Suzanne Blohm, 2 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: Fox River GroveWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Fox River Grove Village board, 2-year termAge: 46Family: Married for 18 years, three children, resident of Fox River Grove for 16 yearsOccupation: Registered NurseEducation: Bachelor of Science, University of Illinois, Urbana,ILMaster of Science Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana,IL Associates of Nursing, Harper College, Palatine, ILCivic involvement: Middle School Volleyball Coach 2009, 2010Elected offices held: Village Trustee, Fox River Grove 1998-2003 and 2010-2011Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: Candidate did not respond.Candidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 My number one priority, if elected, is to continue maintaining a balanced budget while providing quality services to our residents.Key Issue 2 Candidate did not respond.Key Issue 3 Candidate did not respond.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?As a taxpayer, resident, and parent I share the same struggles and concerns as others in our community. I am committed to continuing initiatives that balance revenues and expenditures, while maintaining quality services for our residents.My previous experiences as a trustee, finance committee chairperson and Budget Officer demonstrate proof of my capabilities. During my tenure (1998-2003), we implemented a financial plan that balanced revenues with expenditures, providing the means to begin an operating reserve fund. We also implemented a 10 year plan to address the need for relocation of our Public Works department and the expansion of our Wastewater treatment plant. These initiatives are still utilized as the basis of Village operations. One of my proudest accomplishments was the initiation of conversations that led to leasing our water tower for cell phone antennas, resulting in approximately $90,000 in annual revenues. I consider it an honor and privilege to serve the Village as a Trustee.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.Fox River Grove is a bedroom community, with little industry and retail tax base. As such, the Village relies heavily on residential property taxes. Property taxes also support other taxing bodies in our community; including schools, fire district and library. In an effort to accomplish what residents desire, such as redevelopment of the downtown area, park improvements, and maintenance of our roads; we need to generate more sales tax revenues through increased business, as well as new sources of sales tax revenues. Fox River Grove has always operated under tight budgetary constraints and has been diligent about keeping expenditures low while providing quality services to our residents. The challenge for this Village administration is to ensure one specific area does not shoulder the entire burden of balancing the budget. We need to concentrate our efforts on economic development/redevelopment in order to generate new sales tax revenue.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 biggest public safety concern our residents face, currently, is the expansion of our Wastewater treatment facility and relocation of our Public Works facility. The need for a new Public Works facility is being dictated by the need to expand our Wastewater treatment facility to meet new IEPA guidelines. The #8220;ideal#8221; Public Works facility would include a storage facility, office space, salt storage, and vehicle repair bays all in one location. The initial estimates of this type of facility were not realistic for our Village's budget. The solution is to build the facility in stages that will be more manageable from a budgetary perspective. We need to also consider consolidation of services or outsourcing of services where it is feasible.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?Fox River Grove has and continues to prioritize its budget, both short and long term. We continue to discuss any and all options. There are limited areas that would allow our budget to be cut, without reducing services. The current concern, that we can't control, is our State funding. Municipalities, like tax payers are shouldering this burden today. The Village's infrastructure is one budgetary area that requires additional funding. General improvements as well as new infrastructure will be required as we continue to strive for economic development.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?In an effort to make Fox River Grove a destination community, we need to consider ways to tie the east and west sides of Route 14 together in a safe, pedestrian friendly manner. Developing a pedestrian walkway above Route 14 or a walkway under the existing bridge are a few options we should explore.