Kathleen Pender: 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 Lake ParkWebsite: http://www.rlpbb.comOffice sought: Round Lake Park Mayor (4-year Term)Age: 60Family: Married since 1973 to Patrick, two daughters, Coleen and Megan, son-in-law, Willie and two grandchildren Liam 7 and Ireland 2.Occupation: Currently work part-time as a membership services specialist at Sam's Club in Gurnee and happily care for, my 2 year old granddaughter, until she is ready for preschool.Education: Graduated from St Benedict High School in Chicago. Attended CLC on an ongoing basis from 1989 through 2005: business, communications and fine arts were the focus. At the University of Illinois, I attended The Academy of Municipal Excellence 2007-2008.Civic involvement: WINGS (Women in Government) Actively participate in previous Local Campaigns on a regular basis (getting signatures, passing out literature for candidates other than myself) I try to promote the importance of voting, even if it is not for me or my candidate. Trustee, Village of Round Lake Park 5/2/06 thru 12/16/08, Chairman of Finance, Code Enforcement Committee, Human Resources Committee, Shop with a Cop, Summer Festival, Lake Clean-up, Christmas Tree Lighting, Halloween Golf Cart Drive along, Decorations for Parade Floats, Adopt a Classroom, Fall Festival Pumpkin Decorating for kids, Volunteer Cheerleading Coach for St. Gilbert, 4-H Leader in Ceramics. When my husband was Deputy Chief of Police in Mundelein, I spoke at orientations about the experience of living in a household with a law enforcement spouse/family member, by giving them some realistic examples of how difficult it can be from personal experience. Attended the Academy of Municipal Excellence, as well as IML conferences.Elected offices held: Trustee, Village of Round Lake Park 5/06 - 12/08Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Balancing the budget. Making sure that RLP is meeting the needs of its residents in all areas. Being responsible and accountable for all expenditures....being willing to make the tough decisions that are ahead of us. If the referendum for funding the police pension fails....making sure that it doesn't fall by the wayside, like it has for years. We need to find a way to work together, be creative, think outside the box and go full speed ahead for a stronger, financially stable and family oriented Round Lake Park. Communicating with residents is one of the keys to the success of Round Lake Park.Key Issue 2 Garbage transfer station. Is this the best decision for the residents of Round Lake Park? Is it worth changing the land use that could negatively impact surrounding home owners?Key Issue 3 Economic Growth. At some point I would like to see Round Lake Park hire a specialist in economic growth and development..even on a part-time basis, initially to focus on bringing more business into our community.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I am passionate about helping Round Lake Park and its residents succeed in making it an even better place to live and work. It is a diverse community that deserves the best customer service that the Mayor and Trustees can provide. I am not afraid to make the tough decisions ahead and will make with the help of an enthusiatic board that is also diverse and ready to go forward...wherever that may take us. I have some experience, but am not afraid to reach to others with more expertise. I am a good communicator, don't shy away from confrontation and generally meet problems head on.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.I think our tax level is average. I think there is room for a small increase if necessary, but would prefer not to do so.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.Safety. Whether it is our children, our home, our seniors..it is a concern. Our police deoartment does a good job, but we as residents need to share that responsibility. If we are willing to take it upon ourselves to watch and make sure kids walking home from the school bus make it there okay..to check on an elderly neighbor when you haven't seen him for awhile...call the police when you see something suspicious...help each other.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?I would like to see more money spent on economic and community development. I think the budget would have to be scrutinized line by line, to weed out necessary versus wish list.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?The whole village working together as a team...talking to employees,getting their ideas both positive and negative. doing a much better job of communicating with residents, transparency is key, residents have a right to see how their village government is handling their money.