New Hainesville mayor knows the ropes

If newly elected Hainesville Mayor Linda Soto were to wear a novelty T-shirt, it might read "Been there, done that, doing it again."

Soto has already served a term as the village mayor from 1997 until 2001, and was sworn into the office again on May 12.

We asked her a series of questions concerning her view of the road ahead for the village.

Q: What do you expect will be the biggest difference in the next four years from your first term?

A: I think it is a lot like comparing apples and oranges. In 1997, we were at the start of the population growth and development; just beginning to change from a rural community into a suburban one. Now, the residential growth has leveled off and our focus must be on short- and long-term plans for business growth and providing additional services.

Q: How will you approach the question of the police department's continued existence?

A: I have said all along that having our own department is the ideal, but what we need to answer is how we are going to house the department. It is now in the public works garage and there has been talk of moving it to the old village hall building, but I do not believe we can afford to do that. It is possible we will have to look at expanding the public works garage so that both entities can operate from it.

Q: Do you feel there is support for your plan to bring back committee of the whole meetings for the village board, and if so, how quickly can they begin?

A: I believe the village trustees are receptive to the idea of committee of the whole meetings and the citizens are ecstatic about the prospect. We have discussed having one in order to meet with our consultant on the comprehensive plan in the very near future.

Q: What is the future of the old village hall building?

A: There has been some talk about remodeling it for civic use, but I do not see a way that could be done in a cost-effective way. I believe we are just going to have to tear it down and preserve that land for eventual commercial development.

Q: What can be done to attract more business to the village once the economy recovers?

A: I think some things can be done now. Firstly, I want to get the comprehensive plan posted on our Web site, because that is where developers will look first to see what our plans are. Secondly, I want to develop a package of information about the village that we can send out to selected developers to promote and market the opportunities that are here.