Lori Lyman: 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: Long GroveWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Long Grove Village Board (4-year Terms)Age: 50Family: Married, 2 childrenOccupation: Landscape ArchitectEducation: Bachelor of Landscape Architecture, University of Illinois, 1984.Civic involvement: Long Grove Affiliations: Architectural Commission 2002-2008, Historical Society Committee Chair 2009-2012, LGBCP 2006-2007,Garden club, Lions club. Campaign Chairperson United 4 Stevenson 2011. University of Illinois Design Committee McFarland Bell Tower 2007-2010. Chicago Flower and Garden Show Advisory Board 1999 Guest lecturer and instructor Chicago Botanic Garden 1993-1998Elected offices held: Board of Education Stevenson High School 2008-2012Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Development of Long Grove's business district including infrastructure, new building and incentivizing new business owners to invest in the village. I believe that a successful downtown creates a greater sense of community and pride for its residents.Key Issue 2 Find an equitable and fiscally sustainable solution for the maintenance of the village roads.Key Issue 3 Expand pedestrian pathways to connect village residents thus creating a greater sense of community.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?The village is positioned to promote and accept a great deal of change with respect to its business, infrastructure and building development. With my 25 plus years of experience in the design, engineering and construction industries I am uniquely poised to lend expertise that will benefit the upcoming change within the community.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.Sales tax in Long Grove is currently between 7.5% and 8.5% depending on the location of the business within the village. I believe it is appropriate as it is commensurate with other surrounding communities.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.There has been much concern and discussion over the maintenance of the village roads. Although there will be more dialogue between the Village Board and the residents, at this time a reasonable solution appears to be a referendum to support road maintenance. The question regarding specific roads and their public or private status could be determined by the success or failure of the referendum.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?Long Grove was founded on the concept of limited government and does not levy a property tax. Given both those criteria and previous economic constraints, the village has been running on a bare minimal budget. Increased revenue prospects for the upcoming year should provide for some necessary infrastructure improvments.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?The village has a short list of important projects that have been identified and given much research and thought. We have a solid administration, experienced Village Board as well as numerous surveys and consultant recommendations. Let's take all this knowledge and investment of time and money, collaborate and bring these projects to fruition.