Robin LaBedz: 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: Arlington HeightsWebsite: www.robinsfriends.comOffice sought: Arlington Heights Village Board Age: 58Family: Husband-Gary Adult children-Laura and StevenOccupation: Human Resources ManagementEducation: Northwestern University, J.L. Kellogg School of Business, MBA Rockford College, B.A., Political ScienceCivic involvement: Current civic involvement: Arlington Heights Board of Trustees League of Women Voters Friends of the Arlington Heights Memorial Library Historic Arlington Neighborhood Association (HANA) Previous involvement: Plan Commission Downtown Master Plan Task Force, which was established when the first TIF district was ending Arlington Heights Memorial Library Board of Trustees Housing CommissionElected offices held: Trustee, Arlington Heights Village Board Trustee and Past President, Arlington Heights Memorial Library Board of TrusteesQuestions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?As a 37-year resident of Arlington Heights, I have had the opportunity to serve the community in a wide variety of ways. I have been involved in organizations such as the PTA, the Girl Scouts, my homeowners' association, CEDA/NW, Friends of the Library, and the League of Women Voters. I have also served the community through appointed and elected positions on the Housing Commission, Library Board, Downtown Master Plan Task Force, Plan Commission, and now the Village Board of Trustees. I have held significant leadership roles, including serving as president of my homeowner's association, the local League of Women Voters, and the Library Board. In everything I undertake, I take the time and effort to learn as much as possible about the particular organization and its responsibilities so that I can serve to the best of my ability. I believe that the knowledge and experience gained through this breadth of service are, and will continue to be, assets to the Board and to the Village.Tell us your vision for Metropolis. Specifically, touch on your vision for programming, how it should be financed, and what role the village should play in supporting and/or running it. Or conversely, if your vision calls for it to be eliminated, explain why and what the village should do with the property.I believe that the Metropolis Performing Arts Center is an asset to the Village, and helps to set us apart from our neighboring communities. Yes, it provides us with live cultural and performing arts programs, but it does more than that. Its School of Performing Arts is the largest such school outside of Chicago, and its outreach programs provide arts experiences to seniors, school districts, and special needs populations. Theater programming and operations must be left to the Executive Director and professional staff, and not directed by the Village Board. That being said, the programming should reflect the community it serves, which can be determined through surveys and other appropriate mechanisms. Theater revenue comes from a variety of sources, including grants, ticket sales, and fundraisers, all of which combined should provide the bulk of revenue received. However, theaters in other suburbs require municipal financial support, and the Metropolis is no exception. Village support helps to keep Metropolis viable, and the arts and entertainment tax is the appropriate vehicle to provide this additional support given the value that the theater adds to the community. Along with financial support must come Village oversight, whether in the form of the current Metropolis Oversight Committee or some other avenue. I would not recommend that the Executive Director or other Metropolis staff members become Village employees.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?Much has been done over the last several years to reduce Village expenditures. Although I was not on the Board at the time, I know that difficult decisions were made, and I commend the Board and staff for doing so. For example,the number of staff was reduced by 10%, which had a significant impact because as a service provider, personal services costs, including benefits, represent close to 80% of general fund expenditures. The Village Board strives to keep the budget under control by examining all requests for funding, and department heads are continually challenged to look for ways of cutting costs. Due to these conservative budgeting practices, the Village has been able to maintain a strong financial position and excellent bond rating. At the same time, our residents expect and deserve a high level of service from Village government, whether it be police and fire protection, water and sewer services, public infrastructure maintenance, snow removal, and a variety of other municipal services. Any significant budget reductions would have a negative impact on municipal services. My concern going forward is our ability to fund future infrastructure and capital improvement needs. Our streets, water mains and sewers are aging, storm water control must be addressed, vehicles and other operating equipment must be replaced over time, and future funding for these as well as other needs will have to be addressed.Is the village's present level of local sales tax just right, too low or too high? Are there untapped sources of more municipal revenue?Our local sales tax rates are competitive with surrounding communities, and fortunately sales tax revenue is increasing as we recover from the recession. I would not support raising the sales tax unless there is a compelling need which cannot otherwise be met. At the present time I do not see that need. A bigger issue is that shopping behavior is changing, with more and more of it being done via the Internet. I do make it a practice to shop in the Village as much as possible, and I would encourage all residents to do the same. This is good for our local businesses and good for the Village by driving more sales tax revenue back into our community. The Village should always continue to explore additional non-tax revenue sources, which may include Federal and State grants, but I do not support the implementation of new local taxes.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?We know there is a flooding problem in the Village, and we are awaiting the results of a comprehensive flood study. Solutions are likely to be costly. However, there are things that homeowners can do to help alleviate flooding even before we receive the results of that study. During a meeting with Public Works staff, it was brought to my attention that the use of rain barrels by homeowners could help reduce residential flooding. The barrels help to slow run-off from heavy rains so that it can drain naturally into the ground. This also eases pressure on the sewer system by keeping out excess water. Rain barrels can help homeowners save money by providing a source of free water that can be used to water gardens and lawns. Although this will not eliminate flooding during heavy rains, it can help to reduce it on individual properties. This may seem like a little thing, but even little things can make a positive impact.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Arlington Heights is a wonderful place in which to live, work, play, and raise a family. But as in any community, there are issues to address. We must deal with our aging infrastructure. Roads, sidewalks, and curbs need continual maintenance. Due to their age, water mains are more prone to leaking and breaking. Flooding is a problem during significant rainstorms. Addressing these issues requires considerable funding, and that concerns me. Parking continues to be an issue, especially in the downtown area. Although the expansion of the Vail Street parking garage a few years ago provided additional parking, balancing the parking needs of downtown residents, shoppers, diners, and employees, as well as Metra riders, remains a challenge. I believe that parking policies must continue be reviewed so as not to punish those people who come downtown and support the restaurants, theater, and other businesses. We need to do a better job of helping the entire community feel like one community. Residents and businesses in both the north and south have told me that they feel that the center of town takes priority over the north and south. Although promotion of the downtown and central parts of the community is important and must continue, we must also focus efforts on Uptown and Southtown. I would suggest promoting the business community with a consistent, Village-wide marketing message. I would also suggest reinstituting a Village-wide print newsletter, which is a request I have heard from a number of residents.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.I am inspired by Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai, for her ongoing fight in support of education, particularly for girls and young women.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Through the examples they provided, my parents showed me the importance of service to the community.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I don't really have any regrets, but I do wish my parents had lived long enough to see me continue my service to the community.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?My favorite subject was history. It helps me put today's world into perspective, and inspires me by learning how past leaders have overcome obstacles.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?If I could only give them one piece of advice, I would urge my children to do good in the world.