Six months ago, Macomb native Blake Severs took over as executive director of the Macomb Park District, and with the departure of other staff, Severs has built a new district staff, with seasoned pros who have lived and worked here for several years, and a few who now call Macomb home.
The Community News Brief sat down with staff to learn more about them, their role and their goals for the district, as well as their respective jobs. This is the first of two parts.
Stephen Druse: Superintendent of Support Services
Druse, who hails from Coal City, graduated from Coal City High School and Western Illinois University, where he earned his bachelor's degree in recreation, park and tourism administration. His role with the Macomb Park District is his fourth position in the field since graduating from WIU. Prior to joining the local district, he was an Interpretive Park Ranger with the National Park Service at Mount Rushmore. Druse joined the Macomb Park District in October 2025.
Q: What are your job responsibilities?
A: I'm essentially in charge of making sure that we don’t get sued! I lead any and all efforts related to safety and security within the park district, including running the Courtesy Patrol and conducting maintenance checks on vehicles and facilities.
Q: What is the favorite part of your job?
A: Once I month I go on rounds to check fire extinguisher pressure, smoke detector batteries, first aid kit stocks, etc. I get to make a day of going around to my favorite places in the town, and I always have a lot of fun doing it.
Q: Why are local events and programs/a local park district important to a community/ quality of life?
A: Park districts are all about bringing people together through recreation and leisure. Being able to sit back and enjoy nature by yourself, with your family, or with a group is a great way to build harmony in the individual and the community.
Q: What are your goals, and what new programs have you implemented and/ or are planning to implement? How do you come up with new ideas?
My main goal is to make sure our parks stay safe and secure, but I’m also leading a multi-year plan to help reduce Macomb’s light pollution so we can be designated as an International Dark Sky Community!
Q: Do you have a personal philosophy/motto you live by?
A: 'Leave the world a better place than you found it.'
Q: What would people be surprised to learn about you, and when you're not working, what do you like to do in your spare time?
A: During my time at Mount Rushmore, I gave the July 4th evening program. Rushmore’s evening lighting ceremony is the largest single program in the National Park Service, and I got to deliver a handmade speech to a crowd of over 2,500 people! I love to hike in and around the area, and travel whenever I can. I also love to cook and read.
Julie Flynn: Office Manager
Flynn was born and raised in Macomb, graduated from Western Illinois University with her Bachelor of Arts degree, and has lived and worked in her hometown for much of her career.
She has been at the park district for almost five-anda- half years. Before joining the park district, she worked as activity director at Wesley Village, as a stay-at-home mother and as an office manager for a Macombbased medical office. She was ready for a career change, and with that, she joined the park district.
Q: What are your job responsibilities?
A: Clerical, payroll, invoices, entering programs/ schedules, and anything else to keep the office running efficiently.
Q: What is the favorite part of your job?
A: Getting to know the people who participate in all of our programs and my wonderful co-workers!
Q: Why are local events and programs/a local park district important to a community/ quality of life?
A: It brings people of all ages out to enjoy others company and promotes community and physical and mental health.
Q: In your role, what are your goals?
A: I will continue with positive vibes and to do the very best I can at all times. I will continue welcoming all with a greeting and a smile!
Q: Do you have a personal philosophy/motto you live by?
A: 'Never give up!'
Q: What would people be surprised to learn about you? And when you're not working, what do you like to do in your spare time?
A: I love to bake! I LOVE being with my four grandchildren!
Chris Frankhauser, Business Manager Frankhauser, a Macomb born-and-raised resident, is the 'senior' member of the staff, being a part of the Macomb Park District staff since he was a teen.
When we took photos for this piece, he joked that he's 'part of the furniture' at the district office. He joined the park district part-time over 30 years ago as scorekeeper when he was still in high school, and later as a janitor, eventually moving into a full-time position in the maintenance department.
A Macomb High and WIU graduate, as the business manager for the Park District, he is responsible for the district's finances and on-site technology support.
Q: What was your first job, and what brought you to the Macomb Park District?
A: My first full-time job was sales, DJ and sports broadcaster at WKAI radio, and I was working part-time at the Park District as a janitor as well. But the first job I had with the district was as a scorekeeper back in high school starting in 1987.
Q: What is the favorite part of your job?
A: The staff. We have a great staff! We are a small, but we are mighty! And I also enjoy helping our patrons, as well as working on an issue and coming up with a solution.
Q: Why are local events and programs/a local park district important to a community/ quality of life?
A: Having a local park district provides low-cost spaces for relaxation and stress reduction, and having events strengthens the community. In these times of everyone rushing around, I think is important to have parks that people can go to and relax.
Q: In your role, what are your goals, and what new programs have you implemented and/or are planning to implement? How do you come up with new ideas?
A: Keeping our computer network current and staying on top of the latest security issues with the help of our IT company we use, and balancing the district's finances to make improvements and better the district while keeping the finances at a healthy level.
As for new ideas, we reach out to other park districts of similar size and see if they have experience with whatever idea or process, we are looking into. I'm always looking to find ways to simplify things for our staff and for our patrons.
Q: Most successful venture (in your opinion) to date?
A: Events: Movies in the Park and our Little Lunchers Program. Little Lunchers has been held for more than 30 years! I've also been here to see the construction of the Lakeview Nature Center, Veterans Park & the Patton Park revitalization.
Q: Do you have a personal philosophy/motto you live by?
A: Always be honest. Also don’t be afraid to try new things.
Q: What would people be surprised to learn about you? And when you're not working, what do you like to do in your spare time?
A: Have been broadcasting local sports since the early 1990s (Radio-WKAI & WJEQ and now on YouTube-TSSR GameTime Live). I'm a huge Star Wars fan, and have appeared at our Star Wars events at Ball Fore as Darth Vader. Spending time with my grandchildren (6, #7 will be here later this year) and going to their activities. Non-winter months, being outside, gardening.
Stephen Druse
Julie Flynn
Chris Frankhauser,
