Alberta Adamson: Candidate Profile

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:BioKey IssuesQA Bio City: WheatonWebsite: http://albertavoiceforwheaton.comOffice sought: Wheaton City councilAge: Young Sr.Family: Married, husband - Dennis, 2 daughters, 5 grandchildren all live in WheatonOccupation: President Wheaton Historic Preservation Council / Center for HistoryEducation: BA - Museum Managment, DePaul University 1992Civic involvement: Wheaton Chamber of Commerce and former Board Member; founding member of Wheaton Historic Preservation Council, Longfellow PTA, Wheaton North Advisory, Wheaton Juniors Woman's Club, Chair Wheaton Sesquicentennial Celebration 1987-88 (founding of Wheaton), History Chair Wheaton Sesquicentennial 2008-09 (incorporation of Wheaton), Wheaton Historic Commission, Illinois State Historical Society Board, American Association for State and Local History Board, Rotary Club of Wheaton Service Above Self Award for Outstanding Service to the Community, Masons-Wheaton Lodge No. 269 Community Builders Award, WHPC Award, Chamber Ambassador of the Year AwardElected offices held: N/AHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Downtown revitalization is essential to economic development in Wheaton. Empty storefronts and failed developments are indicators that Wheaton has to be more proactive in attracting businesses, developers, and projects. As a city, we need to look at successful models in other communities like Naperville and Geneva. Over the past 2 years, Geneva has opened more new businesses than closed. The atmospheres in these towns attract people to shop, visit, dine, and spend dollars.I will work alongside the city in designing a formal plan that will bring economic revitalization to our city. The plan should include an analysis of any voids in retail and service businesses. The plan should also include strategies to support current businesses and cultural activities.Key Issue 2 Preserving Wheaton's Character is essential for a prosperous future. The Center for History is responsible for establishing an education center and preserving Wheaton's roots. The Center partners with schools, both locally and statewide, to support class curriculums and provide engaging educational programs for students. The Center launched the landmark program which recognizes historic structures in our city and provides guidance to residents interested in renovation of historic homes. The Center furnishes research and historic images to businesses, news media, city government, and the public. The City of Wheaton needs to make decisions regarding the unused Grand Theatre and the old Hubble school site. I believe adaptive reuse of these buildings is a sound solution for revitalization. I believe the city should support preserving its history, which the Center has done for the past 30 years. Having received over 45,000 artifacts and archives, the Center has made these items available to the public. At an average cost of $20 per household, it seems a small price to pay for our future. Carl Sandburg said, #8220;If we have no regard for our past, we will have little future worth remembering.#8221;Key Issue 3 Objective Approach to Issues is the best for our community. Regardless of the issue, all elected officials and commission appointees have an obligation to investigate and review all sides of an issue. Whether we are discussing the city's flooding problems, traffic flow issues, budget, or site development I pledge to thoroughly research and formulate an unbiased solution that will be in the best interest for the community.Questions Answers Should the city take an active role in the restoration of the Wheaton Grand Theater? Please explain why or why not.The Theatre is part of the revitalization of business in downtown Wheaton and government needs to be involved. Not only is the Wheaton Grand Theatre a Wheaton landmark, it is a national landmark and thus needs to be preserved. I think its future function should be investigated for adaptive reuse rather than restoration. The physical location of the building has a major impact both on the streetscape and revitalization of downtown.Should the city restore annual funding Wheaton's Center for History? Please explain why or why not.The city should restore its Agreement for Historical Preservation Services with the Center for History. A city ordinance exists committing itself to preserve and promote the history of Wheaton. Rather than hiring city staff to do this, the city outsourced this task to the Center for History. The Agreement funded less than 50% of the Center's operating budget for 18 years. In 2009, the city did not renew their contract with the Center for History, nor did they hire designated staff to fulfill the responsibility of the ordinance. This contract needs to be renewed so the responsibilities associated with the ordinance are fulfilled. The city renewing the contract with the Center for History would cost a Wheaton household less than $20 per year.How would you like to see the former Hubble Middle School property in downtown Wheaton redeveloped?I would like to see a mixed use of the site with the possible continuation of the Park District utilizing the fields and adaptive reuse of the building. The school could be retrofitted as a cultural center or boutique hotel, something that would bring revenue into the city without destroying the integrity of our neighborhood.How should the city deal with issues related to flooding?Flooding has been an ongoing concern for many years. The reasons for flooding are numerous and the solutions are complicated. The city needs to continue with its strategic plan and implement the necessary changes to alleviate the problem and inconveniences to its citizens.What effort should the city make to encourage the sale and redevelopment of the former Jewel site in downtown Wheaton?Redevelopment of this vacant site should be a priority. Securing a development that would contribute to the tax base would be ideal, but the concept of a tax-exempt project is also feasible. A sound economic development plan would help identify possible uses.