Gloria Palmblad: 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: Lake ZurichWebsite: ServingEla.comTwitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Ela Township Supervisor Age: 60Family: Husband, RichSon, EricOccupation: Business ownerEducation: Candidate did not respond.Civic involvement: - Current Ela Township Trustee- Village of Lake Zurich Clerk from 1999-2009- Served on Lake Zurich Baseball Softball (LZBSA) board since 1994 thru present in number of capacities, including Commissioner- Current Administrative Secretary for LZBSA since 01- LZBSA volunteer with Challenger (special needs) program for 3 years- Recognized as Honorary Lake Zurich Lions Club Member for organization of Alpinefest Parade from 1993 - 2005- Awarded 2006 Outstanding Public Servant by the Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce- also served on Lake Zurich Newcomers Club and Countrywide West Homeowners AssociationElected offices held: Served as Clerk of Village of Lake Zurich from 1999 thru 2009andcurrent Ela Township TrusteeQuestions Answers Name the three most important goals or objectives this board should tackle in the coming term. Prioritize them, and briefly discuss why you believe each to be critical, and how the board should go about addressing them.1. Park development on Deerpath Road - Ela Township recently purchased property on Deerpath Road for the purpose of developing a new athletic park to meet the demand of the continued growth in the communities' youth athletic programs. It is critical to ensure this project is completed as planned, on-time and within budget to avoid additional engineering fees, permit fees, or other costs. 2. Fiscal Responsibility - Ela Township has maintained strong financial standing with careful planning and saving as shown by the recent purchase of land without the need to borrow money. The incoming board needs to continue this approach to strategic planning over the next four years by maintaining balanced budgets that keep costs down.3. Increased Transparency "â#128;œ (I know, you've all heard this before!) I feel that our current accounting software is very outdated and insufficient to meet modern needs. Updating our financial system will improve efficiency for staff, as well as increase transparency and accountability for Ela residents.What should be the primary responsibility of township government?Unlike other local governments, Township Government's role is specifically written in State statue. Townships have three mandatory functions: 1) to administer a general assistance program to qualifying residents, 2) appraise property values, and 3) maintain unincorporated roads and bridges.In the 21st Century, with municipalities gobbling up vacant land, why are townships needed? Should they be serving a new role? If so, what?The role of Townships is to provide different services to the community other than those provided by municipal government. This is a fact in Ela Township. The Township is the only resource that provides general assistance, senior services, low-income youth services, and social work services for domestic violence and drug addition, among others. Not to mention, the Township is the only local resource for residents in unincorporated communities. Without the Township, services like these would cease to exist or would lead to increased costs for other local governments as they try to fill the void.Are there any township offices that should be eliminated or consolidated?The recent effort to consolidate all of the Townships in McHenry County showed that costs to taxpayers would have increased dramatically because the county could not fulfill the role being provided by the Townships. I want to ensure Ela Township continues to look for ways to bring costs down by working with the private sector and other local governments. Ultimately any decision to eliminate or consolidate any of the Township's offices should be up to the residents and I hope Springfield will give residents that ability, rather than slashing resources in our community without input directly from residents.Can you identify some township expenses/programs that could be trimmed or eliminated to reduce the tax burden?Recognizing that every dollar the Township has is provided by property owners, I voted to reduce salaries for the elected officials starting this fiscal year, 2017-2018. The current board has directed staff to review service contracts, maintenance agreements, and other services provided to determine if savings can be accomplished thru re-negotiations, a consolidation of providers, and/or completion of services in house. I will take the lead on this to ensure Ela Township is providing the best value for taxpayers.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Ela Township is blessed to have a State recognized, award winning 55+ program that flourishes with their Director, staff and volunteers. They have a Senior Resource office ready to help our resident seniors transition to Medicare, and answer questions regarding supplemental insurance, pharmaceutical discount programs, etc. Our 55+ program offers fitness programs, health wellness programs, field trips, lunches with guest speakers, and many other opportunities to enhance the lives of our aging residents. In addition, Ela Township's 55+ program is currently offering programs/trips that actually generate revenue which in turn allows us to expand programs to our Seniors without the need to increase fees or costs to taxpayers. This program provides an outlet for those living alone to gather and foster friendships with a direct impact on our communities. I want to ensure the value and cost effective approach, brought to our community through 55+ and the Township's other programs, continues in a sustainable way in the coming years.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Whether Cubs or Sox fan, you must admire Joe Madden's leadership and accomplishments, something no one has been able to do in over 100 years.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Family is most important. Always have dinner together. Travel and spend time together while you can. Time is short; you'll be glad you did.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I regret losing touch with old friends I've made along the way.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Took numerous business classes, including shorthand, which helped prepare me to work for the VP of Sales and as Village Clerk of Lake Zurich.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Something we've all heard before - find something you're passionate about. If you do what you love, you'll never work a day in your life.