Susan Janowiak: Candidate Profile

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:BioKey IssuesQA Bio City: BensenvilleWebsite: http://www.changedbensenville.comOffice sought: Bensenville Village Board (4-year Terms)Age: 59Family: Married 39 years to Greg, 2 adult sons, 3 granddaughtersOccupation: Business owner - Sign Works, Inc. 584 County Line Road Bensenville, IL 60106 Village Clerk, Village of Bensenville Class Manager, JazzerciseEducation: 2 years Elmhurst CollegeCivic involvement: Bensenville Chamber of Commerce PTA President for District 2 School St. Alexis 2nd grade Teacher for 26 years Bensenville Community volunteerElected offices held: Bensenville Park District Board Bensenville Park District Board PresidentHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NOCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Promote and continue intergovernmental cooperation by supporting the Bensenville Intergovernmental Group, BIG. The 5 taxing bodies. These taxing bodies recognize the need to coordinate the use of tax dollars in meeting the needs of Bensenville residents.Key Issue 2 Full disclosure on the village website. Transparency is key to building trust with our residents. All aspects of the village, salaries, resources, events, should be posted, for residents to view. As Village Clerk, I have witnessed an increase for FOIA requests, which are costly. Reducing FOIA requests, should result in significant fiscal savings.Key Issue 3 Keep listening and reaching out to the Bensenville residents. The current administration is very approachable and forthcoming. To continue this is very important.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I have honorably served the Bensenville residents and community, and would continue to do so. I work well with others, a concrete thinker, problem solver, and enjoy team work. I am a loyal, dedicated women, who is committed to her village. Being an elected official is an honor and a privilege. As Village Trustee, I will respectfully manage the village property, finances, safety, health, comfort, andd general welfare and leadership of Bensenville.Given the delicate balance between the need for revenue and over-taxing local businesses, what is your opinion of your community's present level of local sales taxes? Is the tax just right, too low or too high? Explain.As a local business owner, the rate is fair, considering it has not been raised for quite some time, but would not like to see it go up. The sales tax is a business responsibility that you accept, and collect the necessay paperwork and tax exempt forms. Also, Bensenville is not a home rule community and cannot on its own raise taxes (sales or otherwise) without going to referendum. A new tax must be authorized by the voters in a local referendum. Growth in the industrial/commercial property tax is critical to add to the village revenues.Talking with your friends and neighbors, what seems to be their biggest public safety concern? Explain the concern as you see it, and discuss how you think it should be addressed.Safety at Redmond Park. Walkers have expressed concern over dark isolated sections on the asphalt path. Those concerns have been addressed and is currently on the village agenda. The installation of two Emergency Phone Box's at the critical locations will be happening this year. Also, the increased traffic at the new Johnson School. Evaluation and with the help of the Bensenville Police Department, has resulted in 2 new Stop signs, and 4 School Speed Zone signs.In these tight economic times, municipal budgets have to be prioritized. Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?Bensenville has stabilized the village finances, reduced the debt, balanced the budget, used accepted accounting practices, and won numerous awards for financial accounting. The Board did not pass along the Dupage Water Commission increase to our village residents. Also, went to referendum and successfully passed, to cut residents electric bill, with the village purchasing agregate electric.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?Through intergovernmental cooperation and communication, the village will be building, with shared expenses, a new Bensenville Police Station with the Canadian Pacific Railroad. The Village of Bensenville will be installing its own television studio and have our own channel. Which will allow all taxing bodies, civic groups, community groups, and neighboring communities,, to promote their associations.