Kimberly Malay: Candidate Profile

Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioKey IssuesQA Bio City: St. CharlesWebsite: http://www.kimmalay.comOffice sought: St. Charles AldermanAge: 43Family: Husband - Jim, Daughter - KallinOccupation: Sales (self employed) OpticianEducation: High School Degree, Wheaton North High School, 1985Civic involvement: Near West Neighborhood Association, ChairmanFarnsworth Mansion Foundation, PresidentDowntown St. Charles Partnership, VolunteerRiver Cooridor Foundation of St. Charles, Vice Chairman SecretaryDowntown St. Charles Partnership Speakers Bureau, VolunteerYellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Walk, Vice Chairman Elected offices held: NoneHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Protecting the safety, wellbeing and property values of the residents of the 5th Ward and the city as a whole.Key Issue 2 Responsible and appropriate development/redevelopment that will enhance the quality of life for the residents of St. Charles and promote economic revitalization for the City.Key Issue 3 Fiscal responsibility and accountabilityQuestions Answers Explain whether you or do you not support the construction of the Red Gate Bridge project and the funding mechanism the city has established for its construction?With the recent completion of the Stearns Rd Bridge, the fact that we would not achieve the original goal of removing the truck traffic from Main St., the wide range of estimated cost figures to complete the bridge and the financial issues the City is facing, I don#146;t feel the bridge should be constructed at this time. Regarding the funding mechanism, I commend the City for being pro-active so many years ago and saving for the bridge over several years along with obtaining additional funds through various other resources, but I am not in favor of incurring additional debt for this project in this economic climate.How should the old St. Charles Mall property be redeveloped, if at all?I do favor redevelopment of the old St. Charles Mall Property. It is important that the property be redeveloped with a project that will be beneficial to the City especially economically and that won#146;t negatively impact the schools, city services and residents. Commercial development can accomplish this.Do you support the current vision new ownership has for Charlestowne Mall? What should the city do to help the vitality of the mall and the attractiveness of the Oliver-Hoffman property?Before judging the vision of the new owners of the Charlestown Mall I would prefer to sit down with them and have them explain their full vision to me so that I have an understanding of their big picture. As to the what the City should do to help the vitality of both properties, I think it is important to meet with both property owners together and discuss what they hope to accomplish, their issues and how all three parties can work together to make both properties successful. To save time and frustration I recommend the City also meet with the surrounding homeowners and determine what they would like to see there. There have been a few proposals on the Oliver - Hoffman property and the neighbors have turned out against those proposals. Once that information is gathered, a plan of action can be developed. The City can then assist in promoting the properties and possibly offer incentives if needed.The city is projected to finish the fiscal year with a small budget deficit. What, specifically, must the city do in the next fiscal year to avoid a deficit? Would you support the creation of new taxes to shore up the budget?The City needs to cut expenses like delaying projects that don#146;t need to be completed immediately and don#146;t hire firms to complete studies/projects that can be done by staff, to name a few. The City also needs to get pro-active on business recruiting and retention. The City has an Economic Development Director along with other organizations that receive funds to promote St. Charles to businesses. They need to be working together pro-actively to aggressively market/recruit new businesses and retain existing businesses. I am not in favor of creating new taxes unless there have been cuts made, all other options have been explored and it is absolutely needed.Explain your reasons for whether you do or do not support the creation of a stormwater management fee or tax in St. Charles to create funds to address flooding problems?I do not support the creation of this new fee/tax at this time. Residents, businesses, schools, and churches are already struggling and don#146;t need any additional fees/taxes added at this time. This new fee/tax could also force existing businesses to leave and deter new business from locating here, causing more financial issues for the City.