Funeral Mass Held for Jaclyn Santos-Sacramento, 'a Joyful Child'

About 100 people attended the funeral service Tuesday for the 5-year-old Highland Park girl who was killed last week when she was hit by a car on Central Avenue.

With his eyes clenched shut, Highland Park City Manager David Knapp knelt behind a pew to pray at the beginning of Jaclyn Santos-Sacramento's funeral mass on Tuesday morning. Just then, a young Hispanic boy crawled along the pew and looked at him, puzzled. The child was one of many at a service where another child was the focus: Jaclyn was 5 years old when she was hit and killed by a car while walking on the Central Avenue sidewalk with her mother and two brothers on Labor Day. An 18-year-old Highland Park resident has been charged with driving under the influence during the crash. Jaclyn Santos-Sacramento: The Story So Far Though the tragedy shook the community, the children at Tuesday's service still didn't quite grasp it, even with …

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Highland Park Gets New Deputy City Manager

Former Buffalo Grove Deputy Village Manager Ghida Neukirch starts working for the city August 1.

Buffalo Grove’s deputy village manager resigned this week after 13 years with the village to accept a similar position in Highland Park. Ghida Neukirch said her move is a “wonderful opportunity” to work in what she described as “a progressive municipality.” “I think the hardest part about it is leaving friends and people who I respect so much,” she said. Highland Park City Manager David Knapp told the Daily Herald he was looking forward to Neukirch joining the city's staff. “She has a great resume and great experience there in Buffalo Grove," Knapp said. "She is a good match for the kinds of things we’re looking to have done here. She comes across very well and was highly recommended.” Neukirch was hired by Buffalo Grove in 1999 as an …

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Highland Park to Get New Finance and Public Works Directors

Selecting these directors will be a priority when David Knapp takes office as city manager May 13.

Letters to the Editor

Mayor Announces New City Manager

David Knapp will be appointed at the March 12 City Council meeting.

The City Council and I are pleased to announce plans to appoint David Knapp as Highland Park's next City Manager. David is currently the City Manager for Cupertino, Calif., a position he has held since 2000. He has previously served as the City Manager for Los Gatos, California and Boulder, Colorado. David holds a Masters Degree in Systems Management and a second Masters Degree in Education, both from the University of Southern California. We were impressed with David's credentials and experience in cutting-edge city management, community building and intergovernmental partnerships. He shares the top priorities we all have: providing high quality service, keeping costs low and fostering constructive two-way communications. His incredible …

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