Margaret Duer: 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: PalatineWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Palatine Clerk (4-year Term)Age: 65Family: Married, 3 children, 4 grandchildrenOccupation: retired English teacherEducation: Masters Degree in Leadership, St. Xavier University, 2002 Bachelors Degree in English, Northwestern University, 1969Civic involvement: Palatine Farmers' Market Palatine Sister Cities Association League of Women Voters, Palatine AreaElected offices held: Candidate did not respond.Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: No.Candidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Accurate, concise, accessible records managementKey Issue 2 Courteous, timely response to residents and customers-- The Clerk's Office is Information Central.Key Issue 3 Innovate to expedite services and reduce expense.Questions Answers Some communities have contracted out for certain services, such as snowplowing, to save money. What innovative methods would you propose to reduce your office's budget? Explain your answer.In some cases, bringing projects in-house is the more economical approach. The Clerk's Office maintains Village Code Book online, eliminating expensive outside code services and printing, and expediting access to the most up-to-date codes and ordinances. The Clerk's office will continue to seek cost saving measures.The state's revised Freedom of Information Act guidelines renewed focus on open government. Name one specific step you would take if elected to increase government transparency in your office.Electronic technology greatly increases immediacy of public announcements. I recommend more extensive use of Palatine E-News, maintaining a sensitive balance between privacy and right to know.Do you believe the village clerk should be an elected or appointed position? Please explain your answer.Residents in Palatine vote for only 3 Village officials, the Mayor, one district Councilman, and the Clerk. In the 1980's, residents voted to reduce the number of Village officials they elect by 5. They should not relinquish another elected position. Since the Clerk records the actions of the Council, it is essential that the Clerk be impartial.What steps would you take as village clerk to improve and increase the flow of information to residents?Again, I would increase the awareness of and subscription to Palatine E-News and expand the local E-News coverage. I would also work to have Village Council (and other tax supported board) meetings broadcast live on Dish and other networks to make public meetings available to residents beyond Comcast subscribers.If you are a newcomer, what prompted you to run for village clerk? If you're an incumbent, list your accomplishments or key initiatives in which you played a leadership role.In addition to Voter Registration available at the Village, it is available elsewhere by request and weekly at the Palatine Farmers' Market. Palatine Farmers' Market Organizer Manager for 22 years. Palatine Sister Cities Association Founder and Board Member since 1990.