Billie Roth: 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: StreamwoodWebsite: http://www. Billie-Roth.comOffice sought: Streamwood Village President (4-year Term)Age: 61Family: Married, two children, two grandchildrenOccupation: Village President, Village of Streamwood Platt Hill Nursery - GreenhouseEducation: College Courses - Wright Junior College College studies - Elgin Community College Licensed Real Estate BrokerCivic involvement: Board Member - Northwest Municipal Conference Northwest Municipal Joint Action Water Agency; Former Board Member - Children's Advocacy Center, Operations Review Committee St. Alexius Hospital; Past President of Advisory Board for Streamwood Behavioral Health Center; Past Board Member Telethon Host for Jayne Shover Easter Seals; Former Member - Work Force Development Board of Northern Cook County; Former member of Elgin Community College Referendum Committee 50th Anniversary Committee, Member of Streamwood Chamber of Commerce, Streamwood Kiwanis Club, Ladies Auxiliary Knights of Columbus Mary's Millennium St John the EvangelistElected offices held: Streamwood Village Clerk 1981-85 Streamwood Village Trustee 1987-1989 Streamwood Village President 1989-PresentHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Continuing to maintain sound village finances, while maintaining one of lowest overall debt rates per resident in the Northwest suburbs.Key Issue 2 Continuing to provide quality essential services to our Streamwood residents. Unlike other communities over the past few years, we did not lay off or furlough employees or cut services. We are very fortunate to have a very flexible and lean government, where job sharing and cross training are not new ideas - but established patterns. We did reallocate staff in key positions and retool some of our programs to best utilize our staff and resources without loss in service levels to our residents and businesses.Key Issue 3 Continuing our commitment to conservancy. Streamwood has been a leader in natural resource preservation through programs that preserve our trees, maintain open space and use structures like wetlands to keep our water clean in our streams and ponds throughout Streamwood.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I have the experience and a proven track record in providing services to our residents. I am passionate about Streamwood, and committed to its continued growth. I have seen the positive changes in our community and continue to have the vision and drive to keep the community moving in a positive direction. I know how to bring people together to accomplish goals and settle differences through consensus building. I helped to establish our pay-as-you-go philosophy, which has resulted in dedicated funding allocations for streets and infrastructure, capital improvements, and equipment replacement without incurring debt.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.I believe that balance in taxation is very important. It has been our desire not to drive our residents to other communities in search of lower tax rates. We have kept our sales taxes in the competitive range with other municipalities in the area. I believe our local sales tax rate is just right in the current economic climate.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.School safety seems to be the biggest concern right now. I believe that Streamwood is pro-active in this area given our long-term commitment to the DARE program and the close cooperation between our Police Department and our schools.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?I think Streamwood is at the head of the pack on this issue, compared to most other municipalities. Over the past four years we have instituted a two-tier salary plan, eliminated positions, redistributed workloads, found ways to extend the life of capital equipment and taken other cost-saving measures that have kept Streamwood in the black. Until we see real and sustained economic recovery, however, I don't believe we should be looking to expand programming or increasing budget allocations.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?How the diversity of our community adds to its strength, and the role community celebrations play in maintaining that strength. We have a tight-knit, diverse community. The village sponsors a number of opportunities for our residents to get involved in our community. Streamwood enjoys over 12 commissions that offer advice and aid to the Village. These commissions encouraging residents to better understand government, while keeping the Village Board and staff informed about critical issues related to our community's overall health. Community events celebrate the community in its entirety. They help to bring the community together regardless of race or ethnicity. Our Memorial Day observance honors those that gave the greatest gift; our Luminaria celebration brings families out to start the holiday season; our Cultures of Our Community event highlights how our combined heritages are our greatest asset; and our Summer Celebration event provides a low-cost, family-oriented festival where the community truly gathers together. Embracing our diversity and celebrating it through community-wide events serves as a critical resource in uniting our community and maintaining its strength.