D-Chicago Ford Introduces Legislation to Save Lives in the Opioid Overdose Epidemic Crime
McLaughlin blasts Pekau for using board meetings to promote his political campaign elections
Lyons village trustee resigns DuPage
Moraine Valley Community College’s Fire Academy wins award. Photo courtesy of Bryan Lowery Moraine Valley Fire Academy graduate earns state medal of valor Education
Chicago Wolves take Game 3 for 2nd win in the Calder Cup Finals 2022 over Springfield Thunderbirds. Chicago Wolves seize Calder Cup Finals lead over Springfield Thunderbirds Chicago

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Login with your Social ID
Subscribe to Ray Hanania's column graphic

Enter Your Email to Subscribe to Ray Hanania’s Columns

  • OPINION COLUMNS
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    Everything you need to know about your Property Index Number or PIN
    July 12, 2025
  • Jeffery M. Leving fights for your rights
    Chicago parents and other community leaders must work together to make sure this summer isn’t deadly for our children
    July 3, 2025
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    How Technology Changed the Cook County Treasurer’s Office
    June 27, 2025
  • Attorneys Jeffery Leving Arthur Kallow
    Honoring Fathers: A Father’s Day Reflection
    June 13, 2025
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    Understanding Cook County Property Taxes: A Guide for Homeowners
    June 13, 2025
  • 06-04-25 Two Guys on Politics Background Zoom LOGO with images
    Two Guys on Politics Podcast on Elon Musk, Trump’s Parade, LA Riots, and Middle East ban
    June 12, 2025
  • NEWS
  • Orland Township Trustee Lena Matariyeh joined with High School District 230 Trustee and newly appointed Orland Fire Commissioner Mohammed Jaber to put a spotlight on its important role in helping needy families.
    Orland Township Trustee Matariyeh joins School District Trustee Jaber in showcasing Food Pantry
    July 17, 2025
  • 05-23-25 Jeffery M. Leving
    Leving team court victory protected dad from crushing debt
    July 17, 2025
  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png
  • SPORTS
  • Chicago Wovles play the Rockford Ice Hogs, Feb. 23, 2025
    Chicago Wolves hockey unveil 2025-26 Season schedule
    July 12, 2025
  • SeatGeek Stadium
    Chivas de Guadalajara and Club Leon to meet in Chicago
    July 12, 2025
  • NEWS RELEASES
  • Orland Township Trustee Lena Matariyeh joined with High School District 230 Trustee and newly appointed Orland Fire Commissioner Mohammed Jaber to put a spotlight on its important role in helping needy families.
    Orland Township Trustee Matariyeh joins School District Trustee Jaber in showcasing Food Pantry
    July 17, 2025
  • Jesse Jackson Jr July 2025
    In response to draft effort, Jesse Jackson Jr. forms Exploratory Committee to consider 2nd Congressional District run
    July 15, 2025
John Kass Columns

Order the book PoweR PR; Ethnic Activists Guide to Strategic Communications

YOUTUBE VIDEOS

CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE TO RAY HANANIA'S YOUTUBE VIDEOS


Click here to view the video on YouTube or use the widget below.

Follow Ray Hanania at
Twitter
Facebook
TitkTok
BlueSky
RayHanania Columns

Creative Commons License
All works on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source.

Categories

Copyright © 2022 Suburban Chicagoland & Urban Strategies Group

Powered by PressBook Premium theme