Ellen Leahy: Candidate Profile

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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: ItascaWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Itasca Village Board Age: 56Family: I am married for 31 years. My husband and I have 5 children.Occupation: Sales ManagerEducation: Graduated St Peter the Apostle Itasca. Graduated Driscoll High School Addison. Graduated Quincy College: Quincy, IL; BA in Art HistoryCivic involvement: Village Trustee since 1995.Elected offices held: Village TrusteeQuestions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I am the best candidate for this position because I have a great deal of experience with Village issues. Having been on the board for 20 years as well as having extensive experience in the business world makes me an ideal candidate.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.I would like to see property taxes decrease because home values have decreased yet property taxes continue to rise. I believe the sales tax is where it should be because Itasca's sales tax is lower than communities around us giving Itasca a competitive edge.Rate the efficiency of your town's police and fire coverage. Are the departments well prepared for the next decade? What, if anything, should be changed? Do you have specific public safety concerns?Itasca's Fire District is a separate taxing body therefore, I cannot comment on their coverage. Itasca has an outstanding police department with very quick response times. The department is well trained and staffed making coverage extensive as well as efficient. I have a great deal of confidence in the Itasca Police Chief and his department. As a mother, I am very aware of the violence that takes place in communities all around us therefore, I am a proponent of continuing to train our police men and women in the latest police techniques and staying current with the latest technology available.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?At this time I do not see areas of the budget that could be trimmed. Itasca has always spent money wisely and with great fiscal responsibility. I would like to see money put into beautification in the downtown area. One example would be to bury the power lines on Irving Park Rd. Irving Park Road at both the East and West ends is the gateway into Itasca. I would like our residents to be proud of this great town and be proud to show it off. First impressions are important.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?I would like to see Itasca's downtown grow. We are a very small town with approximately 8700 residents which makes it difficult for retailers to survive. Itasca could use some "destination" businesses which would bring people to our downtown. The retailers then would not be solely reliant on a small resident population to thrive.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?An issue of high importance is continuing to have a seat at the table with the Illinois Tollway regarding the 390 project. We have a very strong involvement with this project and because of that we have been the recipient of many favorable amenities that we would not otherwise have had.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Although she died a few years ago, not one person has impressed me more than Mother Teresa of Calcutta because of her selfless service.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Treat others the way you want to be treated.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would spend my do-over on creating World Peace in every country, city, state and neighborhood.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?My favorite subject in school was art history which has made me cognizant of preserving the past as well as beautifying the present.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Make a difference in the world.