Patricia Johnson: 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: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Bensenville Village boardAge: 56Family: Married, husband Rich Daughters, Jennifer and TracyOccupation: Docent, Volkening 1880 Heritage Farm, Schaumburg Park DistrictEducation: Candidate did not respond.Civic involvement: Rotary,Bensenville Arts Council,Bensenville Youth Services,Bensenville Historical Society, Core Planning Committee member for District #2,Community Development Commission, Vlg. of Bensenville served 13 years, last 5 as Chairman, Organize Village Toy Drive, SOC volunteer, former 4th. of July parade organizer and Community Foundation Member.Elected offices held: Village Clerk, 2005-2007Trustee, 2007-PresentHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Re-Branding/Redevelopment of the Community.....Bensenville is at a pivotal point in its history. New and exciting opportunities are available to re-brand and redevelop the community. We must be diligent in preparation to move Bensenville forward. We can not let these opportunities slip away.As a resident of the Village for 32 years, I bring experience,knowledge and independence to the table. I served for 13 years on the Community Development Commission,which is a combined Plan Commission and Zoning Board of Appeal. During the last five years of my appointment to the CDC, I served as chairman.I understand proper land use, zoning and development. I understand the importance of negotiation without compromising our codes to get the project done. We are a built out community with limited open space, which creates some very unique challenges. These challenges however, can be overcome with proper planning that will reap the full benefit of re-branding and redevelopment for the community. Key Issue 2 Western Access.....One of the issues related to O'Hare expansion which Bensenville has always supported, is western access to the airport. The Bensenville community, as a neighbor to the airport, recognizes its importance not only to the region, but to our residents as well. Western Access is the part of expansion that will truly benefit Bensenville as it begins the journey of redevelopment.Recently United and American Airlines have gone on record to state they will not build the western terminals that are so critical to obtain full western access. Without the terminals and people-movers, Western Access will be the parking garage with a bus ride around the airport to enter through the east. (The parking garage and bus ride is written in the O'Hare Modernization Plan, right from the start).If full build-out of Western Access is not achieved, our neighboring communities to the west, along the proposed Elgin-O'Hare extension, are also in jeopardy of not realizing full potential of attracting hotels, restaurants and convention centers, along with Bensenville.While the grade separation at York and Irving is a welcomed project, it seems ironic that it is now in the process of being resolved. If Western Access turns out to be a parking garage, the buses won't be stuck in traffic.Key Issue 3 Intergovernmental Agreement between the Village and the Bensenville Community Public Library......In July 2006, the Village and Library entered into an Intergovernmental Agreement, stating that the Library would receive $500,000.00 annually from Village funds after the voters of Bensenville approved a one cent sales tax increase in March of 2006. This plan, which was endorsed by the Daily Herald, was a ""win-win"" for the community. The residents did not see a property tax increase and the purchase of food and medicine was excluded from the increased sales tax.In August 2009, the new Village Attorneys stated in their opinion the IGA was illegal. Since that time representatives from both the Village and Library have been in discussions without reaching resolution. It is now 2011 and we need to bring this issue to conclusion. We need to reach an agreement that will benefit the two units of local government, but more importantly the residents of the Village.Unfortunately, it seems the only way to determine the legality of the IGA is to go to court. This must be avoided at all cost. I believe the Village and Library through open dialogue can reach a settlement, avoid further legal cost and allow both entities to continue to work together, while providing outstanding service to our residents.Questions Answers Now that the village has settled with the city of Chicago over expansion of O'Hare Airport, what more can leaders do to facilitate its comeback from all the adversity the O'Hare fight entailed?The O#146;Hare fight was a very emotional time for the community. The loss of 500 homes and 100 businesses, the possible relocation of a religiously owned cemetery and placement of the ring road became the topic of conversation over many backyard fences. It was a very complex issue, with many differences of opinion on what was best for Bensenville.As leaders of the community, it is our responsibility to move the Village forward for the benefit of the residents that call Bensenville home.Communication with the community to dispel rumors is critical. Misinformation is very damaging. This can be done most effectively through the Village#146;s website, Facebook, Newsflash and Twitter. We are living in an electronically connected society and must utilize these social networking opportunities.People need to know the crime rate in Bensenville continues to drop, new construction is occurring as well as redevelopment. Redevelopment will increase revenues, bring jobs to the community and lessen the tax burden on residents. All of which is good news for a community that has been through so much. Aggressive recruiting of new businesses and the creation of incentives for relocation needs to be a top priority. In tough economic times we can not afford to sit back and wait for new businesses to knock on our door. We need to continue a capital improvement plan for the residential neighborhoods as well. People are very visual; they need to see clean streets, resurfacing of streets, new construction and address flooding concerns in their neighborhoods. The residents need to see that their elected officials are working for them.There is a lot of opportunity and great potential for Bensenville, even in these tough economic times. People everywhere need to know we are thriving and Bensenville has a lot to offer.Is the $11 million that will be used to improve the industrial park the best use of borrowed funds? What should be a priority?Absolutely. The infrastructure in the North Industrial Park is in dire need of repair and improvements. An 11M investment to gain 22M worth of improvements, due to cost sharing with our industrial partners, is a ""win-win"" situation for all involved.There is a lack of growth in the Equalized Assessed Value compared to other communities surrounding O#146;Hare and even sections of property within Bensenville. Improvements must be made in order for Bensenville to compete and establish itself as a major business and corporate center. The scope of the project is large and has many issues that must be addressed in order to retain and attract additional businesses to Bensenville.Forty-seven percent (47%) of the North Industrial Park is impacted by deterioration that includes potholes, cracked pavement and crumbling curbs and sidewalks. Water and sanitary sewer lines, which pre-date 1960, are antiquated and lack capacity. Water mains are either at or nearing the end of their service life. There is a need for conduit and lighting upgrades. Drainage improvements are also needed to address the flooding experienced in the industrial park.The top priority is to address the flooding and drainage concerns-that would include larger capacity storm water sewer lines and inlets and also identifying possible retention/detention areas if needed. This would have an immediate positive impact on our current business stakeholders.Collectively, this project will make an attractive, vibrant industrial park, which will spur redevelopment, reduce vacancies and in time be an economic boom for the entire community.How do you propose keeping Bensenville a viable residential community with all the industrial growth and expansion of O'Hare airport happening near the village?With the boundaries of O#146;Hare now closer than ever, it will be important to monitor the future redevelopment of the York/Irving south to Green Street and Green Street east corridors. Having industrial use close to residential neighborhoods can have a negative impact. Chicago did not annex all the property at York and Green which will allow the Village not only to have a voice as to the type of development that may take place, but also realize property and sales tax revenue. Currently this will be green space that act as a buffer to the community.Bensenville is DuPage County#146;s best kept secret. We are a diverse community that boasts a small town feeling, with great location and access to expressways, entertainment and shopping. Within our tiny village our residents enjoy a beautiful water park, two 18 hole golf courses, a recreational complex with walking paths, soccer and baseball fields, along with picnic areas. Residents can ice skate, watch a hockey game and swim all year round. We have an outstanding library system-that offers the community services that are too numerous to mention. Soon the community will have two new elementary school buildings, without going to referendum. Test scores and student achieve continue to improve to exceed state standards at both the elementary and high school levels.Other projects that have been or are close to being implemented include the grade separation at York and Irving Park, which will relieve traffic congestion and improve traffic flow, while making access to businesses easier. This is a long awaited and welcomed project. In addition to the proposed improvements to the North Industrial Park,a Community Development Block Grant application was submitted for infrastructure improvements to the Volk Brothers subdivision. This will improve safety for students at Fenton High School and Blackhawk Middle School as well as patrons to the Library and Leisure Center. By conducting an airport compatibility study and developing a strategic economic development plan the Village will be in a position to stabilize the community and move it forward. We will be ready to ""hit the ground running"" as the economy begins to improve.The O#146;Hare issue was just one segment of who we are. There is so much more to Bensenville. We need to get that message out there #8211; loud and clear- through an aggressive public relations campaign, with all units of local government involved, to change the perception of the community.In order to welcome new residents and attract new businesses, we need to show that Bensenville is a great place to live, work and play.Once the $64 million project begins to fix the bottleneck of Irving Park and York roads and the Canadian Pacific Railroad tracks, what is the best way to alleviate the effect construction will have on local businesses?Improvements to the York and Irving Park Road intersection, and the Canadian Pacific tracks, fall under the jurisdiction of IDOT and the Railroad. With that being said the one thing the Village can and will do, is to request that all business driveways be left open and accessible throughout the duration of the project.It will be very important to keep the lines of communication open and maintain close contact with the businesses in the construction area. A pre-construction meeting with stakeholders to explain the scope of the entire project would be very beneficial. Information should include the construction time table from start to finish along with contact information for Village staff for owners to voice concerns,ask questions and get resolution to issues that may arise. Periodic visits to establishments by staff during the construction project,to let them know we are here and want to make this process as painless as possible. There is nothing like face-to-face customer service. The Village staff needs to be the voice of the businesses to IDOT.In short, staff needs to be #147;visible and available#148;.In addition contact information for elected officials should be made available if our stakeholders feel they are not getting proper staff response. Through use of the Village#146;s website, Facebook, Newsflash, and Twitter, residents can be made aware of construction progress and encouraged to patronize those businesses.Bensenville teamed up with Wood Dale and Elmhurst to create Liberty Fest last year for Fourth of July. What else could the village do to maintain the quality of life in this tough economy while also cutting costs?Open communication, and establishing a solid working relationship with our neighboring communities is key to reducing costs while maintaining quality of life for our residents.Liberty Fest is just one example of how communities can work together. We need to explore the possibility of sharing equipment used by Public Works and Forestry departments. By scheduling infrastructure improvements to shared intersections and/or boarders, both communities will realize a cost savings by having the work done at the same time. The consolidation of police dispatch is another example. With open dialogue many other possibilities will come to light.The taxing districts within the community have established a co-op to purchase paper at a reduced cost. In addition they share the expense of producing the community newsletter. We need to take a hard look at the programs and services offered by each unit of local government, to identify possible duplication and then consolidation of those efforts.Shared use of facilities, especially in the area of recreation, has strong possibilities. Park District programs held at Redmond Recreational Complex would utilize the facility to its greatest potential and benefit the residents. One example would be to create a pool pass that allows the residents use of the Park District#146;s and Village's pool facilities year round. Obtaining sponsors for events like Music-in-the-Park would not only reduce costs for the Village, but would be a great promotional venue for the sponsor. In addition,teaming up with civic organizations and the Chamber of Commerce for special events would increase volunteer manpower.Naming rights/sponsorship for the various fields and facilities at Redmond Park would be another way to reduce cost.Providing the Village Employees with the ""tools"" necessary to do their job, for example providing the latest updates in software would allow them to complete their work in an efficient manner. This will provide better customer service, bill paying convenience for residents, improve tracking and processing of payments, increase revenue and provide better time management of staff. Creating a sound financial plan and reducing debt, will in turn raise the Village bond rating which will give us better interest rates, saving taxpayers money.We also need to continually review and evaluate services that may-be more cost effective by contracting them out, thus freeing up employees. It will be of the utmost importance to monitor those contractual services, prepare a cost benefit analysis to insure savings and most importantly customer service.Finally, securing grants and working closely with our State Representatives.