Arlington Hts. mayor to help lead Metra.(News)

CORRECTION/date 09-09-2005: A story in some editions of the Daily Herald Thursday incorrectly stated the first name of former state Sen. Kathleen Parker and misspelled the last name of former state Rep. Margaret Parcells. Both are potential candidates for an open seat on Metra's board of 

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Arlington Heights Village President Arlene Mulder is set to be named to Metra's board of directors today. 

Replacing an original Metra board member, W. Warren Nugent of Kenilworth, who died on Aug. 15, she will serve until his term expires in June. 

Mulder was the only candidate considered Wednesday by the seven suburban county commissioners who appoint the three Cook County members on Metra's board. 

"I'm thrilled," Mulder said Wednesday, cautioning that nothing is definite until today's county board vote is taken. 

She said she'll be on hand for that vote because "I figure if I'm there physically, it'll be harder for them to change their minds." 

Mulder said she was asked how important she considers equity of train service, her openness to new ideas and new ways of doing things, regional thinking, and the potential for a universal fare card that could be used on Metra, Pace and the Chicago Transit Authority.
Mulder said she wasn't directly asked whether she would support replacing Metra Chairman Jeffrey Ladd - whom some county commissioners oppose for what they perceive as an anti-Cook County bias - but whether she'd be open to a change of leadership. 

Mulder said she replied that she looks at issues as they come, and if change must happen, she'd be open to it based on consensus of the Metra board. 

"It's premature to say anything more," Mulder said. 

As a Metra board member, Mulder will get a $15,000 annual salary and be eligible for Metra's medical benefits. 

Commissioners said Mulder was an ideal candidate for the northern Cook County seat based on her work with regional groups like the O'Hare Noise Compatibility Commission and Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, and her work to modify the new federal train horn rule so commuter trains don't blast suburban downtown residents' ears. 

"She's a very qualified, very competent woman," said Commissioner Gregg Goslin, a Glenview Republican. "She's got an excellent reputation." 

Commissioners said Mulder did a great job campaigning for the seat by meeting with them one-by-one and scoring an early commitment from Commissioner Carl Hansen, a Mount Prospect Republican. 

Other names floated as potential replacements were former state Sen. Nancy Parker of Northbrook, William Durkin of Riverside, former state Rep. Margaret Purcells of Northbrook and Cook County Republican Chairman Gary Skoien.