Barbara Evans: 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: Deer ParkWebsite: http://www.ElaReform.orgOffice sought: Ela Township Supervisor (4-year Term)Age: 52Family: Married, 3 children: Christine, Chas, and Colin. Lived in Ela Township since 1990. All three children graduated from Lake Zurich High School.Occupation: Consultant to the healthcare industry, working primarily with durable home medical equipment (DME/HME) companies to meet accreditation and quality standards.Education: BA Business Administration Wittenberg University MBA Lake Forest Graduate School of ManagementCivic involvement: I have served on various community boards over the past 17 years including PTO president at Charles Quentin, Director of the Ela Festival of Arts and Ela Fine Arts Show, Zoning Board of Appeals for the Village of Deer Park, and on the Government Affairs committee with the Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce.Elected offices held: Trustee of Village of Deer Park Village of Deer Park (Appointed 2009-2011)Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Accountability to residents. In the mid 1990's I helped facilitate several community forums to identify issues within the community, so local officials could work together to address them. Input from the community is critical, especially when trying to assess priorities and large sums of money are involved. The current Ela township budget has overestimated expenses by at least $1.5 million (and more likely up to $2 million) without explanation to residents. The consequence is every Ela Township resident is overtaxed to create a surplus that the Township has over the years spent without referendum or much input from residents. In this case, the lack of accountability affects every resident because taxes could be lower or funds could have been used differently with greater impact to meet community needs. I intend to work for all Ela Township residents openly, honestly and responsibly so there in input and accountability to what the township plans, budgets, taxes and does.Key Issue 2 Enhanced needs based service. The Township has an obligation, the funds, and resources to provide better service to residents in need. Since 2008 when hard economic times hit, the township has done little to improve assistance or provide solutions for shut ins, disabled, and others in dire need. I have heard from several people that have been turned away from the township only to silently struggle. Evaluating, planning and implementing a systemic way to better utilize its resources and create solutions to improve the quality of life of those who need it, must become more of a priority for the Township.Key Issue 3 Ethics and Efficiency. At all times the township has an obligation to work openly and honestly to provide the best service to residents in an efficient and economical manner.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.The three most important goals this board should tackle in the coming term, by priority are: 1) creating a more accurate budget based on community needs and sound financial projections, 2) evaluating and implementing needs based programming for youth, seniors, the disabled, shut-ins and families in need and 3) improving the information provided to Township residents, so information is communicated openly, honestly, quickly, and cost effectively. 1) I have already touched on why I think a more accurate budget is so important. Reducing the excess in the budget reduces the amount needed to be collected by the Township which translates into a tax savings for every property owner in the Township. In addition, the excess in the budget becomes excess funds in which Township officials have either spent without much input or accountability to taxpayers; or it sits underutilized in a bank account. The Ela Tax Reform Party slate consists of professionals that have the experience of developing and being accountable for accurate administration and operating budgets. I will recommend to the board zero-based budgeting; a process of efficiently allocating resources based on needs and benefits rather than inflated historical costs. Backup information: Latest Township Statement of Revenue and Expenditures Vs. Annual Budget December 31, 2012 http://elatownship.org/wp-content/uploads/REV-EXP123112.pdf 2) The role of government is to collect taxes to serve the people where they cannot as individuals. Thus, we all pay taxes for roads, emergency/safety services, etc. Ideally, all people are able to create a quality of life without much help, but many times to no fault of their own, people fall on hard times and need assistance. A vital function of the township is to be a solid resource for residents that need assistance. The board can set the direction and support for creating need based programs. As Supervisor, I intend to coordinate with other social service agencies to generate solid data in which to evaluate, develop and implement programs that better meet the needs of residents. Backup: A search of social service or social programs on the Ela Township website resulted in information about Shooting Stars Summer Camp 2012, Ela Coalition Against Youth Substance Abuse, and Senior programs and services. http://elatownship.org/?s=social+programssearch=Search 3) Finally, we live in an information age. With a quick search of the Township website, a resident should be able to find a multitude of information including the latest minutes to meetings, past approved expenditures, a calendar of events and other public information without having to FOIA the information or great delay. Until recently, when brought to the attention of the current clerk, minutes were over six months old on the Township website, minutes provide minimal detail and refer to the board packets which typically have not been readily available at meetings or on the website, and approved expenditure detail is generally not provided. In today's world communicating openly, honestly, quickly, and cost effectively is not difficult. By utilizing the internet and latest technologies, the township can provide a great service to residents by providing better information with minimal additional cost. Backup: A search of the Township website for approved expenditures resulted in no information. And no events listed on the Township calendar at http://elatownship.org/events-calendarIn the 21st Century, with municipalities gobbling up vacant land, why are townships needed? Should they be serving a new role? If so, what?I think the need for township government and their role depends on the community. In the case where a municipality has acquired most of the vacant land, if not all, there might be legitimate reason to eliminate the taxes collected for acquired roads. However, in communities such as Ela Township, where it is made up primarily of smaller villages that either do not have the personnel, departmental staff or resources to adequately maintain roads (for example), the township can serve a vital role in creating an economy of scale to save each community served money which can then be used in other areas to create greater value for the area as a whole. In the village of Deer Park, for example, there is only one full time employee and all road and parks services are contracted. With a few calls, the Deer Park Village administrator can call either Cuba or Ela Township to provide some of the needed services at a reduced rate saving the village time and money. A role of the township is to serve its residents where needed. Ela Township should be able to work better with villages and other governmental agencies to evaluate and bring more value-added services and cost savings to villages and their residents.What should be the primary responsibility of township government?Township government in Illinois typically have three functions: 1) The assessment of property valuation for taxation; 2) The maintenance of roads in unincorporated areas; and 3) The distribution of financial aid or assistance to poor residents not eligible for other welfare programs. I also think it is the responsibility of township government to continuously seek to find and employ more efficient and economical ways to accomplish these tasks.In these hard economic times, can you identify some township expenses/programs that could be trimmed or eliminated to reduce the tax burden?As discussed above, the current Ela township budget overestimates expected expenditures by as much $2 million. This surplus in the budget creates a greater tax burden on every taxpayer in the township. Tighten the budget, and the tax burden will be reduced. Also, the surplus funds generated provide a way for officials to spend without a referendum or input from taxpayers. As a consequence, the township has spent close to $5 million on facilities since 2000 by using surplus funds ($1.5+ million for a 25 year lease for rooms at the Foglia YMCA, other rentals, and other associated expenses; approximately $2 million for the new Township hall to house administration and social worker; and approximately $700,000 for the old post office building.) A lot of money has been spent on facilities. With better planning and input, could monies been spent more wisely providing a tax savings or enhanced services to residents? If so, there is a lost opportunity cost. By tightening the budget to more accurately reflect expected expenditures, the tax burden is reduced and the township will be held accountable to better plan, communicate, and spend more wisely.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 served on several boards including PTO president at Charles Quentin School, several non-profits organizations, International Academy of Design Technology, and the Village of Deer Park which required a variety of leadership skills which I used to competently contribute vision, purpose and needed oversight to each organization. My interests led me to become an accreditation consultant because I enjoy the challenge of facilitating organizations through a process to evaluate, develop and implement systems to improve operations to meet standards while staying within budget and time constraints. I also have experience managing an office which is required of the Supervisor. Finally, as a long time resident that has volunteered and been a part of community needs assessments and community forums over the years, I have an understanding of the community but can bring a fresh perspective to the Ela Township board. My experience, interests, and fresh perspective make me the best qualified candidate to serve as Supervisor of the Township.