Debra Vander Weit: 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: Lake ZurichWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Lake Zurich Village Board (2-year Term)Age: 51Family: Two childrenOccupation: Financial Services Consultant and Illinois Licensed Real Estate BrokerEducation: Bachelor of Science in Finance, Elmhurst College, 1994Civic involvement: Member Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce Member Lake Zurich Chamber Government Affairs Committee Member Lake Zurich Rotary ClubElected offices held: Candidate did not respond.Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 TIF bond payments due in 2013 With the TIF bond payments coming due this year, it is important for the village to identify opportunities to refinance the debt. In the meantime, revenues can be immediately generated from existing structures in areas outside of the TIF district, such as our beautiful industrial park that includes newer industrial and warehouse structures that sit vacant. A collaborative effort with the Industrial Council, Lake County Partners, and the Lake Zurich Chamber of Commerce can entice businesses to relocate to Lake Zurich to enjoy tax breaks and benefit from all-time low sales prices and lease rates. A town hall meeting should be held prior to the elections to inform residents about the mechanics of TIF, the TIF obligation, the impact of the economic downturn on the original TIF proforma, and the resulting financial impact on the village. Understanding the complexity of the TIF bond mechanics will help residents make informed voting decisions that impact the community.Key Issue 2 Realistic and responsible development in the TIF district Every person I talk to in our community wants to see development in the downtown TIF district. The common statement isWhy can't Lake Zurich be like Wauconda?? Wauconda is very fortunate to have habitable, sound masonry buildings lining their main street. They also have a board of trustees that work together with the mayor to create a business friendly environment. In downtown Lake Zurich, a number of buildings were raised and land cleared for the purpose of development, yet we still have no plans for developing those sites. Finally, Lake Zurich has a reputation as a non-business friendly community. With a collaborative board of trustees working together with the mayor, we can encourage economic development and a change of reputation. With change, Lake Zurich has an excellent opportunity to attract well-capitalized businesses and developers to invest in our great community.Key Issue 3 Professional board leadership - I am disappointed that the current village trustees were unable to fulfill their fiduciary responsibility to the residents of Lake Zurich and work together to move us forward. Lake Zurich is facing complex financial issues that require levelheaded, objective, professional individuals who will work together and take their fiduciary responsibility to the residents seriously. United LZ represents a team of action-oriented business professionals, selected by Suzanne Branding, to focus on solving these complex issues for the betterment of the community.Questions Answers What is your position on what needs to be done to jump-start downtown redevelopment and how soon does this need to get happen?My position is to jump-start re-development and new development this spring. To accomplish this goal, I propose an aggressive marketing campaign of the Lake Zurich TIF district to public and private developers with a request for qualifications and proposals for new, mixed-use development. The marketing campaign will include collaborating with Lake County Partners, the Chamber of Commerce, public developers, and well-capitalized private developers. The mixed-use development needs to align with our current economy, in which the market dictates the appropriate use within the overall vision for the village. I?m a proponent of mixed-use developments in the TIF district with a primary emphasis on retail and non-retail components. This needs to be a well thought plan to keep the highest incremental tax revenue in the village. Even with an aggressive approach to attracting downtown redevelopment, the cycle time for planning, permitting, construction, and opening for business is quite a lengthy process. Concurrently, I think incentives for the purchase and rehab of existing village-owned structures should be offered to businesses and developers. The rehab of existing structures will jump start the generation of needed revenues as new development is underway. Before any marketing plan can succeed, the village's overall customer service and negative reputation towards businesses and the community must improve. Through timely communications, a review of the procedures within the building department, and streamlining of the permitting approval process, we can create an environment that attracts quality, profitable development and businesses that will generate the highest revenues for the community.What are your views on any kind of financial incentives to attract future development? Do you have any concerns about offering breaks in the wake of those recently received by the developer of Mariano?s?I am a proponent of incentives for future development, provided the overall revenues and resulting financial forecast will support an incremental tax benefit to the village. I?m a bottom line business person that thinks any project approval should be based on the merits of the revenues generated. A developer's presentation of the project financials should be logical, verifiable, and understandable.In these tight economic times, municipal budgets have to be prioritized. Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed? Conversely, is there something that should be reinstated or have resources directed toward?It would be irresponsible for me to suggest trimming anything from the budget or redirecting resources without first consulting with each department head to understand their budgetary needs for continuing services, and the prioritization of those needs. However, I am a proponent of identifying operational efficiencies, and eliminating waste to benefit the budget.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?I think a facility with an indoor ice arena to promote Hockey and Figure Skating programs for all ages, combined with other indoor sports would benefit our family oriented, sports-minded community. In addition to the property tax revenues, this facility would generate revenues from the sale of ice time to surrounding community hockey teams, classes, and concessions. It would also create additional jobs in the community.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.I think the biggest safety concern is having a sidewalk along Church St. on the opposite side of the LZHS, as well as the installation of the traffic light at LZHS. A side walk should be installed and someone within the village needs to champion taking on IDOT with tenacity to get the light and sidewalk installed in a timely manner.