City council may now have a little more financial savvy.

Tom Teresinski was appointed as the 2nd Ward alderman at the Sept. 8 DeKalb City Council Meeting. The spot was vacant because former 2nd Ward Alderman Kris Povlsen replaced Mayor Frank Van Buer after his death this summer.

Teresinski said he thinks Mayor Povlsen chose him because they have worked together in the past, and Povlsen knows about his experience.

Teresinski moved to DeKalb over 30 years ago. He has been involved with DeKalb School District 428 for 20 years. He was the vice president of the school board for two years, then the president for two years. He said his job as school board president was more time-consuming than his weeks as an alderman, but an alderman has the responsibility of representing an entire ward of people.

“President of the school board was a little more demanding, but the aldermen have more varied issues that come up,” Teresinski said.

The new alderman has worked closely with Povlsen in the past, so the mayor knows what Teresinski can accomplish.

“I had worked with Kris before on school-related projects,” Teresinski said. “He was aware of me and I think he contacted people he thought would be a good fit. I think he just went to the council and some discussion led to the choice of myself.”

Teresinski said he was chosen because of his extensive financial background.

“I think it is the financial background in particular that is what Mayor Povlsen was looking for,” Teresinski said. “I’ve got 30 years in the financial background.”

Povlsen said Teresinski stood out from other candidates that were considered.

“There were some very, very good candidates out there, but Mr. Teresinski’s background is in finance and he was on the school board; served as president,” Povlsen said during the Sept. 8 meeting. “He was on our finance committee. I think Mr. Teresinski will bring a wealth of financial information, that we’re needing obviously, to this council.”

Teresinski said during the Sept. 8 meeting that he was introduced as alderman, “I am no Kris Povlsen.”

He later explained, “Kris has a wealth of experience on the council and he’s very gracious and handles his experience quite well. It will be difficult to fill those shoes.”

The alderman said his plans in the 2nd Ward include keeping the economy in the forefront. He said with the way the economy is right now, it will be a big issue for the council. He said he also wants to concentrate on responsible growth for the city.

Teresinski is unsure whether he will run for an alderman position in the upcoming election. He said a decision will be made after the first of the year.