Becky Gillam: 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: West DundeeWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: West Dundee Village boardAge: 49Family: Craig, husband, 49 Haley, daughter, 20 Gus, son, 18Occupation: Interior Designer, sales associate, perennial plant specialist at a local nurseryEducation: Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design, Drake University, 1983.I have continued to reinforce and add to this education by taking numerous classes in architecture, design and CAD at several community colleges.Civic involvement: West Dundee Appearance Review Commission - 3 yearsDundee Township Backyard Garden ClubDundee Highlands PTC President - 2 yearsDundee-Crown POMP - PresidentDundee Middle School Plan Team - 5 yearsAdvance 300 VolunteerNew Friends Neighbors - member, 10 years; PresidentHeritage Fest Volunteer - 7 yearsDickens In Dundee volunteer - 6 yearsIrish Fest Volunteer - 2 yearsJDRF Family Walk Team Chair - 14 yearsJaycees - member, 9 years; Palatine Jaycee of the Year; IL State Individual Development Vice President of the YearPalatine Plan CommissionerElected offices held: West Dundee Village Trustee - 2007-presentHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: No.Candidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Economic development. Faced with retail competition both to the east and to the west, the Village needs to seek out prospective companies that complement, not compete with these areas and to become truly business-friendly in order to bring in business and help them stay successful. The recent changes to the sign ordinances is a step in that direction, giving businesses better visual presence. I would be open to discuss any idea that a business may bring before me for consideration.I would work to see the Village capitalize on our location along the Fox River. A Kane County grant was secured to begin stabilization of the shoreline and the work should begin this spring. I would like to bring more parking to the downtown, encourage owners to update and maintain their buildings through our Facade Loan and code-compliance programs (tax money that would stay in the community), and work with planners to redevelop some of the available properties in order to open up some space to make the downtown a truly enjoyable place to spend time. The 2010 addition of the planter boxes and replacement of the crumbling sidewalks, both grant-sponsored, was a great beginning.The Village needs to support the efforts of Spring Hill Mall to strengthen the entire retail area and to encourage the establishment of businesses that have local, as well as regional, appeal.Diversification of the tax base needs to be a priority as well, concentrating on Rt. 31, Randall Road and the Oakview Corporate Park. Other sources of revenue should be sought in order to avoid the need to raise property taxes. I am excited to see the improved use of technology to market and promote local businesses through the use of the new electronic Shop Local campaign, set to be launched in the Spring, on our recently redesigned Village website.Key Issue 2 Quality of Life. Residents have told me that one of the reasons they love West Dundee is because we enjoy a wonderful quality of life. I would continue to enthusiastically provide for the continued success of programs that the community desires, such as Heritage Fest, Dickens In Dundee and Movies in the Park. I am constantly impressed by our wonderful volunteers that step up to help the Village bring these activities, and many others, to the community. It's the creative, generous people that make it great to live in West Dundee. I would like to work with developers in the future to bring a senior assisted-living facility to West Dundee, so the people that make this town exceptional can continue to live in their own familiar community.Providing good, basic services is key to a good quality of life and to retaining and drawing residents, as well as businesses, to the area.Key Issue 3 Huntley Road expansion. The Village needs to impress upon both State and County governing officials the importance of this project to the area in order to alleviate congestion and provide safety improvements, such as a walking path. I would continue to pursue grants and devote Village resources to open transportation avenues from Randall Road to Spring Hill Mall and the downtown retail districts.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?When I am aware of a problem, I like to try to solve it, and I don't mind ""getting my hands dirty"". For example, one of the cuts made to the Village budget a few years ago was the outside landscaping service. The task then fell to Public Works, who were already busy with their scheduled work. A few friends and I set out two years ago to help tend to the Riverwalk gardening needs. Last year, we started an Earth Day project that grew into the whole downtown area, eventually involved over 150 wonderful volunteers, many local donating businesses and thousands of dollars worth of donated plants! Sometimes all you have to do is ask in order to receive help. I truly believe that participation brings with it a sense of community pride, safety and satisfaction. Hard work can make a difference! I always take the time to thoroughly research a problem before I need to make a decision. I ask questions. My civic and governmental background have taught me how to voice my concerns while listening to what others have to say. My architectural, construction, site planning background help in analyzing land use and development issues. My family and I have enjoyed living in West Dundee for over 11 years and have made an investment in this community. I hope to continue to play a positive, active role in finding the solutions that will create and maintain safety and a positive quality of life for our children and families for years to come. Given the delicate balance between the need for revenue and over-taxing local businesses, what is your opinion of your community's present level of local sales taxes? Is the tax just right, too low or too high? Explain.At 8.5%, the Village is able to leverage the most sales tax money for the taxpayer's use, while not deterring area shoppers. The Village's 1 1/2% Home Rule Sales Tax has historically been used for community development and capital improvements, two areas that cannot afford to be cut in the face of the search for new businesses and economic reinvestment.Talking with your friends and neighbors, what seems to be their biggest public safety concern? Explain the concern as you see it, and discuss how you think it should be addressed.Maintaining existing levels of service, in the Fire and Police Departments, as well as Public Works, in the face of our recent difficult financial times seems to be of great concern to our residents. This can, and has been, achieved through Intergovernmental Agreements, as well as through consolidation of services and equipment with our neighboring villages. A proposal for Police service consolidation was recently brought to the Village of West Dundee, East Dundee and Sleepy Hollow. The proposal is not perfect, but a good starting point for discussion. Even though there are obstacles in the face of such an agreement, I believe the difficulties can be worked through to the advantage of each Village in order to provide continued responsiveness while achieving greater efficiencies.In these tight economic times, municipal budgets have to be prioritized. Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?The Village of West Dundee has spent the last several years trimming Department budgets, delaying equipment purchases and, most notably, decreasing staff from 65 employees four years ago down to the current 56 employees. Even with the cuts over the years, the Village staff has achieved ""doing more with less"". For example, the redesign of the Village website was performed in-house through a collaborative effort of knowledgeable staff and a community volunteer. Further utilization of the expertise of community volunteers could be beneficial. It's important to continue to find of operational efficiencies, such as the development of an electronic newsletter, pursuing electrical efficiencies through better facility management and through the village's efforts to ""go green"", as well as rebidding existing contracts and consolidation of services.I would like to see additional funding, if available in the future, go to capital purchases. West Dundee stopped the practice of annual replacement of vehicle stock several years ago and due to this aging fleet, the Village has seen increases in the cost of vehicle maintenance. Although some Police cars, Public Works vehicles and Fire equipment replacements have been made through grants in recent years, these funding sources will be drying up very soon, and the responsibility will once again rest solely on the Village. What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?The Emerald Ash Borer has come to West Dundee and will be taking a toll on the local stock of parkway trees in the near future. Roughly 2300 trees in West Dundee could be affected by this infestation. The cost of removal and replanting is estimated to be more than $1,000,000. The West Dundee Public Works Director has suggested working with the Kane County Forest Preserve District, as well as other area municipalities, to discuss the possibility of the area Villages using some of the Brunner Forest Preserve property for an area-wide municipal tree nursery from which we could draw stock for replanting. If agreements could be reached, this could potentially save the Village over $230,000 and would be good for the entire region.