Buffalo Grove hopefuls want to help businesses

In the Buffalo Grove trustee race, six candidates say they know how to help the village's economy.

Incumbent Jeff Braiman, Joann Johnson, Andrew Stein, Lisa Stone, Beverly Sussman and Mike Terson recently threw out their ideas, which include tax incentives and new marketing plans.

Stone said the village has to be more business friendly by creating more incentives. She pointed to the village's town center, which she'd like to see as a hub, which it is not now, she said.

"I think we need to bring different communication," Stone said. "Bring in some minds in the community, who are out of the box - creative thinkers - people who are willing to volunteer their time, to come up with solutions. sometimes it's just a matter of shaking it up."

Sussman said she also worries about residents looking for work. She suggests perhaps a Web site could be created for residents to post resumes.

Also, the village should do more to attract businesses by changing its image.

"I walked around and I was talking to people... I survey people and they kept saying to me Buffalo Grove... is known for three things: banks, gas stations and fast food," Sussman said. "I was very upset when I heard this. This is my town. This is where I live. I think we have to change the image of Buffalo Grove a little bit so it's a little bit more than those three things."

Terson said the village should be more business friendly, pointing to sign codes which he called a bit stringent. He said the village should work to create a downtown, which would be in addition to the town center.

"I think we need to look at way to make a true historic-looking downtown similar to one you might find in St. Charles or Geneva - something where high end retail high end restaurant, a true destination point," Terson said. "On a long-term scale by doing that, property values will increase, sales tax revenue will increase."

Stein said commercial development was one of his top priorities.

He added that the village could take after Skokie, which actively advertises what a great place it is to work and live.

He said Skokie has a Web site, in addition to the village site, that promotes the town, which is something the village could look into.

"We need to support the existing businesses through whatever means we have possible and that will help bring in extra revenue," Stein said.

Johnson said the village should take a twofold approach - helping existing businesses and attracting new companies. She said there could be more remodeling programs, waiving zoning and building requirements, phasing-in provisions and lower developer impact fees.

"We, as a village, need to find things that we are willing to sacrifice in order to entice businesses to come into the village," Johnson said.

Braiman said in regard to the economy there should be two focuses: maintaining and expanding the revenue and cost containment. As far as keeping the budget down, the village is looking at its wage and benefits for all employees, with salaries perhaps becoming merit based.

Also, the village has been doing a lot to help businesses like giving out tax incentives and changing its business sign ordinances.

"We have changed our laws," Braiman said. "We have been trying to get people in here. I think we have done a lot to have approached businesses. We continue to try to do more and more."