Holly Kim: 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: MundeleinWebsite: www.MundeleinUnited.comTwitter: @MundeleinHollyFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/MundeleinUnited/Office sought: Mundelein Mayor Age: 36Family: Proud mother to:-Daughters Kelly and Wendy Ning who are currently attending Carl Sandburg and on the robotics team. -Son Malachi Ning who attends Mechanics Grove School and Ki Martial Arts after school program.Occupation: Manager, Marketing Communications for Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health CareEducation: Social Media Certificate - College of Lake CountyBachelor of Arts - Northeastern Illinois University, Spanish and Latino StudiesGlenbrook North High SchoolCivic involvement: *Represent.us Lake County Chapter Co-founder (nation's largest grassroots anti-corruption campaign)*Lake County IL Bull Creek-Brook Council Board Member*District 75 Educational Foundation*Mundelein Police statue committee*Hanul Family Senior Center Board member*Board President, Village Homesteading Mundelein 501c3 *Volunteer at School district 75, Mundelein High School, Community Protestant ChurchElected offices held: *Local Director, Hoffman Estates Junior Chamber*Treasurer, Green Oaks Libertyville Mundelein Junior Chamber*Local Director, Green Oaks Libertyville Mundelein Junior Chamber*Trustee, Village of MundeleinQuestions Answers Do you believe residents should be allowed to keep chickens or hens in their backyards? Why or why not? If you do support this, will you make it a priority if elected?The issue of keeping chickens in backyards came before the Mundelein Village Board over four years ago when former Mayor Ken Kessler was in office and before I was a Trustee. At that time it was voted down. I am aware that the communities of Grayslake, Wauconda, and Long Grove have passed such ordinances. While I am personally open to the concept of expanding the rights of property owners, this item is not my priority. My priority is driving economic growth and streamlining village processes to save taxpayer dollars. Interestingly the Village of Mundelein allows Vietnamese pot bellied pigs and has not received any complaints about this practice.Do you support video gambling in town? Why or why not?Gaming passed in 2013, and after careful watch for the concerns voiced by residents, it's been almost five years now without incident. Rather than focus on topics of the past, I would push Mundelein to open the chokehold placed on our business owners, so they have more control. This will encourage free market enterprise and competition. In principle and practice, free markets are defined by private property rights, voluntary contracts and competitive bidding for goods and services in the marketplace. Let's focus on the economy, bringing jobs for our talented residents, and making it right for the business owner. This will help catapult Mundelein as a leader among our neighboring municipalities.Has the village's effort to attract new businesses and help the businesses operating here been successful? What programs or initiatives will you propose if elected to help businesses?I think the Village has been doing a decent job attracting new businesses, but it's not doing enough for the existing business owners. Our grant program has helped a few local existing businesses, sometimes more than once. But there are many who apply for the grant and are not awarded, or even seen by the board. The process needs to be reviewed and improved upon. If data shows evidence that the current program cost is providing a profitable return on investment, I would propose an expansion of the program.I want to stop our current administration's hemorrhaging of businesses. We need to be proactive in retaining our current, long-standing businesses, and actively listening to our business owners; they know what they need to improve economic development and our community as a whole. Too often I've seen the Village become reactionary when a business threatens to leave. To be proactive, we need to build relationships with our current businesses, make certain their voices are heard, keep track of when we meet face-to-face with them, have a strategic purpose to discuss so we don't waste their time, and a promise to follow-up on questions asked.An initiative I would like to address is the revision of our antiquated zoning laws that on many occasions have stopped economic development in its tracks. We need to take an in-depth look into the current zoning laws and propose revisions where appropriate.Describe your leadership style and explain how you think that will be effective in producing effective actions and decisions with your village board or city council.Growing up with a father who was President of the Jaycees and President of the Chamber of Commerce, I learned to take immense pride in my community and become a champion for business owners. My leadership style is adaptable to the demands of the situation, the requirements of the people involved, and the challenges facing our community. Many would say I'm a driver that generates momentum, accomplishes projects, and challenges the "we've always done it that way" mentality.Politically, my views are moderate and I do not affiliate with one party. I have visited and listened to residents of all walks, ages, and political affiliations fairly and equally. I'm a coalition builder who will work with the current and future board to make sure everyone's feedback is heard and respected. In the community, I've proven to be someone who fights for the residents. I'm not afraid to roll up my sleeves and literally pick up a shovel. I've organized a volunteer group every year for a-May-Zing Mundelein day of service, Carmel Street scenes, and the 4th of July beer tent. I firmly believe "you get what you put in", and a community thrives on those who invest their time and talents for the betterment of others.What is one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?Remember the days when everyone knew who their neighbor was? I would love to start a block party grant program for the Village. Residents who pull a permit for a block party and organize with their neighbors would qualify to be reimbursed a set amount for certain costs including food, and non-alcoholic beverages. We already allow police cars, fire trucks, and ambulances to visit block parties and I believe this would go a long way to improve community relationships and offer improved education opportunities about emergency services at these events. These types of grassroots community events help neighbors get to know their neighbors and strengthen bonds in the community. Long term benefits include higher safety as neighbors look out for one another and call the police on suspicious activity, and lower call volumes for village services regarding neighbor disputes. Another one of my passions is encouraging others to serve. While we can welcome new residents and businesses in the usual fashion with a packet of brochures and print outs, I want to ensure that they also have a list of volunteer opportunities and non-profit organizations unique to Mundelein in an effort to not only welcome, but encourage community involvement. A third idea I'd like to encourage is a quarterly community open house for new businesses. It will help tie a name and a face to contact if they have any questions after moving to Mundelein. It's about raising the bar on service to our businesses.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Since many of my goals from 2013 have been met, and I'm not one to sit around, I'll continue to work on those platforms, and more for 2017.An important issue that cannot be overlooked is continued relationship building between our residents and peacekeepers. As a divide is occurring nationally, I think it is important to support Chief Guenther and public safety in following a community policing model. Community policing, or community-oriented policing, is a strategy that focuses on building ties and working closely with members of the community. If you want cooperation from residents, the relationship building to see our police as a human face - goes a long way, and helps tear down walls.Chief Guenther shares this philosophy, and he has done an excellent job implementing it through programs like the Latino citizens police academy and the women's self defense course. I pledge to continue that commitment to a stellar community through outreach and diligent actions. The block party grant ties in well with this philosophy. It's interesting that sometimes the most innovative techniques are the ones that were from the old days, and nothing beats crime and breaks barriers like quality-oriented friendship with the community.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Tesla and SpaceX CEO: Elon Musk. Ambitious, has unprecedented standards of excellence, and aggressive goal setting. "Constantly think about doing things better and questioning yourself."What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Respect your elders.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I cannot say there's anything I'd do over. I intentionally live life to the fullest, and that means embracing failures and successes.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Horticulture. A Northbrook Garden Club scholarship recipient, I started a sustainability nonprofit. It has given me an appreciation for the environment and local food movement.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Kids, think smart and have good manners. Just those two skills alone will take you anywhere you want to go in life.