Melissa Birch: Candidate Profile

Back to West Chicago City Council Ward 4

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: West ChicagoWebsite: www.melissabirch.orgOffice sought: West Chicago City Council Ward 4 Age: 33Family: Fiance Evan and our beagle, BuckleyOccupation: Bid Coordinator for William V. MacGill Co.Education: Bachelor of Arts in English, Northern Illinois UniversityCivic involvement: West Chicago Sister Cities, Past President St. Michael's UCC, Council Member American Legion Auxiliary West Chicago Garden Club West Chicago Lions Club CHS Education FoundationElected offices held: Alderman Ward 4, City of West Chicago 2014-present Plan Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals Commissioner, City of West Chicago 2012-2014 Civil Service Commissioner, City of West Chicago 2013-2014 Precinct Committeeman, 2012-presentQuestions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I am an active community member, supporting many of our local non-profit and volunteer organizations, which keeps me up-to-date with any needs of the residents in our city. I served on the Plan Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals and Civil Service Commission prior to my appointment as Alderman in 2014. I grew up in West Chicago, and recently purchased my first home here. I am dedicated to West Chicago, and making sure that our community remains a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family.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.Our current sales tax rate is 7.75%, which I believe to be appropriate for a city of our size, as it is less than or equal to most neighboring towns: St. Charles (8.00%), Wheaton (8.25%), Winfield (7.75%), Batavia (8.00%), Warrenville (8.50%), and Carol Stream (8.00%); also, the entire portion of the City's Home Rule Sales Tax (0.75%) is earmarked for capital projects rather than operating expenses. Approximately five percent of the total property tax bill for each West Chicago taxpayer goes to the City, while the balance (about 95%) is received by other local taxing bodies; finally, the City's tax levy will remain unchanged for the fourth year in a row.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?As a member of the Civil Service Commission, I shared in the task of hiring quality police officer candidates. Fire service is not provided by the City, but rather by a Fire Protection District. I feel safe in our community, and have confidence in both departments. We also have over 100 residents who are trained in CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) and ready to respond in case of emergency. We have been proactive with the goal of starting a first responders' training center in West Chicago to prepare ourselves for the future. Also, for the second straight year, West Chicago landed in the top 100 Safest Cities in America (for cities with 25,000 or more population) as determined by Neighborhood Scout.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?One of my first decisions as a newly appointed Alderman was to approve our 2015 budget, which is 6.6% less overall than the 2014 budget, without any tax or fee increases or reduction in staff or services. We are a very financially healthy community. In terms of other areas to fund, the City is in the initial stages of hiring a consultant to facilitate a City-wide strategic plan; the City Council will be soliciting community input as to what residents and businesses expect over the next three to five years. That input will drive the goals of the plan, which may identify new projects that the City Council should consider funding.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?With future plans for downtown redevelopment and our municipal campus, I want to be part of making sure we have a green initiative for future development, both when considering infrastructure improvements and facility design, but also ensuring there is public open space as part of the project.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Accessibility to and communication with residents. Attracting new businesses and continuing our goal of a revitalized downtown. Fiscal responsibility, and complete government transparency.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Lt. Governor Evelyn SanguinettiWhat's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Be kind and helpful toward others.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would not change a thing.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Geography. I loved learning about people, places, and the greater world in which we live.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Be free to be your own unique person; be your true self.