Georgeann Duberstein: 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: HainesvilleWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Twitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Hainesville Village Board Age: 77Family: Married with 5 children and 7 grandchildrenOccupation: Retired Physician AssistantEducation: University of Illinois - BS EducationEmory University School of Medicine - Masters of Medical ScienceCivic involvement: Serving as current village trustee for 8 years.B.E.S.T. (Bringing Everyone's Strengths Together) Executive Board representing Hainesville for 8 years.LCCTSC (Lake County Consolidated Transportation Service Committee) Executive Board representing Hainesville and B.E.S.T. for 6 years.Chair village Wetlands, Open Space and Woodlands committee for restoration for village land and ponds.Organized and chair Hainesville's Great Age Club for our seniors.Organized and supervise annual village-wide garage sale for 12 years.Created tutoring program for students reading below grade level in Round Lake Area School District 116.Lake County Election Judge for 14 years.Elected offices held: Village Trustee for 8 yearsPublic Awareness chairman for B.E.S.T. 6 yearsExecutive Board LCCTSC for 5 yearsQuestions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?Even before I began serving as village trustee eight years ago, I was working for the betterment of Hainesville as a volunteer.I researched and shepherded the bidding process to establish a five-year plan for eliminating the invasive plant species and restoring the woodlands surrounding Cranberry Lake and enhancing the mile-long wood chip walking path surrounding the lake saving the village thousands of dollars. As a trustee, I work with the contractor to insure the continued stewardship of the Cranberry Lake environment as well as restoring and beautifying the vegetation surrounding the ponds and open spaces throughout the village.For 12 years, I have organized and still chair Hainesville's Great Age Club for our seniors, our annual village-wide garage sale, and the annual village-wide cleanup. Since being elected, I represent the village on the Executive Board for B.E.S.T. (Bringing Everyone's Strengths Together) as Public Awareness chairman. I am also on the Executive Board for LCCTSC (Lake County Consolidated Transportation Services Committee) and represent both Hainesville and B.E.S.T.I researched and recommended the new LED streetlights throughout the village to have lighting that is more economical and better for the environment. I have also coordinated the plans to get over $17,000 in rebates for this change as well as the reduction of our monthly village utility bills.I hope I am able to continue working to make Hainesville not only "the oldest village in Lake County, but the "best little village in Lake County."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.Our property taxes are too high. Lake County property taxes are near the highest in the State of Illinois and one of the highest in the U.S. Our village portion of residents' tax bill is only about 8% of the total property tax bill, and therefore, we have little impact on the taxes people pay. Nevertheless, we are prudent in our requests for tax money. A majority of property tax is for school funding over which the village has no control.The State of Illinois has more than twice as many governmental taxing bodies than any other state. By consolidating services and eliminating some taxing agencies, property taxes could be reduced. For example, part of Hainesville is in Grayslake's school districts. If Grayslake had just one school district encompassing both the elementary and high schools, as exists in the Round Lake Area School District 116, they would be able to reduce the administrative staff, operating costs and therefore reduce our property taxes.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?The village is served by two different fire districts; however, they work cooperatively when needed. Recently referenda have passed to allow our fire districts to make updates to their equipment to be prepared for the future.Consolidating the two fire departments would positively impact our property taxes.We share the police department with Grayslake to avoid duplication, save money and take advantage of services and capabilties we would be unable to provide for ourselves. The department has recently updated their computer equipment. I am confident our police protection will be more than adequate into the future. We enjoy the confidence in our police department and know that we are well protected.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?Since 2009, when the present mayor and the three trustees elected with her, the village has operated on the zero-based budget system. That requires each department to start each new budget at zero and justify any budget requests.We continued to have balanced budgets with money in a reserve account for capital improvements. Things have been tight for municipalities and other agencies since the State of Illinois has been incapable of approving a state budget, but we have learned to live within our means and still provide the necessary services to the residents while adding to our reserve account.What is one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?I am investigating various conservation agencies to find ways Hainesville can get recognition for their extensive environmental restoration efforts. The restoration has contributed to the quality of life for the residents, added to improved property values, as well as protecting and enhancing the environment. This accreditation will help to bring awareness of Hainesville and to attract new residents and businesses.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?I would like the efforts and improvements the board has made be sustained. Four years ago, the incumbents were returned to office in an uncontested election. To me, that indicates the residents were satisfied with the job we were doing. This year, more candidates are running as there is an open seat.Having a positive, constructive atmosphere on the board has enabled us to achieve more positive accomplishments than we would have had we had an atmosphere of acrimony. The members of the board have worked well together and respected each other's opinion.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Mayor Linda SotoWhat is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?The value of volunteeringIf life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Be more physically fit and nutritionally soundWhat was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?English and Social Studies helped me become a critical thinker.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Find a career you would really like.