Diane Murphy: Candidate profile

Bio

Name: Diane Murphy

City: Lake in the Hills, IL

Office sought: Village Trustee

Age: 52

Family: Two children, Adam 28 and Victoria 26; one grandchild, Emmalina 7

Occupation: Sales Assistant at Guaranteed Rate

Education: High School Diploma and some college.

Civic involvement: Village of Lake in the Hills Parks and Recreation Board Member, 2008 - 2018, Village of Lake in the Hills Planning and Zoning Board Commissions, 2018 - present, Community Volunteer, various events, 2008 - present, Summer Sunset Festival Committee Member, 2008 - present, Summer Sunset Festival Co-Chairperson, 2018 - present, Algonquin/LITH Lioness Club, Secretary, 2016 - present

Previous elected offices held: No elected office held

Incumbent? If yes, when were you first elected? No

Website:

Facebook: Diane Murphy for Village Trustee - Lake in the Hills, IL; @murphyfortrustee

Twitter: n/a

Issue questions

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

Lake in the Hills is an outstanding community, however there is always room for improvement. Economic growth is important. While the addition of At Home, which now occupies the former Dominicks, is a move in the right direction, it is nearly the extent of recent commercial development. I would like to see vacant store fronts and buildings, such as the medical center at Algonquin and Crystal Lake Road filled with tenants. Currently, there is no plan to develop property along Route 47 or Route 31. I will work with the Board and Staff to find viable options for these existing locations and options for bringing in more retail/commercial development to the undeveloped locations.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

With over 10 years of service as an appointed official, appointed or reappointed by 3 Village Presidents, I am well versed in how the Village government functions. I know and have worked with Staff and the current Village Board on many occasions. That experience and knowledge will be invaluable to me as a Trustee giving me a solid foundation to make informed decisions. I will be a good Steward of the taxpayers money as that is my highest responsibility as a Trustee.

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 am a non-confrontational type of leader. I value all suggestions/ideas/opinions and weigh all options through discussion. I'll voice my opinions and make a case for what I feel is the best decision. I also realize that there are strengths of others that need to be recognized and utilized and that working together is the way to get to best end result.

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?

Lake in the Hills maintains a fiscally responsible budget year after year. I would support budget cuts and/or additions should the need be proven. Steps have already been taken to assure and improve upon the level of service provided to the community. Currently, focus groups are being held to address just that. I will be an active participant in these focus groups and follow through with our residents and staff to help facilitate the process.

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

There are things that have been talked about in the past that are no longer being discussed and those discussions should be revived. For example the consolidation of the Sanitary District and the use of TIF districts to promote economic development. It's more important to me to hear what our residents are talking about - what do THEY feel will better our community. I will be an advocate for our residents and THEIR ideas.