Lynn Robbins: 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: WheatonWebsite: In developmentTwitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Wheaton City Council West District Age: 49Family: Maggie Buckley, SpouseDog, Gunnar and 3 cats; Bella, Beans and Bullet. All are rescued from various local shelters.Occupation: Capital Projects, Construction and Facilities Project ManagementEducation: B.S., Leisure Studies, University of Iowa, withminors in Spanish and Physical Education with Coaching EndorsementCivic involvement: Rotary Club International, Elgin Breakfast ChapterElgin Leadership AcademyVolunteer Youth Basketball Coach, Wheatland Athletic AssociationVolunteer Youth Soccer Coach, City of ElginVolunteer Youth T-Ball Coach, City of ElginVolunteer Youth Basketball Coach, Glenview Park DistrictElected offices held: Executive Board Member, Store Planning, Equipment, Construction and Facilities Services (SPECS)Advisory Board Member, Store Planning, Equipment, Construction and Facilities Services (SPECS)Retail Contractors Association Advisory Board Member (RCA)Past President, President and President Elect, Facility Management Section, Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA)Questions Answers What downtown improvement projects do you think need to be a priority and why? Is there work you want to eliminate?Repair/replacement and maintenance of the City's Infrastructure, specifically, the sewer and sanitary systems. Flooding has been and still is an unresolved issue for the residents and business' of Wheaton. This was the same question posed to the seeking Council candidates back in 2015 and 2011. The City has hired stormwater engineers over the past several years to perform studies and present mitigation plans. This is a costly undertaking which all public entities serving Wheaton; school district, park district, City, County and Corp of Engineers should collaborate to find alternatives to help alleviate and mitigate the disruption it causes for all.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.Local sales tax should not be raised. While I was out speaking with residents, I heard many stories that it is a challenge for current residents to afford to live in Wheaton. We need to continue to find new sources of revenue for the City and be fiscally responsible with our expenditures.While we have top notch school districts, park district and City Services that our residents are accustomed to and expect, the City's largest revenue source is from property taxes, approximately $25M. Wheaton has a tax base with less than 1% industrial and approximately 16% commercial to draw from. The bulk of the revenue source is property taxes with 83% from the homeowner.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?Being recognized for low crime and great City Services, Wheaton was rated among the top Chicagoland suburbs to live back in 2014. Our Fire and Police Departments continuously work to deliver the highest services to our residents. A thorough look at efficiencies, coverage, equipment, training and the allocation of resources should be made regularly not only during the annual budget preparation and review. The City must ensure we are prepared for crisis and disasters that the world is facing today in everyday life.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?In 2011, the City Council established strategic priorities to guide the City Council and staff in developing current and future budgets. In continuing with this, regular reviews should be made continually throughout the year by each Department as well as a deep dive during the budget process and review. Certainly what each Department wants as compared to what is required for the City to function effectively and/or be prepared for can be a challenge which hard decisions must be made. I will recommend all budget expense owners to be accountable for cost savings efforts as we do in the business sector. Examples would include: improved vendor management efforts and/or managing staff by automation and technology.What is one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?Candidate did not respond.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Improved lighting and signing along W. Liberty, Carlton and Childs Street for the train commuters. This is a dark area with little lighting. There are many cars traveling in this area along with commuters walking to/from the parking lots and train station. At times, cars are speeding, not paying attention to the pedestrian traffic, as they are running late to catch the train.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Pat SummitWhat is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?If you can place a true friend on each one of your fingers then you have made an accomplishment.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.