Deniz Namik: 2023 candidate for Algonquin Village Board

Bio

Town:Algonquin

Age on Election Day: 25

Occupation: Graduate Student

Employer: N/A

Previous offices held: None

Q&A

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

A: I believe the village is in serious need of new development for the youth in order to meet the needs of a growing family population as well as the growing threats of inflation and climate change. Even at the local level, there is much we can do to secure the village's future financially while seeking new ways for the village to adapt to a more sustainable and environmentally conscious way of life. This starts with supporting existing small businesses in Algonquin as well as attracting new ones. The Village should be outwardly supporting and looking for ways to provide direct aid to residents that provide a breadth of diversity and opportunities to the community. If the Village makes a greater effort to sustain and attract small businesses, we can bolster new activities and experiences beyond what we have previously for the community and show that we care.

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

A: The current board has done an excellent job shepherding us through the COVID-19 pandemic while simultaneously keeping our expenses in check. Given the strong financial state of the village, I would look into both investing in a rainy day fund for the village given the future threat of inflation while also looking to increase investment in the community in order to bolster our local economy and lower the tax burden for residents.

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

A: Our top spending priorities should be on economic development, infrastructure, and services. An effective local government is one that meets the needs of its residents while providing for the best possible quality of life. As such, I would first ensure that services offered by the village are adequately funded. Additionally, I would like to not only continue existing road work improvements, but also look into improvements for pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure as a means for increased recreation and accessibility. To that end, I would also like to see more of the Village's funds go towards economic development and outreach in order to bring new businesses to the area that all can enjoy.

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

A: Current spending levels have adequately met the needs of village residents as indicated by previous community surveys indicating an over 90% satisfaction rate with village services. With the exception of some year-to-year line items, I see no need to curtail any large spending items in the village's current budget. In fact, I see some opportunities for new revenue potential that would allow for future economic development opportunities.

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: I believe the Longmeadow Parkway Bridge Corridor project should continue to be addressed in coordination with the Kane County Division of Transportation until its estimated completion this year. A significant number of Algonquin residents have voiced their concerns about traffic flow on major streets, and completing development projects in Algonquin like the Longmeadow Parkway Bridge Corridor project will go a long way in alleviating congestion throughout the rest of the village. Collaboration is key here, and we must continue to coordinate with the Kane County Government and surrounding townships to meet the demands of this project while also seeking aid from the state and federal government. Given the strong fiscal position of the village, I do not see a need to curtail any existing projects.

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 or city council.

A: I intend to work collaboratively with other members of the board in order to address the needs and challenges of the village. During my time at the University of Illinois, I served as an undergraduate representative to the Faculty Senate Executive Committee which involved collaboration on a number of issues that members often did not see eye-to-eye on. Similar to the Village's procedure, issues and legislation were seen and discussed in the committee before being sent to vote on by the Senate (which I was also a member of). The key to reaching agreement and productivity is listening to one another and being empathetic. If there is a disagreement, my style is to actively listen, understand, and have dialogue. My participation in the Committee furthered the effectiveness of policy making, especially at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. I believe by building a consensus on issues, we can maximize our effectiveness for village residents.

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

A: For the past 6 years, I have gained a breadth of experience in policy change, overseeing development projects, and addressing citizen concerns on various levels. These have been met through my involvement in the Senate of the University of Illinois - Urbana Champaign campus, which serves a population of more than 40,000. I have been a member of various committees and have held leadership roles such as being Student Senator and a Committee Chair. As a lifelong resident in Algonquin, my community involvement began when I was in middle school and did not end after graduating high school. I continue to serve my community and work towards creating an environment of equity and inclusion by volunteering at local events and institutions as well as mentoring students in their coursework and career planning.

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

A: Rather than a good idea, I have a main focus to better the community that no one is talking about yet: addressing the needs of younger residents in Algonquin. The number of young adults living in Algonquin is significantly low. We need more recreational facilities and services targeted towards young adults, teenagers, and children of families. This goes hand-in-hand with putting more effort into economic development and infrastructure efforts that explicitly improve the quality of life for Algonquin residents. If elected, I would focus on making Algonquin an inclusive and vibrant community for everyone.