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Patricia Beauvais: Candidate Profile
Des Plaines City Council Ward 3 (4-year Term) (Independent)
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.
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Bio
City: Des Plaines
Website: Candidate did not respond.
Office sought: Des Plaines City Council Ward 3 (4-year Term)
Age: 55
Family: 3 children
Occupation: Director of Business & Program Development - Regency Rehab Center - Niles, Il.
Education: NORTHEASTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY - CHICAGO, IL. (1975-1979) Bachlor of Arts Elementary Education K thru 9
Civic involvement: Central Little League board member (founded 5 to 7yr.old league), Vice President and board member of Central School PTA, President of the Maine West Athletic Boosters, Coach for soccer, baseball, basketball, and girls softball, Cub Scout Den mother. Served on numerous committees: Taste of DP, Sisterfest for the Sisters of Nazarethville, Neighborhood Watch Volunteer, National Night Out, Flood Committee, DP Park District event volunteer, etc.
Elected offices held: Elected - Alderman-1st Ward-City of Des Plaines-16 years (1993-2009) Appointed - Illinois Racing Board-1 year (2011-2012)
Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: No
Candidate's Key Issues
Key Issue 1
Continue phase 2 of the levy 50 project which will implement a flood control system for those residential areas west of the river of which the 3rd ward is affected.
Key Issue 2
I will work hard to fill the store vacancies and bring in companies that can supply various job opportunites for our residents.
Key Issue 3
Promote the start of phase 2 of the casino project which includes the building of an entertainment center: resturants and entertainment venues. This will increase the current revenue stream received from the successful Rivers Casino.
Questions & Answers
There's been talk about using casino revenue to update the city's infrastructure. Where is that money most urgently needed?
For phase 2 of the levy 50 project which will reduce flooding in the City of Des Plaines. This will be accomplished by adding larger sewers and addressing the problems with water controlled by gravity on a number of our existing streets.
What can be done to fill vacancies and draw new businesses to the downtown area? Be as specific as possible.
The city has to be more aggressive in their pursuit of business by becoming visible and networking at various business conventions, and working on potential revenue incentives while changing the city's reputation of not being business friendly until the economy becomes stronger. We need to encourage the landlord of Metro Square to work with the high cost of the rents that are being charged in order to attract business. Also, I would like to look into increasing the visibility of the gate ways into Metro Square to becoming more visible from Miner and River Rds.
What is the biggest issue facing Des Plaines at present, and what are your thoughts on it?
Flooding has always been the number 1 issue in the City of Des Plaines. Over the past 60 years, we have had 16 major floods which equates to 1 every 4 years at a rate of 20 million dollars in damage a year to those communities up and down the Des Plaines water shed. In 1986 and 1987 those lost property equalled 100 million to those residents up and down the water shed. Residents in Des Plaines would like to feel more comfortable when they hear rain predicted and not hear that there will be a chance of flooding again. The residents also have been paying a high flood premiums each year. This issue needs to continue to be our priority and my experience of 16 years will qualify these continued efforts.
Given the delicate balance between the need for revenue and over-taxing local businesses, what is your opinion of Des Plaines' present level of local sales taxes? Is the tax just right, too low or too high? Explain.
Taxation is based upon the need for revenue. I know of no legislator that is ever happy to raise taxes. I will do my best to make sure that any tax increase is absolutely necessary. During my previous terms as alderman, high taxes was never an issue. I am not familar with the justification of the current tax ratios.
What are the city's biggest public safety concerns? Explain the concern as you see it, and discuss how you think it should be addressed.
Drugs, alcohol and gangs continue to be a concern. As a community we need to heighten our awareness through education, both in and outside of our schools. As a priority we need to identify exactly which locations these problems occur and take the proper measures. We need to continue to support and provide "specialty units" on our police dept. in order to aggressively pursue the offenders.
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