Nancy Farrell: 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: GilbertsWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Twitter: N/AFacebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Gilberts Village Board Age: 72Family: I have been married to my husband Rich for 47 years.My 2 grown daughters have successful careers.My older daughter is a clinical psychologist and my younger daughter a police officer. I also have two beautiful grandsons ages 5 and all most 2 months.Occupation: Retired from a career in Property Management.Education: Graduated from high school and started working. Economically there was no money for college. I attended night school. Within my profession I earned designations and was a member of SHRM.Civic involvement: Village Trustee for 2 termsTutor for the Literary Connection in ElginVolunteer with neighbors to assist with Gilberts Elementary Schools Angel TreeVolunteer for Elgins Salvation Army spring clean up Comcast Cares DayElected offices held: 2 terms as Village TrusteeQuestions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I have been honored to be elected to 2 terms as trustee. Along with my fellow trustees, we have worked to make positive changes in the village. I want to continue to move the village forward. We had a busy 8 years. Creating a water department run by the village and not an outside company. Road resurfacing project in the older areas of town. Our annual Gilberts Community Days festival. Interstate Partners Industrial Park. This is a small list of what we have accomplished. Our residents have to be confident that the people they elect have their best interest in mind. Our residents should know the board wants to do things for them not to them. I want them to know that I have no personal agenda I will be there for them. My record of voting is reflective how great our village is.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.I can't imagine that any person would say "My taxes are too low or just right". We are not a home rule community. We put forth 2 referendums that would have an affect on residents taxes. Both were voted down. The people spoke and we understood. The library district's referendum for a new facility also failed.People do not want more added to their taxes. That is why it is important to continue to grow our industrial and commercial properties. This gives Gilberts the tax revenue with no burden to the residents. This year we will have a new Shell Station and a new Dunkin Donuts. Interstate Industrial Park will be home to Sub Zero. The company is taking 225,000 square feet of the third building with the option to take more space of the remaining 40,000. We see our growth in industry and commercial.Rate the efficiency of your town's police and fire coverage. Are the departments well prepared for the next decade? What, if anything, should be changed? Do you have specific public safety concerns?Rutland Township Fire Department is the fire department that services Gilberts. People I speak with high praise always giving the fire fighters a high rating in service and professionalism.Our police department is a well trained professional department. More education and training is always given. Being on the board, I receive emails from residents commending our officers for their professional service. We live in changing times. Having a daughter, who was injured on the job as an officer, I have a concern not only for public safety but also police and fire fighters safety. I do know both departments are ready for whatever comes their way.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?I look at the revenue versus needs of the departments and know that there is no where to trim. Our department heads work together to be sure that each department is covered adequately. The board advises and leaves the staff to make the decisions.I do know that we stick to the budget and do not spend beyond what we have. In the past 8 years, we have managed to set up a reserve fund. We have a capital replacement program. Gilberts has also received awards for excellance in accounting.I am very proud of our department heads. Quarterly the board is given a budget update. Department heads keep us apprised of any unexpected expenses. We adjust the budget accordingly. Again we are not a Home Rule village so we work with the revenue we receive.What is one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?What one great idea can better Gilberts? I would like staff to reach out to companies in our industrial and business districts. Listen to their concerns, if any, and bring them to the board. Let these companies know we do not take them for granted. We need them and their businesses to be successful.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Our Finance Director is retiring after 30 years of service. We are in the process of interviewing a new director. Not that this is an issue, this is a new time for the village as this is a very important position within the village. I want our new person to succeed. There will be a period of adjustment and learning.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Currently, the Pope. He has reached out to all people with no reservations. We could all learn from him.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?How important family is.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?My first car was a dull boring Ford Falcon. I'd get that MUSTANG.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?As you can see, I have been out of school for a long time but I would say history.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?My daughters are now grown but I gave them direction to be strong independent women. That is reflected in their choice of professions.