Rose Martinez: Candidate profile

Bio

Name: Rosamaria "Rose" Martinez

City: Elgin

Office sought: Elgin City Council

AGE: 58

Family: Mother, a brother, two sisters, eight nieces & nephews, four great-nieces & nephews, and eleven Godchildren (two living with me Ariel & Emilio).

Occupation: Post retirement/ District U-46 transportation.

Education: Elgin Community College - General Courses, St. Phillips College, San Antonio, Tx. - X-ray Technician Courses.

Civic involvement: Member - American Legion Post #57; member - VFW Post # 1307; member - National Active & Retired Federal Employees (NARFE); Club Matanzas Jalisco (CMJ) Executive Board Member.

Previous elected offices held: None.

Issue questions

What are the most important issues facing your community and how do you intend to address them?

One important issue is the unfunded mandates the city receives from the state for the police and fire pensions that will be at 90 percent funding by the year 2040. Perhaps we should consider freezing the pensions of our state elected officials until this issue is resolved. Until then at minimum we should consider continue to fund police and fire officer pensions and increase an additional 1 percent each year.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

I was born and raised in Elgin. I worked for three decades at the Elgin Post Office and I currently work for School District U-46 transportation department. These experiences and exposure over the years gives me an excellent knowledge and understanding of this city and our challenges. With the exception of a handful of meetings, I have attended the planning and zoning meetings over the past 4 ½ years. I am not afraid of engaging with our community, I welcome their input.

Describe your leadership style and explain how you think that will be effective in producing actions and decisions with your village board or city council.

I enjoy taking a hands-on approach in the community. I attend at least 2-3 meetings a week with neighborhood committees and local organizations. By meeting with them I can better understand their concerns. I then follow by meeting with city staff to discuss their perspective on the issues at hand and what options are available. I am open to having others educate or assist me to better understand how best to resolve the concerns. I feel it is key to listen to and understand all sides.

How would you describe the condition of your community's budget, and what are the most important specific actions the town should take to assure providing the level of services people want?

The City of Elgin has a strong financial position. It enjoys a AAA bond rating with low debt. While the median income level in the community id $58,000 unlike other communities of higher income levels, the city council has worked very hard to avoid placing the burden solely on property owners. Instead it has considered other more equitable options such as adopting user-based taxes for services.

Elgin offers many amenities lacking in other more affluent communities. To name only a few Elgin has a college, a university, the Hemmens Cultural Center, the Elgin Symphony Orchestra, theater groups, three golf courses, 3 museums, 68 parks, a state-of-the-art library and a casino. These amenities not only entertain our residents, but also provides employment.

What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?

I have always wanted to make Elgin the sports mecca of the Midwest by expanding it and extending it to Route 31. By offering sports events and tournaments for all ages year around we can grow these events beyond one day events making Elgin a multiday destination. I propose we grow the current complex with the addition of indoor facilities. By expanding east of Route 31, we have the opportunity to add a commercial strip with food outlets and hospitality facilities. These businesses can add revenue to help pay for this expansion. A first caliber facility will attract athletes and their families/friends, not only locally, but from other states as Elgin would host their events.