EDWARDSVILLE - Madison County Treasurer Frank Miles said Monday at his swearing-in ceremony that he would support programs to make it easier for homeowners, notably senior citizens, to pay their taxes.
He also promised to reach out to the community to make the tax-paying process more understandable.
"We can't wait for things to happen; we have to make things happen," Miles said, borrowing a phrase from his political mentor, U.S. Rep. Jerry Costello, D-Belleville.
Miles, 50, was sworn in on the first day of government business after the retirement of Fred Bathon, who left office at the end of 2009.
Miles was supervisor of the Madison County Planning and Development Department and has spent his entire career in government.
Miles was appointed Dec. 1 to fill the office until next November's general election. He has filed to run in the Feb. 2 Democratic primary for the spot on the November ballot to fill out the remainder of Bathon's unexpired term, which ends in 2012.
Miles promised Monday to operate an open and scrupulously honest office.
The County Board approved Chairman Alan Dunstan's recommendation to appoint Miles to fill the post Jan. 1. Bathon left Dec. 31.
Miles, 49, is a native of Granite City and lives in Edwardsville. He is the former congressional district chief of staff for Costello. He has served as planning director for the city of Edwardsville, comptroller and finance officer for the Madison County Circuit Clerk's Office, and as city administrator and economic developer for the city of O'Fallon.
By SANFORD J. SCHMIDT
The Telegraph
