Rita Finley: 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: Deer ParkWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Deer Park Village boardAge: 47Family: Married with 3 children ages 7,12 and 14Occupation: Director, Custom Consumer Shopper Analytics with over 25 years experience in Brand Management and Marketing Research for the Consumer Products Industry.Education: MBA, DePaul University, ChicagoBS, Indiana University, BloomingtonCivic involvement: Zoning Board, Deer Park, IL, Tourism Committee, Deer Park, IL, Parent University, School District 95Judge, District 220 Speech CompetitionVolunteer, St. Anne-Barrington Preschool Religious Education, Annie's Attic, GIFTElected offices held: Candidate did not respond.Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: noCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Operation of the village in a fiscally responsible manner with a balanced budget. We are on a better track with our cash balances improving. We want to continue our independence from property taxes (continue with no property taxes to the village)Key Issue 2 Provide openness in decision making by improving our website and communications which will facilitate the ability for resident input.Key Issue 3 We will serve the community as our focus by better understanding resident needs. Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I have been an active resident of Deer Park and now ready to move into a leadership role. This includes attending board meetings as far back as 2001. As a mother of young children, I worked with my neighbors to establish a small neighborhood park. Recently I brought community action related to the CN Railway by researching, organizing and communicating with the input from residents.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.Quality and the right blend of unique and relevant retailers and services will continue to bring shoppers and customers to Deer Park. Our current sales tax rate is competitive.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.We need better speed limit postings in and out of parks and neighborhoods to insure safety and continued police monitoring. Also, the Canadian National Railroad is an ongoing issue and the village and residents need to continue to remain active.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?We need more funds allocated to Roads and Drainage issues which are long overdue in some areas. Every service needs to be bid competitively every 24 months and when contracts expire.What#146;s one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?We need to find ways that better connect us as a village while appreciating our distinct neighborhoods. This would be done with improved communications, pushing more information to residents and having an event that brings us together.