Denise Rodd: 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: Des PlainesWebsite: www.DeniseRodd.comTwitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DeniseRoddDPOffice sought: Des Plaines City Council Ward 3 Age: 48Family: HusbandSonDaughterOccupation: Manager of Communication and Web Content, American Assn of Hip and Knee SurgeonsEducation: Master of Arts in Writing, DePaul University, 1998Bachelor of Arts in Communication, DePaul University, 1991Civic involvement: Currently serving as 3rd Ward Alderman in Des Plaines. Volunteer for Des Plaines Self-Help Closet and Pantry.Elected offices held: Alderman, 3rd Ward, Des PlainesQuestions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I am raising my family in Des Plaines and involved in the community. I represent a new generation of residents who believe in public service as a way to improve a community. I am known to be the voice of reason, respect and knowledge on Council. I have an even temperment and choose to use facts in debates on Council. I hold monthly Ward meetings where everyone is invited to take part in conversation about what matters to them. I reach out to residents via social media and a monthly eNewsletter. I available by email, phone and in-person when requested. I am attentive and responsive. My constituents' concerns are my concerns.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 levels are in line with surrounding communities. We have to hold the line on those to stay competitive. I voted against continuing the added tax on gasoline; however, I was not in the majority. I continue to support the 0% increase to the Des Plaines property tax levy. This has been in place for five years now thanks to the diligent work by our Finance Department staff. While other entities raise the levy each year, Des Plaines has not. With approximately $8 million in casino revenue going towards infrastructure improvements and paying down debt each year, holding the property tax levy steady has been possible.Should city elected officials receive city-funded health insurance benefits? Do you receive the benefits now? Would you accept them if elected?I'm' glad you're asking this question. It means I've done my job. I never received the city-funded insurance benefits and will not accept them if re-elected. Since I ran for office four years ago, I have steadfastly chipped away at the health insurance issue for elected officials - who receive full health and dental benefits for themselves and their families. Health and dental benefits are for full-time employees, which we are not.I'm not opposed to anyone having insurance - elected officials and their families just shouldn't be getting it at the taxpayers' expense. This amounts to approximately $100,000 each year for a handful of individuals. I have brought this issue into the light, and it has become something that is important to citizens. In the future, we will see this perk go away by attrition.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?Our largest expense is personnel. After that it's City services. Those are areas that cannot be trimmed. The City already runs lean thanks to our Asst. City Manager/Finance Director who practices tough budgeting protocols each year along with our City Manager. There is always room to trim in small areas such as the electronic waste collection Public Works continues to do (and get charged for removal) despite the fact that residents can now recycle eWaste at the curbside. We could trim office supply and materials expenses with a centralized purchasing system. This is something the City has been working on. Ending the offering of health insurance benefits to newly elected officials will save taxpayer funds as well. As far as spending more in certain areas - we cannot budget enough for infrastructure improvements. While the infusion of Casino revenue helps with this, Des Plaines is an OLD city with streets, water mains and sidewalks in need of replacement. For example, if we were to replace all the broken sidewalks in Des Plaines at once, it would cost us $60 million. And that's not including filling the gaps where no sidewalks exist. As Des Plaines will be growing in the near future with the new developments, we will have to look at budgeting more for Police and Fire personnel. Finally - funding pensions. Even if we had more money to spend on funding these, we would not catch up. A key change needs to happen at the state level.Do you support a plan to commit city dollars, along with Rivers Casino, to acquire and renovate the shuttered Des Plaines Theatre, then hire an event planner to book concerts and shows?I am open to a plan that will best utilize TIF 1 funds from the City along with a financial and professional commitment from Rivers. As far as renovating the Des Plaines Theater into another theater - I'm not sure that's the highest and best use. This is definitely something to discuss and come to a decision on soon with input from the residents and Rivers. Surveys show that people who come to Des Plaines want to stay here to eat in restaurants and attend festivals with entertainment. An event planner would help facilitate this for City-sponsored, outdoor events in our public spaces. I don't think the City assigning an event planner exclusively to manage the Theater in whatever form it takes is a good idea. My hope is that the Theater will be managed by a private entity with a vested interest in the community.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Even though we serve as Aldermen in specific Wards, it's vital that we serve the City as a whole. As Chair of the Engineering Committee, I'm currently working on moving forward the addition of a pedestrian and cyclist access point through the S-Curve underpass on Northwest Highway just west of downtown. It was the most important issue to my former colleague, the Honorable Joanna Sojka, who passed away on August 18, 2014. I will see this project through so that people can traverse our City in a healthy and safe way. As for issues unique to the 3rd Ward, I will continue to work with businesses to ensure they are good neighbors to residents who live in close proximity. From half-century old businesses to new developments coming in, it's important that we understand each others' needs and come to decisions that are in the best interest of the City. Finally, one of the most important issues to me is to engage constituents and impress upon them that active participation in shaping our local government is a challenging endeavor, but one that has rewarding outcomes for ourselves and our neighbors.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Rosemary Argus, a former Des Plaines Alderman, who now serves those in need through the Des Plaines Community Foundation.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?My mom had MS and was a single, working mom. I learned from her that optimism will pull you through anything.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would join the High School newspaper and radio station in addition to Track and Cross Country!What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?English composition. Taking the time to compose my thoughts and put them to paper taught me to present them in a way that motivates others.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Believe in love.