Becky Anderson: Candidate Profile

Back to Naperville City Council

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:BioQA Bio City: NapervilleWebsite: www.votebeckyanderson.comOffice sought: Naperville City Council Age: 56Family: Married 32 years-Husband Chuck Wilkins-Commerical Consruction Company V.P. also a lifetime Naperville resident Mother of 3 grown children-Charlie Wilkins-Historic Preservation Director, Sarah Wilkins-Environmentalist-National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, and Hallie Wilkins-sophomore-- St. Andrews University-Scotland. We are 6th generation Napervillians We have been small independent business owners in Naperville for 140 years. My family has a long history of community involvement and volunteerism.Occupation: Business owner Anderson's Bookshops: BooksellerEducation: BA North Central College 1982 majors in History, German Music. Richter Fellowship Grant Award Winner 1981 for Study research in Germany. Graduated with honors.Civic involvement: Chairman SECA Commission/Commissioner 6 yr. KidsMatter Board/ Asset Trustee Founder IndieBound Naperville: A grassroots Local Independent Business Alliance-150+ business group Founder Andrea's Angels: New and Used Book collection-over 900,000 books redistributed to children and schools in need of books. DuPage Symphony Board of Directors North Central College Presidential Search Committee Member Downtown Naperville Alliance -past board member and marketing co-chair Host of Authors Revealed-on NCTV 17-an author interview program Member Sunrise RotaryElected offices held: Candidate did not respond.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?Home is the word that has always meant Naperville to me. Family, friends, family business are what hold me here. But it is the heart of this place that makes me want to work to ensure that the Naperville I love will continue to be a city where everyone can find a home no matter your age, income and background. I started working in our family business when at 11 years old. As a 6th generation independent business owner in Naperville I have traveled all over the US and other Countries as the President of the American Booksellers Association. What I have seen at home but in so many other places is that communities that are home to numerous locally owned businesses are and can be more prosperous, sustainable and resilient than those in which much of the economy is controlled by a few big corporations. Putting your money where your heart is #8212; supporting local make this a community that thrives, survives, and builds home. The attributes that have made me a successful business leader along with my steadfast belief in fairness, transparency, inclusion and responsibility are the core of what will make me a voice on the council for all Naperville citizens. I have always believed in service; in my community and in my industry. Collaboration, communication, and community in all things is front and foremost in my mind. Governance should be guided by 3 principals,: For whom, at what cost and at what benefit.What is your opinion of your community's present level of local sales and property taxes? Is the tax just right, too low or too high? Explain.Sales tax equity on internet sales needs to happen on a national level. All internet sales need to be taxed to make it a clear and level playing field for all internet sellers. This will protect all brick and mortar stores in our community and prevent any more business closures and blight due to empty store fronts. I have lobbied many times in Washington and locally on behalf of sales tax fairness--passing this nationally will raise many more dollars for Naperville, our county and state. I worry that property taxes and the fewer lower cost homes available on the market are forcing those just entering the housing market and retirees from not making Naperville their home. Property taxes are huge for any new home buyer, especially those who buy large new homes. When we loose younger and older residents we loose the diversity that makes Naperville a rich community. The City's portion of each property tax bill has to remain in check with due diligence. Our schools which remain some of the best in nation should be maintained; and as a result still remain the largest portion of our property tax bills.Early projections for the fiscal year 2016 budget showed a $12 million deficit. What can the city do to avoid future budget deficits? Where can the city save money or make cuts?I know city staff is looking at ways to cut certain costs. But we really need to look long and hard at where different departments can make some needed cuts. Not only solving the deficit but we need to be saving for the next economic hard time. We need to make sure we are prepared for the future and spend more responsibly and transparently. This especially can be applied to the pension problem. Naperville does not need everything that much larger cities have in certain amenities. We should look long and hard at the benefits of some expenditures.What additional regulations, if any, should the city council impose on bars and liquor license holders to help keep the downtown night life safe? What do you think of the restrictions recently created, such as relating to late-night entry, shot sales, beer sizes, drink specials and security training?I do not believe that some of the new regulations that the current city council has imposed on bars will make any or little effect on the downtown night safety. There are too many bars in a very small geographic area. I think better training by bar personnel to recognize bad behavior and black balling certain individuals from entry. Security is essential for the safety of all. Naperville has the reputation among many 20 and 30 year olds to be the best party town outside of Chicago. This situation can be controlled but let's look at it realistically.What should the city council's role be in bringing businesses to town? Should businesses be allowed to bring in proposals under code names, such as "Project Panda"? What do you think of the decision to approve the SKF development at Warrenville and Freedom roads before informing the public of what the development would be?Making Naperville a better environment for independent entrepreneurial businesses. Locally owned businesses contribute more to our local economy, create more jobs and build a better community. Giving huge corporations large sales tax cuts and other incentives does nothing to keep more dollars generated by locally owned business recirculating in our city. Transparency is out the window when businesses use code names-it gives the public the impression that there is something to hide-an under the table kind of feeling. Napervillians are due total truth in all development approval before it is given a green light by the City Council.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Downtown Naperville future development, parking shortages and alcohol consumption and permits. The downtown continues to draw people to Naperville to shop, dine, and be entertained. Traffic and parking are paramount. We need to make it more amenable and convenient for all. Create more vibrant shopping districts in south Naperville. Work with the Naperville Development Partnership to recognize those areas/sectors and work to fill the many vacant retail/office spaces around the city. Retail/office blight is a big problem. Insuring that the educational environment and the relationship to School districts 203 and 204 is fostered to build a community of learners. Our city can contribute to the environment that helps educators, parents, community and business members build a passion for learning that ensures our children are prepared for career and college. Continuing to make this city a safe and healthy place for all citizens. Our Police and Fire Department are a huge reason this is so. Making Naperville a connected city that engages everyone; all not-for-profits, schools, city government, parents, and kids in the fight and awareness of heroin and other drug related issues.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Elizabeth Warren: She truly stands up for those in need-the middle class, the poor, students with huge school loans, for women, taxpayers and consumers.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Loyalty, kindness, honesty. But also as a family business we supported our town and other local merchants. Putting your $ where your heart is.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Not to be so shy when I was younger. It was our family business that got me out of my shell and into the world.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?History was one of my favorites as well as music. Both have enriched my life immeasurably. History so informs our future. Music feeds our souls!If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Love and be loved; the world and all of its people.