Mulder: Why Hayes is the best choice

As you know, I am stepping down as mayor after having the honor and privilege of serving you for 20 years.

Residents have asked which candidate for mayor I think would best continue the great progress we have made in Arlington Heights. That candidate clearly is Tom Hayes.

With Tom’s help and support, we have accomplished a great deal. We have been fiscally responsible, cutting expenditures to balance our budgets during years of declining revenue, and held down tax rate increases to an absolute minimum, particularly compared with surrounding communities.

We have fostered business growth, attracting over 100 new businesses to Arlington Heights just last year. They include the new theater soon to open in downtown, major new car dealers on Rand and Dundee roads, and Floor & Décor, scheduled to open soon on Palatine Road. This growth has created jobs, leading to an unemployment rate in Arlington Heights of 6.3%, significantly below the state level.

Our downtown is the envy of other Northwest suburbs, with community after community modeling their downtown redevelopments after ours.

We have accomplished all this through the thoughtful planning and hard work of your village board and our village staff. The board has always maintained a collaborative atmosphere of mutual respect, and Tom Hayes has been particularly helpful — serving as President Pro Tem since 1999.

I absolutely agree with the Daily Herald in its endorsement of Tom Hayes’ candidacy for village president, as “ ... one of the finest people you’ll ever encounter in local politics. Honest, straightforward, caring, a collaborator who gains the respect of those who work with him.”

That endorsement also noted, “We need a village president who is from our community, who has a history here and understands the unique needs and advantages of Arlington Heights.”

We have done well, but we can always do better. It is clear Tom Hayes is the most qualified for the job, ready and able to lead Arlington Heights in 2013 and beyond. This is why I strongly support Tom Hayes to be your next mayor.

Please join me in voting for Tom Hayes on April 9th.

Arlene J. Mulder

Arlington Heights