Cheryl G. Ross: 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: GurneeWebsite: http://home.comcast.net/~cheryl4gurneeOffice sought: Gurnee Village boardAge: 59Family: Married for 36 years to David Ross. Three adult children.Occupation: Retired Teacher. Taught at Woodland Elementary School for 35 years. Taught First Grade, Second Grade, Remedial Math, and served as an Elementary Math Specialist.Education: B.S. in Elementary Education from Carroll College. M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction from National-Louis UniversityCivic involvement: Founding Member of Bethel Lutheran Church. Board Member of Lake County Convention and Business Bureau.Elected offices held: Village of Gurnee Trustee, 2007-2011Appointed Office: Gurnee Plan Commission, 1999-2007Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Maintain quality village services for the residents of Gurnee. We have a dedicated and loyal village staff that provides excellent service while being fiscally responsible. As trustees our job is to find the resources and provide the direction for the staff.Key Issue 2 Support our business community. This is done by reasonable ordinances and board decisions. We also have to actively promote new business ventures and speak positively about existing businesses in Gurnee. I was involved in the #147;Gurnee#146;s Got It#148; campaign to promote business and tourism in Gurnee.Key Issue 3 Keep Gurnee a great place to live, work and raise a family. I support our award-winning Park District and attractions such as Six Flags and Key Lime Cove. We also have a great working relationship with other government agencies such as the schools, library, and township.Questions Answers How do you view Gurnee Mills#146; performance in the village?It is our top sales tax generator. The mall management has done an excellent job upgrading and improving the facilities. New businesses are opening and security is doing a good job. If you walk around the mall, you will find very few vacant stores as compared to other area malls.Where do you stand on the village#146;s red-light camera program?I believe all decisions on this should be based on facts, not emotion. Our initial decision was based on the issue of safety. One of our police officers reviews the video of every violation. We only send a ticket if that officer would have issued a citation if he/she had been there. I hope that revenue from this source goes down because that means people are obeying the traffic laws.Tell us your ideas about the future of the East Grand Avenue corridor.If you create a favorable business climate and make Gurnee an excellent place to do business, we will receive proposals from businesses that want to open on East Grand. We could also encourage upgrading of the existing businesses. We must support organizations like the Gurnee Chamber of Commerce, or the Lake County Convention and Visitor#146;s Bureau, and campaigns like #147;Gurnee#146;s Got It.#148;What should the village do about empty space intended for the Heroes of Freedom Memorial?If Mr. Morris had spoken to the Mayor again after she first raised concerns, this could have been resolved. As long as there is pending litigation, we as sitting trustees, have been advised by the Village Attorney not to make comments on the specifics of this site.Are you committed to keeping a local sales tax and not reimposing a property tax? Explain your answer.I support all efforts to strengthen retail activities, amusement, and tourism in Gurnee. Strong sales, hotel, and amusement tax revenues are how we fund village services.