Georgeann Duberstein: 2025 candidate for Hainesville village board

Bio

Office Sought: Hainesville village board

City: Hainesville

Age: 85

Occupation: Retired physician assistant

Previous offices held: Hainesville village trustee since 2009

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

Our excellent village water is obtained by wells into aquifers. At present, we have two active wells. It is important that we have a third well as a backup. We are already preparing for another well. Water cost to our residents and businesses are lower than villages relying on Lake Michigan water.

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?

Our finances are in excellent shape. We have no outstanding debt. We operate on “zero-based budgeting.” That means every department starts at zero every new budget year and must justify all budget requests.

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?

Our most important infrastructure project is building a new well. It should be paid for partially from our water reserve account and from a bank loan.

We recently updated our comprehensive plan. We should hold off on implementing the projects in there until the well in completed.

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

I have served on the village board for several years. In most cases, the board has been relatively cohesive since we all are only interested in doing the best for the village. Should challenges arise, we have open discussions and listen to each other before reaching a consensus.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

I have had the opportunity to create many activities and projects for the village. I established and chair the Great Age Club for our seniors; organize our annual village-wide garage sale; organized the Family Fun Fest; obtained a grant and planned a park with a walking path, native gardens, picnic benches and a gazebo; researched and recommended LED streetlights throughout the village saving thousands of dollars; initiated the restoration of the Cranberry Lake wetlands and woodlands; planned native flower landscapes for the village hall and medians to conserve the need for watering.

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

I would like to have the surrounding Round Lake communities share services i.e. garbage collection. There could be considerable savings when negotiating.