Patty Gustin: Candidate Profile

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Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioQA Bio City: NapervilleWebsite: www.electgustin.comOffice sought: Naperville City Council Age: 55Family: Married 25 years to my biggest supporter. Proud mother of 3 successful children (engineer, Augustana College senior, and 2nd year John Marshall Law School student). Excited grandmother of 1 amazing little boy and 1 beautiful little girl due any moment! Parishioners of St. Peter Paul Church, St. Thomas Church and Grace United Methodist Church.Occupation: Broker - Berkshire Hathaway Stark NapervilleEducation: DePaul University (BA - Business); Roosevelt University (Paralegal Certification)Civic involvement: Includes: Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce; Naperville Responds to Our Veterans; Operation Support Our Troops-Healing Field of Honor; Naperville Exchange Club Member-Ribfest; Naperville Jaycees-Last Fling; Loaves Fishes Community Food Bank; Naperville 175th Anniversary Parade; League of Women Voters; Veterans Day Celebrations; Naperville Women's Club; Cress Creek Garden Club.Elected offices held: Currently Chairwoman, Naperville Planning Zoning Commission. Multiple other government, civic, and business positions. Please see website: electgustin.comQuestions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?More than any prior election, this election is hugely important for all of us. The voters can trust my experience and ability when they elect the NEW MAJORITY THAT WILL RUN NAPERVILLE. Mayor Pradel is not running, and 4 Council seats are vacant. The voters will elect all 8 Councilmen and a new Mayor. I am currently Chairwoman for the City's Planning and Zoning Commission. You can see my decade-long record on the City's net site. You will see that I have a can-do record of respect, balance, and reaching consensus. We just can't afford hobby candidates with learning curves or self-interest motives, that want taxpayer-paid health insurance, or that give the same old worn lecture. I love this City, never cost you a dime, and earned your trust. I am the best candidate because my sole reason to be a Councilman is to keep this City growing, solvent, and the envy of all other communities.What is your opinion of your community's present level of local sales and property taxes? Is the tax just right, too low or too high? Explain.While important to every family and business, the City controls a rather small portion of our real estate and sales tax bills. The fractional add-on-amount of sales and SECA taxes are in-line with other communities that provide far lesser services. Over the past years the City's tax was held low, even reduced, by using reserves that risk loss of our exceptional bond rating, and by losing City services and staff that keep Naperville a safe, attractive home and business destination. These are not good answers going forward. Even though the economy is improving, once again we have a yawing budget gap ($12MM), we are out of bookkeeping ways to fill it, and, for now, the can was kicked down the road. For the level of services that we citizens expect, that keep our property values (and as a serendipity our real estate taxes) high, our current taxes are fairly reasonable. But, the City has a budget hole and it made some bad investments (electric supply contracts, as an example) and it is not reasonable to think our taxes will soon drop. The immediate goal is to hold our taxes where they are, be smarter when investing in our future, and grow out of our financial pickle. This is achievable and will, at the end of the day, result in lower taxes.Early projections for the fiscal year 2016 budget showed a $12 million deficit. What can the city do to avoid future budget deficits? Where can the city save money or make cuts?See prior discussion. Further, as the City's residential boom has matured, and we are built to our borders, we must look to businesses to grow our revenues. Business is Naperville's next-gen target market, and we need to work with all business organizations, the Chamber of Commerce, the State, and the County to promote Naperville business. Further, we must match the City's budget and goals and preserve its strong bond rating. Naperville is a top-City nationwide, but we are already in debt. The answer is not tax increases, and its not slashing the City's exemplary workforce, it's what and why we spend. Immediate savings can be obtained by getting rid of Councilmen healthcare insurance, and fixing the City's ethics guidelines about gifts stipends. The City (its taxpayers) is on the hook to pay about $15,000 for healthcare for each Councilman, each year, for what the City identifies as a part-time position; plus benefits of up to $150,000 each since the City is self-insured. Stop the Insanity. And there are "feel-good" expenses that we really must ask if they are properly paid by the City. For example, should the taxpayers pay for electric car owners to charge their vehicles while shopping?What additional regulations, if any, should the city council impose on bars and liquor license holders to help keep the downtown night life safe? What do you think of the restrictions recently created, such as relating to late-night entry, shot sales, beer sizes, drink specials and security training?Thus far, it appears the new regulations have had some positive effect. More likely, though, is that the attention placed on business-owners has increased their own efforts to self-police. We should doubt that City-imposed regulations for such things as beer size limits and 30-minute earlier closures are the answer. And we should not agree that liquor is only a problem of the downtown area. If next steps are needed, it is likely by the Liquor Commission, imposing fines, and ordering license suspensions and forfeitures. The business of serving liquor safely is the business of the owner, and a privilege granted by the City. Instead of debating whether a downtown drug store should sell a beer can to a 21 year old adult, let's pivot to the growing heroine culture that afflicts our very young.What should the city council's role be in bringing businesses to town? Should businesses be allowed to bring in proposals under code names, such as "Project Panda"? What do you think of the decision to approve the SKF development at Warrenville and Freedom roads before informing the public of what the development would be?Naperville Development Partnership and Convention Visitor Bureau provides an excellent conduit of bringing businesses to Naperville. The NDPCVB at times may be required to sign a non-disclosure agreement, while works closely with City staff, often the Council, bringing business to Naperville. We must continue to grow Naperville business through NDPCVB, in lock-step with other business and civic organizations (i.e. Chamber of Commerce), and State, and County initiatives. "Project Panda" type proposals, there are two concerns: 1) drawing new business to Naperville, and 2) doing so within the bounds of the law, such as the Open Meetings Act. It is sometimes financially advantageous for a potential business to not publish its identity to keep moving to Naperville affordable. Disclosure of names can sometimes cause the price of a building to rise if a deep pocket is known, complicate State grant awards (such was the case for Project Panda), complicate labor relations, hurt relationships where the business is currently located, etc. There are good and proper reasons for anonymous submissions that provide enough information for the City to makes its decisions (annexation etc.), and to abandon them runs business prospects off to a more business-favorable community. So yes, it is in Naperville's business and financial interests to allow this. For the legalities, City counsel concluded there were no violations of law or improper receipt or withholding of information from the public. Indeed, the public was aware of the identity of Project Panda over a week before the City's final action.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?First, the cost to live in Naperville is onerous for our senior citizens(50+ yrs according to AARP), and the services they are provided pale in comparison to some of our suburban neighbors. We must do better to keep our senior citizens a part of Naperville's bedrock. Next, we need to focus on how important this election really is. Our quality of life in Naperville is set by the tone of the City Council, the Mayor, and City staff. They are all demanding positions, and these are demanding times. Some 20 candidates aspire to be on the Council; some with old baggage to re-address, some with little more than a hope and a wish to help. Since the majority control of the City changes with this election, and therefore its goals, budgets, and relationships with its staff, including its first responders, we need experience and balance. We need respectful leadership. See how I represent you on the City Planning Zoning Commission website (www.naperville.il.us). I'm a consensus-builder, fair, respectful, honest, open to new ideas. I know it's not about me. We are the residents and businesses, and we are Naperville.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Mayor Pradel. 10 years ago he appointed me Commissioner. He had an open door and led by passion and compassion for all Naperville's residents.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?No one is better than anyone else, and anyone can have a great idea, so listen and learn.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Finish my education first, then have a family... On second thought, I'd change nothing! Second grand baby due in days.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Law and Psychology of Business. One defines legal bounds, the other how/why things really work. Getting to "yes" requires both, in government and profession.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Be true to yourself, firm in your convictions, respect others, and help those that need help (it will be you that needs help some day).