Tiffany Stephens: 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: NapervilleWebsite: Stephensforcouncil.comOffice sought: Naperville City councilAge: 40Family: Husband, four childrenOccupation: Founder Vice President of Kids Teen Rider Not for Profit -501 c (3)Education: Private Investigation and currently working on Business DegreeCivic involvement: Mentoring (250) Teenage Girls in Naperville, Kids Teen Rider/Naperville Homeless Program; Provided Transportation services for District 204 Homeless Program, Provided Transportation for kids to Du Page AME Church for summer camp bible school. Providing Transportation for District 203 Teen Moms, assist Small Businesses by offering reliable transportation for working age kids. Providing transportation for kids to the Chicago Bears Youth Camp; supporting families who do not have vehicles. Providing Transportation for kids in need referred by Naperville Township and Naperville Cares. I am working in and with the community of Naperville five days a week fifteen hours a day; along with bringing my experience of diversity and perspectives to enhance the quality of life for every citizen of Naperville.Elected offices held: NoneHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NO.Candidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Smart spendingEnsure spending falls in line with serving the needs of the people of Naperville. I will work to direct spending towards the greater needs of the public. Thoroughly review the appropriation of public funds and will work with City Council to ensure competitive pricing on all goods and services.Key Issue 2 Small business growthWork with small businesses to provide the resources needed to grow and prosper. Recognize the critical role small businesses plays in job creation and lowering the unemployment rate. Introduce new businesses to grow the local economy and create strong economic ties with the City of Naperville. Key Issue 3 Door-to-door transportationImplement affordable door to door community transportation for kids and seniors. Service will increase mobility for seniors, including those who lack immediate access to public transportation. Create jobs and assist small businesses by offering reliable transportation for working age kids.Questions Answers The city has slashed dozens of jobs in the last year in an attempt to balance the budget. Do you see more of this in the future?The city employee's are the core of the city of Naperville. The city jobs are important to keep the city up and running; City Council needs to find another source on how to create revenue to balance the budget. Yes, I can see the city slashing more jobs in the future. I don't agree with this method.Based on your experience as council member or mayor, are there any programs that you already know you would seek to eliminate if you were to be elected mayor?What are your thoughts/concerns regarding the city creating a shuttle bus service to help seniors and others commute to and from the downtown and other popular locations?My thought and concerns are; The only way I believe the shuttle bus would help the seniors and others commuting to and from the downtown, and other popular locations is to have a survey go out to all the residents; find out what parts of Naperville that has the most traffic congestion; Then start finding out what local businesses and services organization in Naperville offers transportation. Have the city to partner with those small businesses this will allow the city to work together to help everyone and create new jobs and revenue for both parties and probably can help the Cities budget; Then put shuttle buses in subdivision that has the largest count of residents going to the train station to ensure their cars will stay parked in there drive ways, and will not be driven on the street for that particular day. The city recently purchased the site of the DuPage Children's Museum on the city's north side. Do you support leaving the museum in place or freeing up the potentially valuable real estate at the city's northern border for economic development?#160;I support leaving the museum in place. We must continue to support education and recreational programs that teach our youth today; along with giving them a place to go and socialize with their peers. What can be learned from the furor over the city giving police officers 3 percent raises then enacting layoffs? How should the city deal with its unions? Should it agree to raises when it knows layoffs will be a result?What can be learned is never commit to something not knowing if it will have heavy consequences later.The city should sit down with the unions, and workout a year to year contract that both parties agrees on, and neither party can break that contract agreement until it ends.NO.