Glenn McCollum: 2023 candidate for Lake Villa Village Board
Bio
Town: Lake Villa
Age on Election Day: 61
Occupation: Director of Public Works, retired
Employer: Retired from Village of Lake Villa
Previous offices held: Lake Villa Township Trustee, 20+ years; Planning & Zoning Commission, 20 years; Lake Villa Township Baseball Board of Directors, 20+ years.
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: Maintaining the aging water main and road infrastructure is a serious issue. Updating, replacing and extending water mains will save the Village money by reducing undetected water loss through leaks. As Director of Public Works, my priority was to rebuild and replace aging water mains. This practice needs to be continued. Road resurfacing will need to be aggressively addressed in the coming years as many of our Village roads are nearing 30 years old. Researching additional funding through grants for these projects should be the Boards' priority.
Q: How would you describe the state of your community's finances?
A: The Village finances are strong. In my 38 years with the Village, spending has always been conservative and responsible. I applaud the current and past boards for these strict measures. I will continue these efforts as a Trustee.
Q: What should be the three top priorities for spending in your community during the next four years?
A: Extending sewer and water connections to Lake Villa's northernmost border to allow for future development is my top priority. This will create shovel-ready parcels of land that will bring added business, revenue and tax dollars to Lake Villa. I would also direct spending toward water main and road replacement. Supporting and expanding services provided by our Police Department, particularly in the area of property maintenance enforcement, is critical and a top priority for spending.
Q: Are there areas of spending that need to be curtailed? If so, what are they?
A: No. Village spending practices are disciplined and sound. I will continue these measures and always look for ways to reduce expenses.
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: Ramping up efforts to detect underground water leakage from water mains is the most important infrastructure project to be addressed at this time. Unmetered water costs the Village thousands of dollars each year. Also, extending services north along the Rt. 83 corridor is vital for future commercial and industrial growth.
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 have served as a Lake Villa Township Trustee for 20 years. I've served on the Lake Villa Planning & Zoning Commission for 22 years, and on the Township Youth Baseball League Board of Directors for 18 years. I served on the Villages' Technical Committee with CLCJAWA bringing Lake Michigan water to Lake Villa. I served 22 years as a Lake Villa volunteer firefighter, attaining the rank of Lieutenant. I am well-versed with policy and decision making in group settings. My management style is best described as servant leadership. I believe effective leaders should first serve others. I believe in leading by example, saying yes to every reasonable request, and always giving back more than you take.
Q: What makes you the best candidate for the job?
A: My dedication, commitment to, and love for Lake Villa make me the best candidate for this job. I've spent my entire life living, working and volunteering in Lake Villa. I have been involved in every Village project, large and small, for the past 38 years; as Construction Manager for the historic Lehmann Mansion renovation, the Metra train station building, as well as the Lake Villa Township Baseball Complex and Loffredo Park. I have a thorough understanding of municipal government, policy and funding. I believe in service, and I believe in Lake Villa.
Q: What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?
A: I hope to expand services, recreation opportunities, and volunteerism among the residents of Lake Villa, for example, bringing back village collection of leaves and branches. I'd like to see village-sponsored recurring events, such as a Farmer's Market, Winter Carnival, or a community garden. I'd like to continue the revitalization of our downtown district with increased outreach to potential businesses. I'd like to continue and expand on pedestrian/bicycle path systems villagewide. Above all, I'd like to increase opportunities for our residents to engage and connect with each other.