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Alice Wilson: Candidate Profile

Lisle Township Clerk (4-year Term) (D)

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: BolingbrookWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Lisle Township Clerk (4-year Term)Age: 54Family: Two children and six grandchildrenOccupation: Administrative Law Judge (no pension) Attorney at LawEducation: Juris Doctorate (JD), John Marshall Law School,1990 B.A. Political Science, Alcorn State University, 1980Civic involvement: Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. Former Auxillary Head Apostolic Assembly (Focus on Youth Education and Future)Elected offices held: NoneHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: Never been arrested and convicted of a crime.Candidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Transparency, open communication and accessible to residents/voters. If elected Lisle Township Clerk, I will be present at the office several days a month to meet greet residents to answer their questions and concerns.Key Issue 2 Progressive communication between democrats and republicans that is non-partisan to work towards better management of township assets and resources.Key Issue 3 Setting goals that are clearly in the best interest of Lisle Township residents. These goals would include an open bid process (do away with no-bid) to allow small businesses within Lisle Township an opportunity to compete for contracts.Questions Answers Name the three most important goals or objectives this board should tackle in the coming term. Prioritize them, and briefly discuss why you believe each to be critical, and how the board should go about addressing them.1. Summer jobs for youths with a focus on low income youths. For the last five years, many of our youths have been unable to find employment, especially low income youth. Lisle Township should focus more on setting aside funds to implement and manage a program that would encourage local businesses to hire youths who reside within our township. I advocate that low income youths be the main focus of this program. This effort would get them off the streets, but also train them for furtue government employment. Our youth are our future. 2.The next priority is maintaining and funding emergency services. Although many believe the recession of the last three (3) years is behind us, there are still many families that are struggling due to vast unemployment. These families, regardless of race creed or color need help. All my life I was taught to care for the poor and disadvantaged. I will continue to do this when elected Lisle Township Clerk. 3. The third priority is to make sure police and fire funds are maintained so we can continue to provide quality service to Lisle Township residents. Residents of Lisle Township enjoy a safe comfortable life and I will work hard to keep it that way. The prior Board has raised property taxes for approximately the last three (3) years, including during the recession when the fair market value of property dropped substantially. The present Board has been able to maintain a surplus due to continued property tax increases. The time has come to put a stay on property tax increases to allow home values to catch up and increase in value for the next 5-10 years.In the 21st Century, with municipalities gobbling up vacant land, why are townships needed? Should they be serving a new role? If so, what?Township governments are closer to residents, which makes them more accessible and accountable. Municipalities are often too large and most residents, based on my conversations and research, feel a void because they are so big. Municipal residents do not feel they can get one on one communication that will allow them to be heard as with township government. Township government should stay within its core mission, quality service to residents. No, I do not feel that townships should take on new roles because this would take away that close intimacy it has with the residents. There are many present concerns and issues that need to be addressed in a bi-partisan way so both republican and democratic residents feel they are a part of the township government. Taking on new roles will deplete and take away quality service to residents. If elected Clerk, I will work across party lines to meet with all residents to hear their concerns, address pressing issues. My main focus will be to restore quality serice to township residents.What should be the primary responsibility of township government?The primary responsibility of township government is to provide efficient service to residents. That includes but is not limited to maintaining roads and drains, safe and effective police and fire services, parks, emergency services to residential families in needed and other important services. Another important responsibility of township government is that it must remain accessible and accountable while managing residents tax dollars and funds. When elected clerk, I will work towards these goals, and in the best interest of residents.In these hard economic times, can you identify some township expenses/programs that could be trimmed or eliminated to reduce the tax burden?Yes. Currently, pensions are available for all township positions with the exception of trustees. Some of these positions are part time and require the elected official to only meet once a month with the board of trustees. Pensions for these part time positions could be trimmed to reduce the tax burden on Lisle Township residents. If elected, I will work towards this goal.What specific background or experience do you bring that makes you the best qualified candidate to serve as an elected official in the township?I have been in public service as an Administrative Law Judge for almost two decades. I have also practiced as an attorney for more than 20 years. I am best qualifed to serve as Lisle Township Clerk because I have more years of experience in dealing with the public. Additionally, I have more than two decades of being accountable to my clients as an attorney. I have an unblemished record with the Attorney Registration Board. One of the most important roles of a public servant is caring about people (the public) and their cocerns. I will work tirelessly to make sure all are treated with dignity and respect to assure residents voices are heard. Since my position as an Administrative Law Judge is contract and I am in private practice, I will be able to manage my schedule so I can be present at the Township office several times during the month to meet and greet residents and to answer their questions. I want to make a difference in Lisle Township government by doing away with republican and democratic division and working towards bi-partisanship that is in the best interest of Lisle Township residents. I firmly believe voters are tired of all the bickering and will elect candidates in the future that are team players who will put the people and their concerns first.