THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 2008
Bogusz Intent On Serving Community
By BOBBY CHILVER
Journal Reporter
At just 21-years-old, Des Plaines resident Matt Bogusz has already given a lot back to his community, and he thinks that's just the way it should be.
"I've always been a believer that you can't just live in a community, you've got to participate in it," Bogusz said.
And he has certainly done just that.
Bogusz, a junior at Northwestern University, is a current member of the Des Plaines Library Board and Des Plaines Crimestoppers Board as well as a former member of the Special Events Commission. He is also active at the university, where he is the executive vice president of the student body.
"Between commitments on campus and in Des Plaines, I keep myself busy," Bogusz laughed. "But I like the challenge. I wouldn't do it if I didn't enjoy it."
He said he first heard about the special events commission opening from other board members and wrote a letter to the mayor to apply for the spot. He met with Mayor Tony Arredia and Arredia has appointed him to all three boards since.
During his time with the various boards, Bogusz said he has learned a lot from other members and feels they have done some very important things for the city.
On the library board he said strategic planning meetings have been very enlightening and he hopes the library can continue to offer more educational opportunities for residents.
As for Crimestoppers, Bogusz said his main goal is to get the program online so it has more opportunity to interact with residents.
Bogusz said he believes it's important for all local boards to continue with forward thinking and getting ahead of problems rather than being reactive to situations as they arise.
Bogusz will graduate from Northwestern next year with a major in Political Science, double major in International Studies and minor in Transportation and Logistics.
He said he hopes to get a job within his area of study but plans to continue his work within Des Plaines as well.
He also said he has been approached a couple times about his future plans within the city but said for now he's just concentrating on his current engagements. Bogusz added that he is humbled by the fact that many see him as a future leader of the city.
"I'm just going to see what's best for me and best for the city," he said. But until then it's safe to say Bogusz will be keeping busy in Des Plaines.