James Francis Sullivan: 2025 candidate for Glendale Heights village president

Bio

Office Sought: Glendale Heights village president

City: Glendale Heights

Age: 61

Occupation: Retired

Previous offices held: Bloomingdale Township Committeeman

Why are you running for this office? Is there a particular issue that motivates you? Also, what makes you the best candidate for the position?

I have followed the politics in this community for a long time and this in my opinion is the worst I've seen it. For the last few election cycles, we have the same people running and taking to the podium in the public meetings that created the environment we are now in. I want to be an integral part of the solution.

The issue that motivates me is the public perception to both resident, businesses, and the employees that this was the best we could do for them for the past few years, far from it! I feel my 30 years of experience working on the inside as a municipal public servant actually doing the work dictated by multiple administrations gives me insight no other candidate has.

I have been a resident of Glendale Heights for over 50 years. My wife and I grew up here at the same time the community did and raised our 4 children in the same schools and programs. We were also volunteers in most every activity they took part in all the way through Glenbard East where I was the boys gymnastics booster Rep. I know the value of services, programs and responsible management of village resources that all members of the community expect.

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

With a community that was established in the late ’50s, the aging infrastructure has to be kept at the top of the list along with the continually changing technology that controls our systems and day to day operations. The implementation of environmental regulations also require extensive and expensive changes like what just took place at the sewage treatment plant. We need to stay informed and evolve as it does not wait for it to be forced on us.

This is not accomplished with vacancies in critical positions in staff or members on the board without the knowledge or experience in making those decisions.

How would you describe the state of your community's finances? What should be the top priorities for spending during the next few years? Are there areas of spending that need to be curtailed?

According to the midyear budget and finance report, the village is in better shape than others. There are more funds in reserve exceeding the worst-case operations scenario recommendation. Top priorities for spending should be for the immediate need of failing or outdated village owned infrastructure and utilities. Accelerate those where maintenance/labor costs have increased and caused inconvenience or loss of service to our taxpayers.

Some of our parks are not taken care of as well as they should, need to revamp how that's done. Continue to look at cost reducing equipment and services to benefit all of us. There is spending that needs to be addressed but it's not one specific area but a method of organization that's not efficient in my opinion. we can do better.

What do you see as the most important infrastructure project you 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?

All infrastructure is important because the health safety and welfare of the community depend on them. Continuing to target the most problematic in conjunction with the road/MFT programs is the most cost effective. For larger replacements grants federal, state and county funded are very beneficial is offsetting the village’s burdens. This is common practice among government entities.

A residential drainage program is also needed affecting private property and easements adjacent to them. Possibly a shared program similar to the Sanitary lateral one adopted with the parkway tree issues of the past.

A project I would consider putting on hold is the renovation of the Armitage drainage ditch from Glen Ellyn Road, east to the forest preserve by Nazos Park. Cleaning of the box culverts routinely continue but we need to coordinate with the county and township to address the connecting part through Glen Ellyn Countryside from Bloomingdale Road to Glen Ellyn to ensure the ensure that the engineering we are using will accommodate the flow characteristics if that is improved. That carries a large amount of stormwater from the west side of Bloomingdale Road.

Describe your leadership style and explain how you think it will be effective in producing effective actions and decisions with your village board.

My years of service dealing with the public, contractors and the makeup of two very different municipalities give me an advantage. I have always considered myself a great mediator along with a problem solver who’s dealt with a wide spectrum of situations over the years. Actions and decisions made at board level have to be done using best information and explanations to the how and why on both sides of the issue.

My experience is with some effort and civility everyone can come to terms for or against the topic at hand. The process that needs to take place prior to the public one at the board meeting is just as important and gets things done respectfully which is what I strive for.

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

I would like to make some changes to how we do Glendale Heights Fest and bring back the parade. Who doesn't love a parade? Great way to showcase the all the different groups and diversity of our community. Maybe we can make it happen.