Beth Mallen: 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: Barrington HillsWebsite: http://www.restorecommonsense2011.comOffice sought: Barrington Hills Village boardAge: 63Family: Married,1 sonOccupation: freelance photographer- specializing in horse events: shows, three day eventing, fox hunting ,and Polo. Dog trials, basset hunting.Education: Candidate did not respond.Civic involvement: Active representative for Barrington Hills during McHenry County Board's approval of their 2030 Land Use Plan Active participant opposing Fritz Duda#146;s proposed #147;Barrington Farms#148; development at McHenry County ZBA hearings in 2006Current member of the Garden Club of BarringtonPast member of Riding Club of Barrington Hills Fox River Valley HuntSpring Creek Basset HuntElected offices held: Trustee,Village of Barrington Hills(2007-2011)Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NOCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 My top goal is to be the best advocate I can possibly be for the residents. Just as I have in my first term as a Trustee, I intend on being their voice on the Board of Trustees. I work for and represent the residents.Key Issue 2 My second issue is maintaining minimum 5 acre zoning in a sensible and logical manner.Key Issue 3 The third issue is developing strategies for preserving and protecting our groundwater supply.Questions Answers Describe your personal position on the outdoor lighting ordinance.My personal and public position is extremely clear #8211; I voted against the ordinance 3 times. I am also on the record as asking for this issue to go to the voters as a referendum. The ordinance simply wasn#146;t needed, and the message I was given by the residents was clear. They didn#146;t want it and I listened to them.Generally speaking, do you see the village of Barrington Hills as the product of strong regulation or as a bastion of individual property rights? Should the practices of the past be changed or maintained?I believe Barrington Hills is a combination of both. We have a well-structured Village Code. If something is no longer working, we need to change it. If it is working, we need to leave it alone. I see more of a problem with the Village not enforcing its existing code.Should the village's requirement of minimum 5-acre lot sizes be maintained or should land owners have the right to divide their property as they see fit?Barrington Hills was founded on the premise that, wherever possible, residential property would be a minimum of 5 acres. Plain and simple. Wherever possible. Our founders and past Trustees at times had to do modify this strategy on our borders in order retain land within the Village, and thus to keep the heart of the Village intact, as endorsed in our Comprehensive Plan. I support this logic as the best way to #147;lock in#148; our borders and not allow further loss of land from our borders due to de-annexations.Would the village benefit from a modest amount of commercial development? Where, if anywhere, should a commercial area of the village be established?No. There is no reason for the Village to encourage commercial development. There are many surrounding suburbs like Hoffman Estates and Algonquin which are appropriate sites for these businesses. Barrington Hills is, and should remain, a semi-rural open space community.Should equestrian uses of land within the village be further regulated?Equestrian activities have been a part of Barrington Hills for decades prior to its incorporation as a Village. I love horses and have participated in the equestrian community for years. As long as the horse and its owner comply with the current Home Occupation Ordinance, I see no reason for further regulation.