Joyce Swieton: 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: Round LakeWebsite: http://www.communitycommitment.orgOffice sought: Round Lake Village Clerk (4-year Term)Age: 55Family: Married, four children, 5 grandchildren.Occupation: ClerkEducation: Graduate of Round Lake High School (1975) Municipal Clerks of Illinois Institute and Academy (2011)Civic involvement: Hometown Festival Committee Municipal Clerks of Lake CountyElected offices held: Village Clerk, Round Lake, 2009-2013Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Economic Growth in the Village. I feel we could do more to promote developers and businesses to our Village.Key Issue 2 To provide quality service to our residents without the burden of tax increases.Key Issue 3 Concept of Community. Celebrate the diversity of the community and bring neighbors together to embrace their ideas and suggestions for more community wide events.Questions Answers Some communities have contracted out for certain services, such as snowplowing, to save money. What innovative methods would you propose to reduce your office's budget? Explain your answer.I feel that if community contracting and community governments working together on the articulation of values, which incorporate citizen involvement on matters that directly affect safety and quality of life issues, would be for the better for our Village and residents and save tax dollars, then yes.The state's revised Freedom of Information Act guidelines renewed focus on open government. Name one specific step you would take if elected to increase government transparency in your office.I would maximize the imaging process of Village documents to provide easy access to Village documents.Do you believe the village clerk should be an elected or appointed position? Please explain your answer.The Clerk is a link between the community and the Mayor and Board of Trustees, so for that reason I believe the Clerk should be an elected position.What steps would you take as village clerk to improve and increase the flow of information to residents?I would implement more news items in the water bill and encourage residents to visit the Village's website regularly for updates, future meetings and events.If you are a newcomer, what prompted you to run for village clerk? If you're an incumbent, list your accomplishments or key initiatives in which you played a leadership role.I have organized and maintained Village records accurately and efficiently. I provided administrative support in modernizing the website and by providing greater on line tools, such as adding a list of all Village businesses to help promote our business community.