1. Why did you decide to run for trustee?Dealing with the prior administration and board and the lack of transparency. I felt someone needed to run to be the voice for the residents and not let them get pushed to the wayside.
2. Have you held public office before? Not before 2020 when I was first elected.
3. What is your background (length of time lived in Peotone, education, career)? I’ve lived in Peotone my whole life and my mom is well known in the community. I graduated from Peotone High School in 2006. I worked at Nucor steel from 2006-2009 where I was on the melter floor as a stocker, but was trained as second helper, 1st helper, crain and ladleman. I then worked at AAA tree service from 2009-10 as a laborer, then I went to the Village of Beecher Public Works from 2010-2021 where I was a maintenance worker, got my class 4 wastewater license, general standers and mosquito applicator license, along with being assistant Foreman. I currently work as a construction superintendent for a general contractor where I am responsible for planning and working with contractors to get the job done efficiently and safe.
4 What community involvement, organization, affiliations, or club memberships do you have? I’m a member of the Historical Society, Christmas in the Village Commission, and regularly attend the Tractors for a Cure and Post Prom Cash Bashes along with the FFA auctions.
5. What characteristics, qualifications, or experience do you feel you possess to be a trustee? I’m understanding and willing to listen, but also willing to stand up for what’s right and make sure the residents don’t get taken advantage of. I also put my own feelings aside on subjects if the residents want something different. I believe as trustee, I’m here to be the voice of the residents.
6. What do you think the Village needs right now and what would be the first thing you would do if you’re elected? I think the Village needs to be more open to the residents. There are many residents that I’ve talked to and when asking them to come to a board meeting, they decline because they are afraid of retaliation from certain members of the board. I think we need to start fresh and let the residents know we are here for them. If they come in calmly and want to have a conversation; their concerns will be heard without retaliation. The first thing I plan on doing is working with the administrator, Public Works Superintendent and Police Chief to make sure they have all the equipment and tools needed for the Village to be running smoothly. Also, I’d work with the new members of the board to ensure things get done.
7. What are some long-term goals you would like to see the Village complete? I’d like to see the sidewalk finished on Peotone Wilmington Road and Rathje, along with a walking path to the other side of 57 along the Easeman road. I’d also like to bring more businesses in to keep residential costs down.
8. What do you feel the Village needs to improve and why? Transparency, roads and sidewalks. As stated above, transparency for the public. A lot of roads on the south side of town need to be fixed; they are in rough shape and a lot of places in town the sidewalks are in need of repair or not existing at all.
9. What are important issues you’d like to address and how will you address them?I think all that I stated are important issues above, but I can’t say enough about listening to the residents. I hear more and more about the downtown layout from the residents. Which I voted down because of what I heard from the community. But they either didn’t want retaliation or got told the Village is going to do what they’ll want. They won’t listen to us; which is sad to hear.
10. The mill is the feature point of the town and in disrepair. The mill was deeded to the Village but all the land surrounding it is privately owned. How would you address the mill’s needs given the lack of revenue and situation? And what long term future plans would you have for the mill? I enjoy the mill, that’s why I became a member of it. I think it has great historic value to the town. I think the Village should’ve had a line item for the mill when they took it over for repairs and maintenance, but we are past that point. I think the Village and Historical Society need to meet with other towns that have similar mills and see what they did for funding or grants for the repair. A great long term plan would be for the Village to acquire the property around and behind the mill to have events there and bring in tourism.