Rita Payleitner: Candidate Profile

Back to St. Charles City Council Ward 2

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:BioQA Bio City: St. CharlesWebsite: N/AOffice sought: St. Charles City Council Ward 2 Age: 56Family: Husband: Jay (STC high school sweethearts) 4 married sons: Alec (wife Lindsay) Randall (wife Rachel, son Judah) Max (wife Megan, son Jackson) Isaac (wife Kaitlin, daughter due in April) A daughter in college: Rae Anne Over the years our family has shared our home with 10 foster children. As 40+ years residents Jay and I are happy to have chosen St. Charles as our home and the place to raise our five children (all 7 of us are graduates of St. Charles schools). Our family was proud to have welcomed in 2013 a 4th generation to call St. Charles home.Occupation: AldermanEducation: 4+ years of college Professional certificationCivic involvement: Currently: City Council, vice-chair of Government Services Committee, Member of the St. Charles Housing Commission and the St. Charles Liquor/Tobacco/Massage Control Commission. Represented St. Charles on CMAP Homes for a Changing Region Inter-Jurisdictional Housing Study Task Force. Serve on the Boards of the St. Charles Heritage Center and St. Charles Arts Council. I attend the St. Charles Intergovernmental meetings representing the City with the Mayor and City Administrator. I'm a member of the St. Charles Noon Kiwanis, serving as Club advisor to the STCE Key Club. Along with my family, I am an active member of Christ Community Church.Elected offices held: As above.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?The last four years have made me the best candidate for the job. Being an alderman is no small task. It's not just an honorary title. I have taken my job seriously and have worked very hard for the 2nd Ward and for the City of St. Charles. My formal commitments are many and by all accounts I've been an effective member of the Council. Every meeting and public forum attended, means a minimum of 3-5 hours advance prep work. In addition to my role on Council, including vice-chair of Government Services Committee, I was appointed to the St. Charles Housing Commission and the St. Charles Liquor/Tobacco/Massage Control Commission. I just wrapped up my role representing St. Charles on the 18-month long CMAP Homes for a Changing Region Inter-Jurisdictional Housing Study Task Force. I join Ald. Bancroft representing the Council in monthly Quad (formerly the Charlestowne Mall) Roundtable discussions with the developer and on the Arcada Roundtable as needed with Ald. Stellato. I sit as City liaison on the Boards of the St. Charles Heritage Center and St. Charles Arts Council. This fall I joined 5 Council colleagues in completing FEMA NIMS training. The training, while voluntary, is an important element to our City's emergency preparedness. I am the only Council member regularly attending the monthly St. Charles Intergovernmental meetings representing the City with the Mayor and City Administrator. Participants also include leaders from D303, STC Township, Library, Park District and Kane County.What is your opinion of your community's present level of local sales and property taxes? Is the tax just right, too low or too high? Explain.I believe our current tax structure is well monitored and appropriate at this time. While our community is still in recovery mode, I would love to see all levels of government maintain their current tax rate. It's also imperative that we as local elected officials keep an eye on the State and make sure it has our City's best interests in mind, especially when it comes to our share of already promised revenue. I stay current with potential concerns by attending IML events at every possible opportunity.Rate the efficiency of your town's police and fire coverage. Are the departments well prepared for the next decade? What, if anything, should be changed? Do you have specific public safety concerns?I couldn't be more proud of our Fire Department and Police Department. I have an excellent working relationship with Chief Shelstreet and Chief Keegan and am confident with these men at the helm our departments have continued excellence in operations to keep St. Charles protected, relevant and citizen/business friendly. I can say first hand that our Departments are professional, responsive and collaborative. Last fall, through independent study courses offered with the Emergency Management Institute, I received a FEMA certification. The fact that such a request was made of City officials reaffirms a dedication and commitment to be at our best in times of crisis. The fact that our Police Chief and Deputy Chief work so closely with the Liquor/Tobacco/Massage Control Commission (on which I serve) proves a desire to be proactive in making our downtown an "inviting social experience" for businesses as well as patrons. This work also helps our City as a whole continue to be family and business friendly.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?This topic is top of mind as City Council enters into budget prep season come February. Staff has already been doing their part to prepare for our upcoming budget meetings. A top notch Financial Director makes the process, while lengthy, thorough for Council's understanding. The effort to prepare the proposed City budget is a tremendous job and I applaud all department directors and the Finance Department for their diligence. The FY 14-15 General Fund was balanced. There were no new fees or tax increases. And we maintained roughly 35% reserve percentage. I look forward to having similar expectations for FY 15-16. Regular assessment leads me to say with confidence that the city budget is fair, reasonable, and not a point of conflict.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?I like what is beginning to take shape in improving our downtown. In addition to progress once again being made on First Street development, one of those elements, still in the early stages, is an initiative of the River Corridor Foundation. The "Active River Project" hopes to put a focus on our natural downtown asset, the Fox River. The long term vision for the river shows possibilities for St. Charles in creating a new energy and vibrancy for our downtown. Just last summer, I surprised myself by jumping into a scull and enjoying first hand the excitement of gliding down our beautiful river and gaining new perspective on its potential.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Citywide, I'm proud of my time and efforts on the Liquor Control Commission as the group has taken great strides in bringing a new vibrancy and effective use of checks and balances to our downtown. I'd like to see our work continue and our downtown grow and prosper. As for the 2nd Ward, my work and collaboration with the project manager, development team and new owners of the Quad keeps all parties accountable and working towards a mall that will once again benefit the surrounding neighborhoods and businesses as well as the City. I'm not at liberty to offer specifics, but later this year expect some exciting announcements regarding partnerships with respected retailers and restaurants.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.The respected Council "veterans" I have had the honor of working alongside. They have been forthcoming with their advice, their counsel, and their example.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?The importance and value of family.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?No thank you. "Never job backwards. What-might-have-been (is) a waste of time." James BondWhat was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?English Composition and Chemistry. Both taught me the importance of organization and critical thinking.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Have no regrets.