Patricia P. Thomas, 4 years: 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: Green OaksWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Green Oaks Village board, 4-year termAge: 62Family: Divorced, four children, 3 grandchildrenOccupation: Senior Clinical Supplies Program ManagerEducation: Bachelor of Science in Nursing, University of WyomingCivic involvement: Member and Chariman of Village of Green Oaks Plan Commission - 1995 - 2006concession stand - Libertyville Boys Clubconcession stand Libertyville Girls BasketballElected offices held: Trustee Village of Green Oaks - 2006 - present Finance Committee ChairmanHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Maintain the fiscal responsibility demonstrated by our current Village Board and past village boardsKey Issue 2 Protecting the safety of our citizens.Key Issue 3 Protect the value of our citizen's property while maintaining their privacy.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I have been involved with the Village for 16 years.First as a plan commission member and then by becoming Plan Commission Chairman. During my tenure as chairman, the final subdivisions and the anexation of Rondout were completed. As Finance chairman, I initiated the financing of the Atkinson Road project. In the type of economic situation that we are currently experiencing,it is better to make a decision from a position of strength. Because we initiated this finanacing at a time when our revenues were as yet unaffected by the economic down term,we were able to receive a Triple A rating and a low interst rate which will allow us to ride out this economic down turn and still have sufficient financial solidity to address any emergency issues that may happen in the next few years.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.Currently our tax situation is holding steady but it is recognized that Green Oaks needs to build a sound commercial base in order to finance future infrastructure needs and to maintain the safety of our citizens.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.The maintenance of our roads and the control of flooding are some of our citizen's biggest cocnerns. It will be up to the citizens of our village as to whether the Village of Green Oaks changes a long standing policy of no Village Property Tax. We are proud that our fiscal responsibility is such that we have maintained that policy for the 50 years the Village has been in existance. The voters in our Village must determine whether we continue that policy or institute a tax to meet their expressed concerns. Adding a property tax will not be the Board's first choice. Attracting revenue generating businesses to our Village would be preferred and continuing our policy of requesting grants to help pay for the costs of our Village needs. Intergovernmental agreements to help share the cost are always considered when it will benefit Green OaksIn 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 Board is very conservative in its allocation of money for the needs of the Village. There may be projects that will be delayed due to the economic down turn.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?While our Village citizens are some of the most responsible citizens in recycling, I believe educating our citizens to conserve the use of water by learning about appropriate landscaping such as rain gardens, the use of rain barrels and conserving use of electicity and apprpriately heating our homes will position our villagers to meet the challenge of conserving our use of our natural resources. This is not necessarily a new idea but one whose moment has come.