Highland In the News

Alex Brown spent the last two weeks of his 28-year career as Highland Parks and Recreation Superintendent training his replacement.

The Parks and Recreation Board has named Tim Diamond, who has spent the last 10 years helping lead the Griffith Park Board, as the new superintendent.

Diamond knows he has big shoes to fill.

“Highland has a great parks and recreation program that has been built over the last 28 years by Alex Brown,” he said. “I’m looking forward to picking up where he left off. I’m planning on spending the first few months assessing what is here, finding efficiencies and creating a blueprint for where we want to grow.”

The Town Council has named Glenn Schlesser the new chief of the Highland Fire Department. Born and raised in nearby Lansing, Ill., Schlesser is leaving his position as Storm Lake Iowa Fire Chief to move to Highland.

“Highland has a reputation as being a stellar fire department,” said the married father of three – soon to be four – children. “I see opportunities to advance training and grow the organization.”

At the same time as the council and the fire department welcomed the new chief, they bid a fond farewell with deep gratitude to Acting Chief Mike Pipta, who will remain on the department, and Ken Mika, who after being a member of HFD for nearly 43 years, has decided to retire.”