Paulette Greenberg: 2025 candidate for Buffalo Grove village board

Bio

Office sought: Buffalo Grove village board (Vote for 3)

City: Buffalo Grove

Age: 73

Occupation: Retired insurance adjuster/part-time driver ed instructor

Previous offices held: None. I have volunteered in Buffalo Grove for over 30 years

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

Buffalo Grove has a positive reputation in Illinois. Good schools, active libraries, and park programs influence decisions for people to choose to make their home in this community.

Courting new businesses to the current eyesore properties is a top priority. We have several high volume traffic intersections that are ripe to be developed and bring in sales tax and property tax dollars.

Nearby communities of Palatine and Vernon Hills have been successful in attracting new businesses to repurpose empty buildings. Neighboring Wheeling has secured new restaurants.

I will support policies to increase economic development as a strong business community is beneficial to the financial health of the village.

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?

The village has been fiscally culpable of our tax dollars. Infrastructure upgrades have been identified and planning is in progress for the rebuild of a fire station, future police station, and village hall. Securing grants and advanced budgeting are in place to pay for these expenses. Timely payments have been made to the police and fire pension funds which shows responsibility to those accounts.

I am pleased the village was able to repurpose an existing building for the expansion of the public works department. The fire department will reuse the former public works building during the rebuild of the fire station.

Having the village investigate in-house costs versus outsourcing to a private company, such as tree trimming, has been one way to curtail spending. Perhaps the village can outsource other expenses when further audits are completed on the yearly expenses.

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?

Currently in the Cook County portion of Buffalo Grove sewer, waterlines plus road upgrades/replacement are being addressed as part of a multiyear project. The original lines are over 60 years old and have reached their life span of service. It is important to be pro active and invested in upgrading the lines before a major collapse happens. This was budgeted by securing grants and wise investments.

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.

My leadership style is rooted in open-minded team work communication, strong listening skills, collaboration and relationship building. I am adept at time management, delegating tasks and utilizing resources without resorting to micromanagement.

I have successfully proven these capabilities through my current leadership of the Buffalo Grove Farmers Market and co-chair of the Buffalo Grove Days Committee. I also served on the Buffalo Grove 50th Anniversary Committee. Each of these roles required a keen understanding of the “big picture” as well as attention to detail and coordination among the village, park district, police, fire and various vendors, suppliers and promoters.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

I have lived in Buffalo Grove since 1984. I have demonstrated my commitment to the village through my volunteer work and service on various committees and commissions. In 2009, I was named Rotary Person of the Year.

I wish to share my knowledge and experiences to ensure our diverse community continues to thrive. I am looking forward to serving the community in a more official and impactful role.

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

I would like to see affordable housing for seniors. I am aware of people wishing to downsize from their current home and move to a maintenance-free apartment. However, with the two new apartment developments, the rents are not affordable. Many seniors receive Social Security checks for less than $2,000 a month. They are unable to stay in this area. I am not aware of any provision for lower rental to seniors in the current developments.