Hana Echevarria: 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: Glendale HeightsWebsite: http://www.forabetterglendaleheights.comOffice sought: Glendale Heights Village Board District 5 (4-year Term)Age: 37Family: Husband, 4 childrenOccupation: Manage 5 Healthcare ClinicsEducation: H.S. Graduate, Microcomputer Business Systems Associate of Applied Science Civic involvement: Unity Church on the North Shore #8211; attended over 17 years, held active member status of the church for the last four years, through the church I run an ongoing food drive for over 3 yearsInterfaith Action - a non-profit organization whose mission is to bring together communities of faith and spirit to serve people who are hungry and homelessInternational Order of the Rainbow for Girls - A Masonic youth service organization that teaches leadership training through community service. Served on the Advisory board for 2 terms.Marquardt Middle School Parent Association, School District 15 - served one term on the parent association 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 Debt and spending- stop further debt accumulation, make budget cutsKey Issue 2 Empty businesses and struggling businesses- economic development, incentives to bring businesses and help struggling business owners, lower sales tax rateKey Issue 3 High poverty rate, struggling families- bring local jobs by bringing in new businesses Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?The current issues have hit my family hard. I am passionate about making the changes that need to be made because they affect the security of my home and family directly. I have a young family, with children currently enrolled in the local school districts, which makes my involvement in the community more active and relevant to struggling families than my opponents. As a working parent with a modest income I have perfected the art of working within a limited budget.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.The current rate is high. I support the lowering of the current rate. 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.The rising crime rate is an issue, however, the current allowed blood alcohol level for our Village police officers while on duty at .05 is disturbing! The fact that there is any level of tolerance while on duty is unacceptable.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? There are several items that can be trimmed from the current Board of Trustees budget alone ,that will make an impact and not affect services provided to residents. Items from the budget include: $41,633.00 for board's membership dues to various groups (let them pay these on their own, not the residents!), $21,400.00 listed as #8220;professional others#8221; on the Village Clerks budget (I would like to know what this is for, it is listed separately from salary). Lastly, I am sure we can shave something off the Boards base salary quoted in the 2012 General Account budget listed at nearly $126,000.00. This is only 3 items off the Village Board and Clerks budget alone, I am sure there are many more areas that can be addressed.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?As it is election time, there is so much discussion on the big issues (overspending, budget cuts, economic development, crime, poverty, foreclosures) and they are all important. An area I feel would greatly better our community for our families is the development of more affordable daycare programs, early childhood programs, and afterschool care programs. This is a basic need of any household with children.