Patty Meroni: Candidate Profile

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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: Barrington HillsWebsite: www.saveopenspace.netOffice sought: Barrington Hills Village Board Age: Candidate did not respond.Family: Grown childrenOccupation: Manager,Patent and Trademark Law firmEducation: George Washington UniversityCivic involvement: Chair, 50th Anniversary Events, Village of Barrington Hills 2007 Trustee, Village of Barrington Hills Chair, Roads and Bridges 2011-2015Elected offices held: Trustee, Village of Barrington Hills Chair, Roads and Bridges 2011 -2015Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?Resident over 40 years, knowledge of village, experience, commitment and vision, and proven experience. Extensive background on the village and it's history gleaned through many years of association and activities within the village and with it's residents.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.Barrington Hills has no sales tax.Property taxes are high.First, Barrington Hills is in 4 counties and 2 school districts, so taxes vary. The property tax portion that our village government controls is less than 20% of a resident's property tax. School districts represent about 60% of a resident's property tax bill. Nevertheless, our property taxes are high and need to be addressed.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?BHPD is and has been rated as one of the highest in the State of Illinois, and has national accreditation. Our fire and EMT services are excellent, despite the fact that we are in 5 fire protection districts. Our 911 dispatch system is being evaluated currently. I feel that the biggest public safety concern that has not been adequately addressed is the potential for a toxic spill, whether it is from the many railtanker cars that daily pass through our village or a truck spill, as the volumes increase in the future.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?Roads and Bridges needs additional funding, as in many communities,states and nationally to maintain infrastructure. The current budget reflects the amount of money required to meet our village residents' expectations for services.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?A thoughtful approach to establishing border agreements with surrounding communities so as to protect our community and its residents.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Resolution of some existing problems and conflicts that exist and a return to civility in our government process.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Candidate did not respond.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Candidate did not respond.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Candidate did not respond.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Candidate did not respond.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Candidate did not respond.