New Sandwich City Council 3rd Ward aldermen ready to serve

Recently retired after a lifetime working in masonry, Bill Fritsch was open to a new challenge when away from his drumsticks.

Sandwich Mayor Todd Latham appointed Fritsch earlier this month to fill a vacant 3rd Ward alderman’s seat on the city council.

“I thought this would be a good way to stimulate my brain,” Fritsch said. “I didn’t seek this position, but a couple people who I really respect asked me so I figured I’d better step up and see what I can do.”

The 66-year-old Fritsch, who plays drums in the local band Redhorse, said he’s excited to learn more about the inner workings of the city.

“I worked at Northern Illinois University for 20 years and served as a foreman at times so I learned a lot,” he said. “I know about dealing with administrations so that should help me. I was a lifetime mason so they’d like to have me be the liaison for the street department but we’re waiting to figure that out with (committees and) the Open Meetings Act.

Prior to his time at NIU, Fritsch worked as an inspector for Sandwich and was self-employed running Fritsch Masonry.

“Many of the homes and buildings in the area were built and repaired by him,” Latham said of Fritsch. “He was born and raised in Sandwich. He has four children and a dozen grandchildren with five of them in Sandwich schools and two more to enter in the fall.”

Also recently appointed as a 3rd Ward alderman was Brent Holcomb. Holcomb’s appointment was one of Mayor Rich Robinson’s last actions before completing his mayoral term. Robinson appointed Holcomb on April 28 to replace Shane Surratt who resigned.

“We live down at the dead end down by the (Sandwich) Fairgrounds and it’s beautiful,” Holcomb said. “It’s a dead-end street and the kids love it. It’s quiet and safe and we want to keep it that way.”

A 1999 graduate of Somonauk High School, Holcomb, who works as an electrician, has lived in Sandwich with his wife, Jilliane, a 1998 graduate of Sandwich High School, and their children for a dozen years.

“We actually moved from Aurora at the same time and we’ve both been out here for around the same time for 20-some years,” he said. “I’ve known a lot of things in town. My mom is retired from the police department. She worked there for years and retired three years ago. I was on the fire department, too, and have always been in touch with the town.

Referring to the council, Holcomb said, “It’s every week here, and that’s the thing. There are a lot of people that want things done, but don’t stand up and say it. I know there are things on my agenda that I’d like to see get the ball rolling and they’re not going to do it themselves. So we’ve got to be an advocate for them. I’m here to do whatever I can do to help out our city and our fellow aldermen and alderwomen.”