Editors Note: This story was updated to reflect that the vote for village president was 4-2, not 4-3. 

The Cambria Village Board of Trustees on May 5 elected a village president, voting 4-2 in favor of William Lo to serve in the role. The village had operated without a president for two months after former Village President Ron Modglin resigned in February amid controversy surrounding the village’s police chief. The village had attempted to elect a president during its previous three regular and special board meetings, but failed each time. 

The Daily Egyptian previously reported that the police chief admitted he shared a photograph with other people, and that he shouldn’t have done it, village records show. 

“I think I know what this is about and it’s about the photograph and I realize I shouldn’t have shown it to the others,” the chief told the village board, according to minutes from its Jan. 6 meeting.

The board in January voted to allow village attorney Webb Smith to investigate Boss’ conduct. Since then, the village’s government has faced turmoil. Three village officials resigned, and the village board found itself deadlocked over a vote in February to terminate Boss — a tie that was broken by then-Village President Modglin and resulted in the chief being retained, according to previous reporting by the DE. 

The Illinois State Police confirmed last month that there is an investigation of an allegation involving Boss. 

“I don’t know about the inner politics of each person, but clearly it is not working for everybody,” Lo told the board during its regular meeting on Tuesday. “So I am here as an alternative to see if y’all see me fit to represent you all.”

Lo said he has lived in Cambria for about seven years. He also volunteers for the Cambria Fire Department. Outside of Cambria, Lo works full-time as the director of the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce. He works part-time as a manager for his family-owned restaurant, New Kahala, in Carbondale. Lo is also running for the Illinois’ 59th Senate seat as an independent. 

Trustee Mike Ren asked Lo if he would have enough time to be mayor.

“I think the juice is worth the squeeze,” Lo said. “If you all trust me, we can get stuff done.” 

Lo later clarified that if he were to become a state senator, “it is normal for a state senator to be” a village president.

Trustee Suzzette Coffey, who motioned for Lo to become the new mayor, said she met him for the first time at the Tuesday meeting.

“I think he is probably the one person who is not invested in this mess that has been going on in our village,” Coffey said. “I think he is one person who is impartial to what is happening and could be impartial going forward to keep our village together.” 

One of the core responsibilities of the village president is breaking the tied votes of the board of trustees. 

In an interview with the DE, Lo said he was surprised about becoming the new village president.

“I’m a little surprised, not gonna lie,” he said. “I live in this community, and I love this community. I am willing to step up and make sure that we take care of everybody’s needs and that the community members are represented and looked after.” 

He said he decided to run a couple of weeks before the May 5 meeting.

“I’ve been watching the council meetings from afar,” he said. “Talking with different community members, they were like, ‘Hey, you should throw your hat in.’ I don’t know anybody on the board. I’m kinda surprised, but I am willing to take on the challenge.” 

Lo said his priorities as mayor included finishing a roundabout in town, ensuring parks and sidewalks are cared for and accessible and addressing empty storefronts. 

“We need to make sure that we recruit some business owners to invest in the community,” Lo said. 

Lo said he plans to unify the board.

“I plan to initially learn from all of them,” he said. “See what their views are, why they are divided and then learn from the previous board members. Then work to unify them. I believe we all want the best for Cambria. There are different ways to get there, and I think my job would be to unite them.” 

Lo will be sworn in on May 20, according to the agenda for that day’s special meeting.

Staff Reporter Brayden Guy can be reached at [email protected]

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