- Why did you decide to run for trustee?
We’re living in tumultuous times with so much frustratingly beyond our control. Joining the Manhattan board is a step toward holding some sway on the future. Roads, infrastructure, urban planning, budgeting, common sense use of resources — this I can do. I’ve always pitched in where I can, and I finally have time to make a commitment of this magnitude and fulfill it in good faith. So I decided to try.
2. Have you held public office before?
No, and it’s already been a huge eye-opener. I began recon by attending civic meetings last year, discovering all kinds of misconceptions I held about local government. I’m actually chronicling what I’ve learned in a blog series — I can’t be the only one who’s been blithely living in the dark. This is one service I can do for my neighbors regardless of the election outcome. (Not sure if this allowed, but you can find it on www.ManhattanFirst.vote)
3. What is your background (length of time lived in Manhattan, education, career)?
I’m intimately familiar with Manhattan’s strengths, weaknesses and needs as a 23-year homeowner, mother of three, and 10-year local business owner. I’m a licensed Local 130 plumber with extensive construction management experience and currently work in the nuclear industry as a specialty contractor. With my husband, Jeffrey (retired Local 434 Carpenter), I’ve successfully built Gibbs Custom Gunsmithing from an idea to a SpaceX Cerakote partner in seven years. I’m a veteran of the Illinois Army National Guard (95B, Military Police). Before joining the union, I did freelance PR and graphic design, serving as Art Director of the Irish American News among others.
4. What community involvement, organization, affiliations, or club memberships do you have?
Currently most active with veterans and police organizations, providing low/no cost services to Manhattan American Legion Honor Guard (serving Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery), custom raffle prizes to New Lenox American Legion for Wounded Warriors In Action, and supporting Illinois and Will County FOP drives. Chamber of Commerce member. Countless volunteer efforts for the Girl Scouts (Troop leader, Service Unit event chair) and Manhattan Patriots back in the day.
5. What characteristics, qualifications, or experience do you feel you possess to be trustee?
#1: Dogged determination. We need to deal with the boundary agreements, NorthPoint looming and property taxes. I’ll find a way. #2: Dogged determination. Step 1: Find a great team. √ Done.
6. How can the village improve?
See above. Also, sidewalks and mailboxes for all! (Problematic, I’ve learned already, but I’ll still do everything I can to make it happen. Blog post on this coming soon.)
7. What are important issues you’d like to address and how will you address them?
Here’s the big picture: Manhattan is now on the leading edge of urban sprawl. “Civilization” spreads like a wave; each generation moves farther from home base where they can afford to plant roots. New Lenox and Frankfort are saturated; we’re the next place with space. Without question, cornfields will be gone. The only things that remain to be seen are how long it will take and what will replace them. Houses, windmills, warehouses? Two years or 10? Make no mistake, something is coming and probably sooner than later.
We need a plan. A real one; color palettes won’t cut it. The 2025 budget includes $138,275 for a Comprehensive Plan, which means an overall vision for the entire township area. (This is separate from the downtown plan also in progress, with a separate budget.) So far, $57,561.36 has been spent on this work in progress. I’ve seen it and it doesn’t make sense. For example, it proposes re-routing Rt. 52 EAST of it’s current position, while all the industry designations (and we know, warehousing coming our way) are WEST of it. The result is trucks driving between residential areas, then crossing through town to get where they’re going. How does that help? I’ll work with the Mayor, the board and the residents to create a Comprehensive Plan that is both sensible and workable, and we’ll get it started. We’re running out of time; this needs to happen. And I know I can be very useful on this front.
8. If elected, do you intend to make any changes with village staff, such as the administrator, finance, or police chief?
That would be above my pay grade, and I don’t have enough firsthand knowledge to meaningfully answer this question. Rest assured, if it appears change is needed, I’ll advocate for it. I do believe it’s better to coach staff in place than to start over with new personnel, if possible.
9. Do you have a plan to meaningfully impact property taxes, and if so, what is it?
Dave Beemsterboer has put together a realistic plan to freeze, and possibly reduce, the village portion of our property taxes. Bravo! I’ve recently learned most tax increases don’t come from the village as it happens (more in my blog series, referenced earlier.) Win or lose, I’ll do everything in my power to educate residents on how to take control of this. It’s not as obvious as it appears, but it can be done.
10. Why did you choose or choose not to run in a slate?
This was my first “political” decision, and it was not easy. I love and respect Mike (Naughton) but we’ve disagreed on many issues over the years. He broached the possibility, and I had to consider for some time. In the end, I decided to join the Manhattan First team because we complement each other: they have the know-how and experience I lack, while I bring a fresh perspective and fill some knowledge gaps. Most importantly, they are all known to me as men of integrity and we share the same goals. Win-win, I thought. Guess we’ll see. Thanks for reading if you still are, and whoever you vote for, go vote on April Fool’s Day 2025! (You really can’t make this stuff up, ha!)