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Virginia Stephens: Candidate Profile

Carpentersville Village Board (4-year Terms) (Republican)

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: CarpentersvilleWebsite: Office sought: Carpentersville Village Board (4-year Terms)Age: 58Family: Divorced, 1 lovable 4 year old Shih Tzu named Mr. Rodgers.Occupation: Executive Administrative Assistant (20+ years)Education: Graduate of Southwest Wisconsin Technical CollegeCivic involvement: Member - Carpentersville Improvement CommissionMember - Parks CommissionMember - Board of Directors - SPCA Homeowner's AssociationNotary PublicElected offices held: NoneHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Enhancing and improving Village imageKey Issue 2 Supporting Routes 31 and 25 Improvements (ensure smooth transition for Walmart build)Key Issue 3 Balancing budget / watching expenses / no tax increasesQuestions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I have been very encouraged by the forward progress our current Board has made over the past several years. This is a great time to be a part of the changes that are taking place in our village. Having served on both the Carpentersville Improvement Commission and Park Commission, I have I contributed to many improvements already but would like to be involved on a larger scale to help see the other long term changes completed for our village.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.Given our current economical times, I think it is imperative that we encourage new business rather than raising the sales taxes. Like an average resident, we need to establish a solid budget and govern accordingly. 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.My neighbors concerns include the unsolicited door to door sales people as well as the enforcement of rental licenses. We need to have better restrictions and enforcement in this area.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?I am currently attending the Budget meetings and feel that we are on a good path to have a solid budget.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?Getting residents involved in a community-wide clean up/paint up/fix up month. Just as curb appeal is vital to selling a house, beautification of our village will bring new business, new residents and new visitors to our village while improving our image.