Former Trustee Terry Weppler takes over as Libertyville village president
He's a 1969 graduate of Libertyville High School and in his professional career, Terry Weppler was a police officer in Glencoe before becoming a lawyer specializing in real estate and zoning issues.
He's been involved with an array of committees and community groups, and headed the Libertyville Days festival and annual parade committees. He also was among the youngest to ever hold a position as village trustee, serving from 1979 to 1985.
And in Libertyville's first contested mayoral race in 20 years, Weppler returned to the village board by easily unseating incumbent Jeff Harger.
Following are the new mayor's answers to questions posed by the Daily Herald.
Q: What did you learn from the campaign that you hope to put into action as mayor?
A: There are many issues that residents asked about during our numerous coffees. We need to communicate better with our residents. I would like to get better communication through more interaction with other government groups, improve our Web site and make the village more accessible to residents through information booths during community events.
Q: Does the lack of experience on a reconstituted village board present a challenge during a difficult financial time?
A: The experience of this village board can be a positive. We have new board members coming in with years of experience in business. Jay (Justice) has years of experience assisting in running the village's largest employer. Todd (Gaines) runs his own business and has financial experience in that area. Rich's (Moras) background is in helping business development and solving financial problems. The new board will bring in a fresh perspective on the current budget and offer new perspective on how we view the budget.
Q: What will be the first initiative, project or proposal you develop?
A: Developing coordination between the numerous volunteer groups and the village and creating communication so that people who want to volunteer know what can be done. The one thing I found out during the campaign was that many people would like to volunteer to help in this village but don't know where to go.
Q: Do you have any specific plans to offset the drop in sales tax revenue from auto dealers?
A: I plan to sit down with the car dealers, MainStreet, Peterson Road business owners' association, the chamber and other business leaders to learn ways we can help their businesses grow. We have many residents with extensive business experience who we can look to for their knowledge and input.
Q: Name something you admire about your predecessor. What do you want to do better?
A: Jeff devoted countless hours to the village. He was well respected among Lake County officials and helped keep Libertyville financially viable during our economic downturn. I would like to try and improve relationships with community groups and other governmental bodies.
Q: How will you put your mark on this office?
A: Greater information to residents, village views (newsletter) and Web site will be expanded to provide more information to residents. Honor volunteers, provide more information on village Web site giving volunteer information and opportunities to volunteer and projects volunteer groups can do for this village.
Q: Anything else you consider important?
A: There are many issues that I would like to have us review. The FAR (floor area ratio) ordinance was not popular with many people and I would like to review other options to protect neighborhoods from McMansions that are more equitable. I would like to review the historic preservation ordinance, which was put on hold and never voted on by the board. The board should review it and make a decision. I would like to have the board review a condominium ordinance to protect residents from condominium redevelopment.