Susan Triphahn: 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.electcitizensfirst.comOffice sought: Round Lake Village Board (4-year Terms)Age: 57Family: Married, two adult children and two grandchildrenOccupation: Public ServiceEducation: High School Graduate Some College Trade SchoolCivic involvement: Lakewood Grove HOA Round Lake Area Chamber of Commerce SWALCO HOA Summit (Round Lake)Elected offices held: Trustee, Village of Round Lake President LWG HOA President Chamber of CommerceHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NOCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 TaxesKey Issue 2 Honest and open governmentKey Issue 3 TransportationQuestions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?Nearly 4 years as a Trustee serving various committees as Police, Building and Zoning, HR Finance, Community Development and SWALCO. I've worked in the corporate sector within management reviving failing services departments and making them profitable again. I also serve my community via my HOA Board and the Round Lake Area Chamber of Commerce by growing business members and benefits for our members as well as creating a stable and affordable community for residents. I founded the HOA Summit in Round Lake to bring HOA's together to communicate, problem solve and share with our Village and amongst ourselves to better serve our communities and partner with our Village.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.Our local sales tax is just right. We want to encourage shoppers into our retail stores, not send them outside our Village.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.Our record numbers of foreclosures is most alarming. Vacant properties fall into disrepair and become prime for vandals while the property values fall further. We need to keep banks and lenders responsible for maintenance so that these homes are appealing to buyers and not a further burden on surrounding homeowners with negative impact. We also need to keep a control on our taxes - already some of the highest in our county. Property tax education for homeowners would also be of benefit.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 priority is keeping a view on our capital projects and infrastructure needs and upkeep. We must continue to be ever so mindful of our spending and operating costs to work within our revenue.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?We need to reestablish our working relationships with our surrounding governmental partners, working to share resources and solving our Round Lake Area problems together while maximizing services to citizens more beneficially.