- Why did you decide to run for mayor?
As a lifelong resident of Crete, I want to continue to give back to my community and to the people who call Crete home.
- Have you held public office before?
I spent two years (1995-1997) on Crete’s Planning and Zoning Commission. I currently sit on the TIF Advisory Board and the TIF Joint Review Board. For the past 28 years (1997 to present), I’ve had the privilege of serving the residents as a Village Trustee. In my seven terms as Trustee, I’ve chaired public health, water and sewer, and currently, finance, license, and ordinance.
- What is your background (length of time lived in Crete, education, career)?
I’m a product of Crete public schools and graduated from Crete-Monee in 1981. I received a Bachelor of Science degree in finance from the University of Illinois in 1986. For the last 35 years, I’ve worked for a major airline.
- What community involvement, organization, affiliations, or club memberships do you have?
I have been active in the past with Crete youth baseball and football. I have worked with the Crete Cub Scouts. I am currently on the board of directors for Crete Country Christmas and am on the board of directors for Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 260.
- What characteristics, qualifications, or experience do you feel you possess to be mayor?
Having grown up in the community, I feel I know the village and the people well. I’ve worked hard to be a voice for residents who live here. My background on the Board will allow me to hit the ground running in the position. I have worked closely with Village President Einhorn for many years on the finances and operations of Crete and feel very confident the transition will be seamless.
- What do you think the village needs right now, and what would be the first thing you would do if you’re elected?
The village has been very well run for many years under the guidance of President Einhorn. I’ve worked with him and the department heads for years addressing the needs of the operation. I will continue to do that in the upcoming fiscal year to create a budget that lives within our financial means, while addressing the needs of the village.
- What are some long-term goals you would like to see the village complete?
I want to work with the incoming Board of Trustees to agree on a development plan for the remaining village owned property in the downtown area. We have some equipment and operational needs in the Fire Department that will need to be addressed in the coming years. Preserving local tax dollars from cuts in Springfield will be an ongoing challenge that we will need to be diligent at addressing.
- What do you feel the village needs to improve and why?
We need to try and get the community more involved in the village. We need to attract younger family’s that can sustain the quality of life that we have come to love. Getting residents to be invested in the community, shopping locally, and having pride in their neighborhood will only make Crete a stronger, more vibrant place to live.
- What are important issues you’d like to address and how will you address them?
Important issues means different things to different people. While many of the issues we’ve discussed are important to the long term success of the village, a resident needing a village service or having a problem that the village can help with are very important issues to them at the time. Working with the people who live here and being accessible to them are the keys to a successful operation. That is my commitment to the village.