Barbara L. Thornbury: 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: WarrenvilleWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Warrenville Alderman, Ward 3Age: 46Family: Married to Brad since 1988, three children: Jessica, Jack and BenjaminOccupation: Self Employed. Own Big Hearts, Little Hands, an independent teaching company which specializes in parent/children classes designed to help parents learn to teach their children in a fun, relaxed atmosphere.Also substitute teach for District 200Education: B. S. in Biochemistry from Purdue University, 1988Civic involvement: Commissioner for the Warrenville Park District since 1999, President of Board since 2002Member of the Warrenville Lions Club since 2007, current PresMember Warrenville Women's Connection 1988-1999, 4 term PresAmerican Cancer Society Relay for Life Committee 2008-20104th of July Committee Beer Tent Co-coordinator since 2007Weekly Volunteer at Discoveries Resale Shop in WarrenvilleElected offices held: Board of Commissioners for the Warrenville Park District, 1999 to Current. President since 2002Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: noCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Key issues within Ward 3 that need to be addressed are the flooding of Warrenville and how the County is responding, the continual power outages that inconvenience the citizens, the lack of adequate sidewalks and street lights especially in key areas leading up to Bower and Hubble, and lack of retail development in the downtown area.Key Issue 2 Increased transparency, increased ethics standards and better response times of local government. Better useage of technology as a means for delivering and accessing information for tax payers.Key Issue 3 Getting the citizens more involved with their local government so that the elected officials have a better understanding of the needs, wants and desires of those that they serve. This will also increase communication between politians and citizens.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I'm extremely conservative with the tax payers dollars, I believe politicians should be held to higher ethical standards and live that belief, I am always there for the tax payers and don't stop until I get the answer that they are looking for, and I have poured my heart and soul into this community for 20 years and will continue to do so.Given the delicate balance between the need for revenue and over-taxing local businesses, what is your opinion of your community's present level of local sales taxes? Is the tax just right, too low or too high? Explain.We enjoy a high level of public service in the form of excellent snow removal, proactive police department, excellent roadways, accessibility of city staff and more. To reduce the tax level would require us to cut back on some of these services and I believe that would be difficult to do at this time. We also have very successful businesses in town that are doing well revenue wise.Talking with your friends and neighbors, what seems to be their biggest public safety concern? Explain the concern as you see it, and discuss how you think it should be addressed.Currently, the flooding issue in Warrenville appears to be the biggest safety concern in Ward 3. Although the County has made what it believes is some effort to address this issue, we are a long way from getting any resolution and determining the best solution. The City needs to continue to address this issue and keep it in on the agenda.In these tight economic times, municipal budgets have to be prioritized. Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?The use of electronic media for information distribution could result in a paper reduction. Also look at money for bike paths and determine if they could be placed in areas where there are no sidewalks for our school children so that both could be served. Set up incentives for citizens to volunteer in public areas to reduce staff costs for maintaining public areasWhat's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?As a City, offer rain barrels at reduced costs with free classes about water management to educate people on the benefits. Approach the Forest Preserve about land useage for a Community garden with composting area where leaves could be dropped off. The Community Garden could also produce fresh produce for the local food pantry.