Laura Brehmer: 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: AlgonquinWebsite: www.laurabrehmer.comTwitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrehmerforAlgonquinTrustee/Office sought: Algonquin Village Board Age: Candidate did not respond.Family: I am married with two children.Occupation: Substitute teacher.Previously, I worked in community relations, project management communications.Education: Bachelor of Science from Northern Illinois University; Master of Business Administration from Roosevelt UniversityCivic involvement: Board President(8 yrs.) and board member (12 yrs.) of a homeowners' association for 820 residents; Community Unit School District 300 parent volunteer (10 yrs.);foster parent/volunteer for animal shelter (6 yrs.);religion teacher/volunteer (7 yrs.); volunteer for Neighborhood Watch, Feed My Starving Children, Mobile Food Pantry, Coat Angels and D300 Leadership Academy.Elected offices held: Candidate did not respond.Questions Answers What is your stance on the Longmeadow Parkway project? Is the fight against it realistic at this point. Please explain.The high growth days of the mid-90's are gone. The Longmeadow Parkway toll bridge and roadway won't reduce congestion based on Kane County Division of Transportation's commissioned traffic studies. The road isn't for motorists: it's for developers. The addition of the proposed Longmeadow toll bridge and roadway will pull traffic (and revenue) away from businesses along east Algonquin Road and Main Street. It will also route additional traffic to the already congested Randall Road. This roadway will most likely, negatively impact residents along the corridor and put a strain on current police, fire, and public works resources. Who gets stuck with the tab? Taxpayers.Many municipalities are met with the challenge of maintaining steady revenue streams while trying to lower the tax burden on businesses and property owners. How has the village handled that balancing act so far, and how would you improve/maintain that situation?Every municipality faces or soon will face the cost/revenue squeeze. The challenge is how to meet and exceed residents' expectations for Village services in a property-tax-freeze environment. One way is to be ruthless on the cost side of the ledger and avoid mission-creep that adds costs. We should pursue commercial growth that can increase tax revenue without a rise in costly Village services. What residents DON'T want is to keep getting dinged with higher taxes and fees. Residents just got hit with new water and sewer monthly charges for example. A Daily Herald article featured one local town's board who voted to increase its tax levy by 14.5%. That's an example of what we can't be doing to cover operating costs.How do you envision the village developing economically over the next several years, and where in the village should officials be focusing their efforts?Village planners should be focused on east Algonquin Road for economic development. The former bowling alley has been sitting vacant for years. The former Butera shopping plaza is nowhere near full occupancy. We also need to increase events in the downtown district that would draw people to the businesses in the area. We need to market these locations as aggressively as Randall Road.Describe your plans for maintaining/improving the village's downtown district.The downtown district is part of the Village of Algonquin's character. Water and sewer lines should be replaced if they are in a deteriorated condition. Spending millions of dollars on "nice stuff" won't guarantee the success of the downtown. Lower cost options should be explored. Since the construction of the western bypass, the historic downtown has taken some steps toward revival, such as increased street parking. But we are not in the same league as other towns for making downtown a community "destination." A "buy local" marketing plan and community outreach program to draw residents, non-profit organizations and community groups to the area would help strengthen the prosperity and investment of the downtown district.Where in the village's budget, if anywhere, could expenses be trimmed? And on the other hand, should the budget allot more money toward any particular area, service or village department?Expenses could be reduced by downsizing the downtown Algonquin $30 million project. The budget can be monitored by identifying and eliminating unnecessary spending on an ongoing basis. Aging streets, water and sewer lines are some of the more pressing issues the Village needs to address. A long range replacement/maintenance forecast with costs per year would assist the Village to plan for upcoming expenses without incurring large amounts of debt. Responsible growth and its impact on infrastructure costs and public safety expenses should be a factor in developing the budget and approving zoning petitions.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Improve village communication with residents and businesses by community outreach; attend various community based meetings, i.e., homeowners' association meetings; grow Facebook presence; and add direct link to feedback/request page at top of monthly electronic newsletter. Informed and engaged residents, businesses and government officials make for a greater community. Increase transparency by digitally recording all village meetings and posting/streaming live. Engage residents and business owners so they are part of the decision making process in a meaningful way. Their input should be more than a 5-minute public comment. The Village of Algonquin covers portions of McHenry and Kane. Both of these counties are in the highest property tax category in the United States. Families need to live within their means so should government. I would vote against unnecessary spending and borrowing. I'm dedicated to enhancing residents' quality of life, while promoting responsible and cost-conscious solutions for taxpayers.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Mary McAleese, President, Ireland has the fastest growing economy in the European Union. She also improved relations between two historically opposed groups in her country.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?The importance of a strong work ethic and living on a budget.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would want additional quality time with my Mother before she passed away.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Marketing was one of my favorite subjects. It emphasized the importance of building relationships. I've utilized this knowledge in all facets of my life.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Believe in yourself and make a difference in this world.