Cathy Cawiezel: 2023 candidate for Lisle Village Trustee, 4-year term

Bio

Town: Lisle

Age on Election Day: n/a

Occupation: Controller

Employer: Mid-sized nonprofit organization

Previous offices held: Lisle Village Board trustee since 2009

Q&A

Q: What is the most serious issue your community will face in the coming years and how should the village board respond to it?

A: Fostering high quality economic development. Particular focus is on commercial opportunities along Route 53, Ogden Ave., Maple Ave, Warrenville Road, and in the downtown.

Lisle's recent comprehensive revision of the zoning code is of tremendous support to this endeavor. It provides a modern, consistent, and predictable regulatory environment.

Our Economic Incentive Policy gives us tools such as sales tax rebates and property tax abatements to attract development. We rely on talented staff members such as our economic development manager to connect the business community to available opportunities. We also should continue to foster our nascent public/private development partnership. It is a valuable resource to have talented members of our business community offer their knowledge and expertise through this type of organization.

Q: How would you describe the state of your community's finances?

A: Excellent! Sales taxes and income taxes are both increasing due to broad and growing commercial development. We have been able to keep the property tax levy flat since 2017, and recently rebated $250K to our hardworking residents. We have been able to fund our police pension fund in excess of state mandates.

Lisle consistently earns an Aa1 credit rating, has fund balances exceeding minimum reserve policies, and has had no debt in recent history, other than bonds for a sports complex and for a new police station. (The complex is being paid for by hotel/motel taxes, and the police station was paid for by sales taxes.)

Q: What should be the three top priorities for spending in your community during the next four years?

A: Infrastructure that enhances quality of life. Continued progress on implementation of the bicycle/pedestrian plan adopted in 2020 is a key example. Currently we are partnering with DuPage County to add a path under the Warrenville Road bridge.

Public Safety. Lisle has an exemplary police department which earned Tier 1 accreditation from the Illinois Law Enforcement Accreditation Program. We must continue to invest in training, technology, equipment, and competitive compensation, particularly in these times of a troubling national increase in crime.

Flood mitigation. We will always be affected by the East Branch of the DuPage River and significant creeks in our community. We recently added $2 million per year to the budget for floodplain property acquisition and demolition.

Q: Are there areas of spending that need to be curtailed? If so, what are they?

A: I adamantly oppose using public money to incentivize projects that do not contribute public benefit or result in development that is in keeping with thoughtful zoning codes and land use plans. That is why I oppose, for example, the use of $10 million to $12 million TIF (Tax Incremental Financing) for a private apartment building in the commercial area of our downtown.

Q: What do you see as the most important infrastructure project the community must address? Why and how should it be paid for? Conversely, during these uncertain economic times, what project(s) can be put on the back burner?

A: Stormwater management. We recently agreed to be the local partner with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for a multipronged strategy for flood mitigation: repair of the river levy to 1% (100-year) protection, 283 acre ft storage, and the acquisition and flood proofing of structures throughout the floodplain. These measures will provide benefits far beyond Lisle. They will protect a vital state highway and communities downstream. The costs are shared: federal (65%) local partner (35%).

Lisle has been nimble in weathering economic challenges such as the pandemic by strategic budget cuts to projects that can be delayed. An example is extending the time between road resurfacing.

Q: Describe your experience working in a group setting to determine policy. What is your style in such a setting to reach agreement and manage local government? Explain how you think that will be effective in producing effective actions and decisions with your village board.

A: Just like everyone else, my experience working in a group setting is that the level of productivity correlates to the deportment of the participants!

My style is to treat each and every individual in the group with respect and to listen attentively to all of them without interrupting. I make sure all are heard by encouraging input from individuals who are less comfortable speaking up. I encourage data driven rather than emotionally driven policy decisions. I consider it essential that the group carefully consider everyone who will be affected by a policy. Public engagement through tools such as surveys and live or virtual gatherings is critical.

Q: What makes you the best candidate for the job?

A: I have a proven record of responsible and independent votes, level headed decision making, and a collaborative and professional deportment. I am able to draw on my many years of professional experience as an accountant in both the nonprofit sector and in large for-profit corporations. I have a broad understanding of our community gleaned through many years of volunteer work and leadership in such local organizations as the Lisle Heritage Society, the Lisle Woman's Club, and St. Joan of Arc Parish. Lisle is my hometown, and I am passionate about its success.

Q: What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?

A: A comprehensive community calendar. Lisle has many and diverse organizations and activities. A common calendar shared by governmental units and nonprofits would help people be able to partake of as many as possible. Event organizers would be better able to avoid scheduling conflicts with other events. Residents would have one go-to place to find out what is being offered.