Ronda Goldman: 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: HuntleyWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Huntley Village Board (4-year Terms)Age: Candidate did not respond.Family: Married to Alan Goldman for nearly 35 yearsOccupation: Retired High School Special Education Administrator over 17 high schools in Chicago Public School System(2006) Retired High School LRE Consultant from CPS(2011)Education: M.A.,Reading Disabilities, Central Michigan University B.A.,English Spanish Teaching, U. of Ill, Champaign Administrative Certificate, Northeastern University Elementary Certificate, Loyola University Learning Disabilities Certification, U of I-ChgoCivic involvement: Huntley Zoning Board of Appeals(current member) The Huntley Civilian Police Academy( current,Vice-President) The Huntley Historical Society(current,Vice-President) Member of the former D158 Financial Advisory Committee Member of the Huntley Chamber of Commerce Member of the Sun City Marketing Advisory Committee Member of the Sun City LifelongLearning Committee Past chair of Sun City's N33 Past president of the Sun City Antique Collectible Club Member of the RAP Program, M.C.C.Elected offices held: None at this timeHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Job growth through expansion of local commercial, retail, and business establishments.Key Issue 2 Fiscal responsibility to Huntley's tax payers.Key Issue 3 Historical preservation by compromise.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I can bridge the gap between all of the seniors in Huntley and the younger residents; the residents in Sun City and the seniors who do not live in Sun City; and help to improve Sun City's community relations in Huntley. I encouraged Sun City's participation in Huntley's Fall Fest in 2012. I am very involved in different civic facets of Huntley, i.e, police department, school system, historical organizations, the governmental Zoning Board of Appeals, as well as busy in Sun City. I am an effective communicator and problem solver and plan to be available to all residents.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.There was flat growth from 2012 to 2013. 7% was collected on all retail establishments of which the Village of Huntley only received 1%. The flat growth most likely reflected the unimproved economic conditions in McHenry Kane Counties. I hope to monitor this area as Huntley has been fiscally conservative but may need an increased revenue stream in the near future.However, local businesses cannot be over-taxed.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.According to a survey Huntley put out in 2012, 387 respondees out of 877 returns gave the police department a high ranking. There were concerns: worry over the break-ins in Sun City and a lack of resolution; issues of traffic safety near the h.s.; a need for a safer way for pedestrians and bicyclists to cross major streets;and little traffic enforcement for speeders and those who do "rolling stops". I think that the police department should hold more town hall meetings to address these concerns, utilize the civilian police academy and CERTS groups to assist the department to a greater extent, and conduct some public re-training about rules for stopping at the railroad tracks as the signage is very confusing.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?The Village of Huntley is fiscally conservative and makes sound budget decisions in light of the economy. Capital Funds for 2013 have been greatly increased as have monies for street improvements. These might be areas for further scrutiny. Also, the Village purchased several buildings and this might have been left for the newly approved TIF District to handle. However, I know that many of the vehicles the public works department and the police department use are aging and will probably need to be replaced within the next few years. The software the Village uses is outdated and needs to be replaced.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?Partner with the Huntley Chamber of Commerce, the local banks, factories and companies who do not belong to the Chamber, the Village officials who are hired to bring new businesses to Huntley,Kane and McHenry Counties, and surrounding towns in order to increase choice for shopping, utilizing services, etc. for an increased revenue stream and to reduce property taxes.