Beverly Sussman: 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: Buffalo GroveWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Buffalo Grove Village Board (4-year Terms)Age: Candidate did not respond.Family: ? Married, 3 Children, 8 Grandchildren 41 year resident of Buffalo GroveOccupation: ? Retired 6th Grade Science Teacher-Kildeer School District #96-25 years Retired Adjunct Professor at National Louis University Retired President of AIM Business Printers Trustee for the Village of Buffalo GroveEducation: ? Master Of Science in Education, City University of New York, 1969 Bachelor Of Arts, City University of New York, 1962 69 credits above a Masters DegreeCivic involvement: ? Trustee for the Village of Buffalo Grove. 2009-2013 Liaison to the Plan Commission, Buffalo Grove Days Committee and Commission For Residents With Disabilities Board Member of Kildeer School District #96 Foundation For Excellence Commissioner with the Commission For Residents With Disabilities for 15 years Member of the Anniversary Committee for the Village of Buffalo Grove Involved with Fun and Food For Residents With Disabilities Involved with Buddy Baseball Recipient of the United Way Participation Award Recipient of the Best Friend Award from the Buffalo Grove Park District Represented the State of Illinois in Washington D.C. as the recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence In Science and Math Teaching (PAEMST) Served on a committee for Senator Matt Murphy Presenter at Career Night for School District#214 Presenter for the Girl Scout Badge-Science Around Town Sponsor for the Shuttle Bus for Buffalo Grove Days and the Buffalo Grove Art Fair Sponsored Baseball Teams for the Thoroughbred League, Palomino League and Buddy Baseball Sponsor of the Illinois Special Olympics with the Buffalo Grove Police Dept. Event Sponsor for the Science Olympiad at Buffalo Grove High School Judge for the Illinois Junior Academy of Science (Science Fair) Presented Science Workshops for Teachers on a local, regional, state, and national level Presented students to the Village of Buffalo Grove to proclaim Earth Day in Buffalo Grove Helped write brochures for the CRD (Commission For Residents With Disabilities) Wrote and published articles in journals to help teachers in the state of Illinois and USA to use hands-on science activities in their classrooms: SPECTRUM, Science and Children, The Science Teacher Member of the Buffalo Grove Chamber Of Commerce -Gold Member - 15 years Member of Lincolnshire, Wauconda, and GMLV Chamber of Commerce Sponsored Events for Stevenson High School and Vernon Hills High School Donations and Contributions to the Village of Buffalo Grove, Buffalo Grove Chamber of Commerce, Buffalo Grove Park District, and Misc. School DistrictsElected offices held: Trustee for the Village of Buffalo Grove, 2009-2013Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: No.Candidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 My Number 1 Campaign Issue is to concentrate on economic growth and development in the Village. The Dundee Road corridor and the Milwaukee Avenue corridor need to be developed. We should be aggressive and pursue new business opportunities. Economic Development is one of the five strategic planning priorities identified in our Strategic Plan. We need an Economic Development Coordinator/Specialist who will help us to accomplish this goal.Key Issue 2 My Number 2 Campaign Issue is to continue making it easier for businesses to relocate to Buffalo Grove, remain in Buffalo Grove or open up in Buffalo Grove. In the past four years, the Board has done many things to accomplish this goal. They include: changing and improving the sign code, making variations to the sign code on an individual basis, approving special uses for: retail sales, recreational facilities, building additions, special uses in the industrial district, amending parking restrictions, having the Plan Commission approve signs, etc. We must continue being business friendly to new and existing businesses by reducing the time it takes for a business to be approved in the Village, by making additional and necessary changes to the sign code, by shortening the time it takes to get on the agenda, etc.Key Issue 3 My number 3 Campaign Issue is related to the proposed Downtown Development. This idea or concept is just that, a concept. We cannot and must not get ahead of ourselves. At the present time, there are just too many variables involved. The residents of Buffalo Grove must be kept informed and have an opportunity to share their opinions. I want to know how the residents of Buffalo Grove feel about the proposed development; I want community involvement. I will not make any decision or come to any conclusion until all of the issues are researched, investigated and discussed.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I am the best candidate for Trustee for the Village of Buffalo Grove. For the past 4 years, I have been a Trustee for the Village Of Buffalo Grove. I was a commissioner with the Commission For Residents With Disabilities for 15 years. I also served on the Buffalo Grove 50th Anniversary Committee. I am a liaison for the Plan Commission, Buffalo Grove Days Committee, Commission For Residents With Disabilities, and formerly with the Board of Health, sign code committee and appearance review team. I am well prepared for every meeting I attend. I complete hours of work and preparation before each meeting. I have excellent communications skills and decision making skills. My decisions are well thought out before coming to conclusions that will have a lasting impact on the Village. I do my homework before each meeting by evaluating and processing the information. I am knowledgeable, experienced, open minded, independent and passionate in what I do. I want to represent the residents of Buffalo Grove. I am the best candidate for the job.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.There is a delicate balance between the need for revenue and over-taxing local businesses. Buffalo Grove's present level of local sales taxes is just right. We maintain a balanced budget and provide the services necessary to the residents of Buffalo Grove. We are very careful not to over tax local businesses.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 is safety in our schools. Perhaps, if not for the recent tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut, this would not have been the number one safety issue. However, this is a real concern and must be discussed and addressed in each school district with the school board, parents and faculty members. The Buffalo Grove Police Dept. can be very helpful in discussing lock down procedures and safety precautions that can be utilized with the school districts.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 Buffalo Grove has done an excellent job prioritizing its budget. It has received outstanding bond ratings from Standard and Poors and Moody (AAA-Aaa ratings). The Village has received a distinguished budget presentation award from the GFOA-Government Finance Officers Association. The total number of full time and part time employees has been reduced. The Village Board is constantly looking for ways to save money and maintain a balanced budget.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?The idea that I have to better the community that nobody is talking about is to have all trucks and vans that belong to people doing work in the Village have their company name on their truck or van. Unmarked trucks/vans are a potential threat for home thefts. In addition, we would be able to check and see if these businesses are licensed and have pulled the correct permits. We would know where inspections have to be made to ensure that their work was done safely and according to code. I am more interested in the safety aspect than the monetary revenue.