Lucy Prouty: 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: Lake ZurichWebsite: http://elafirst.comOffice sought: Ela Township Supervisor (4-year Term)Age: 71Family: Married 51 years. Husband Donald Two children-Kendill and Ted. Seven Grandchildren-ages 22 to 7.Occupation: Retired hairdresser was a hairdresser for 53 years. In my second term of Ela Township Supervisor.Education: Graduate of Muellers School of Beauty 1960. Graduate of University of Illinois 2007 TOI Leadership Academy. 21 years of continueing Education classes of Township Officials of Illinois.Civic involvement: Current Director on Lake Zurich Area Chamber Board Current Chairperson of TIF Joint Review Board Award: Outstanding Public Service 2005 YEA panel member Current member of Ela 55 plus. Member Hawthorn Woods Women's Club Vp. of Church Council 1991 to 1993 Salvation Army agent President of two Golf Leagues Award: Township Officials of IL, Senior Center of the year Award: Township Officials of IL, Facebook, Social Media to Social Work Dept. 2012Elected offices held: Precinct Committeeperson numerous years Ela Township Trustee appointed in 1991 and elected 1993 to 2001 Ela Township Clerk 2001 to 2005 Current Ela Township Supervisor 2005 to present State board of Township Supervisors 2009 to present Appointed in August 2012 to the State Board of Township OfficialsHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: No.Candidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 As Supervisor my main concern is to help our township residents who are in need to receive and understand the programs available to them. We have financial assistance, LIHEAP applications for utilities, a senior program for residents age 55 older, a social work program to assist all residents and also a bus service for seniors and disabled. Information is sent out in a newsletter twice a year and on the township website.Key Issue 2 Promote and expand current programs: Seniors, Youth, Social Work, Bus serviceKey Issue 3 Numerous calls have come in from residents looking to reduce the high cost of electricity. We are hopeful we can get the referendum passed on the April 9th ballot to go ahead with Electrical Aggregation. Residents in unincorporated areas did not benefit from each Villages adoption of the program in previous elections.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.FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY EXPAND CURRENT SERVICES CONTINUE LISTENING TO THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY Working to keep our tax levies down and budgeting our monies wisely. Protecting and inform youth, and parents on the danger of drugs, alcohol, and prescription drugs by continued involvement in the Ela Youth Coalition. Utilize existing property by developing more playing fields in the back of our park as there is always a shortage of fields.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 government is local and easily accessible to residents, making it possible for many of them to get the help they need. Townships provide services that are not available at the Villages or other agencies locally. We keep our labor costs down by hiring more part-time help. We take care of the people who may not qualify elsewhere. We do everything to help keep residents in their homes and working. I have paid for tires, brakes, rent, utilities, and prescriptions. This is only done if the resident qualifies. Townships in the State of Illinois take care of over 55% of the roads.What should be the primary responsibility of township government?Road Maintenance, Property Assessments, General Assistance Program. Additional programs are created to provide service that otherwise would not be available. The Township Board decides which services best serves the community.In these hard economic times, can you identify some township expenses/programs that could be trimmed or eliminated to reduce the tax burden?Eliminating programs would not benefit the community as many already rely on the available services. We will continue to be fiscally responsible, knowing we are using tax dollars. Tax levy will not be increased. Township receives a very small portion of resident's tax dollars.What specific background or experience do you bring that makes you the best qualified candidate to serve as an elected official in the township?My 21 years in Township government. I am very proud of what I have accomplished as Supervisor and Treasurer of Ela Township. Thru years of planning and saving we have been able to replace the old converted garage which once served as our offices with a new Town Hall that also provides space for our Social Work program and a flexible community room which is used throughout the week by local area groups. We have also provided a much needed concession stand at Knox Park for our youth sports and summer youth programs. This past year we purchased the old Lake Zurich Post Office and converted it into a Community Center for our senior and youth programs. I am especially proud that we were able to accomplish all of this without incurring any debt to the residents. As Supervisor, I intend to continue providing services to our seniors, youth disabled and those in need.