Nancy Turner: Candidate profile

Bio

Name: Nancy Turner

City: Naperville

Office sought: City Councilwoman

Age: 62

Family: Married with 2 sons

Occupation: Teacher

Education: M.A.in Latin, certification in Spanish, MBA

Civic involvement: Tutor, child advocate with CASA DuPage, Loaves and Fishes volunteer

Previous elected offices held: None

Incumbent? If yes, when were you first elected?

Website: www.omearaturnernaperville.com

Facebook: O'Meara and Turner for Naperville City Council

Twitter: None

Issue questions

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

Naperville residents know that this is a great place to live, work, and play. We have wonderful schools, parks, and libraries, and we receive high-quality services from the city. It is critical to strengthen the high-quality services we currently enjoy and expect for our tax dollars, especially in the event of an economic downturn and the pressures faced by the changing landscape in brick and mortar commercial enterprises. Also important is making Naperville greener and more sustainable. Given our size, affluence, and level of education, we can and should be doing more to combat climate change. We should strive to leave our children and grandchildren a safe and healthy Naperville. I also think that maintaining housing inventory for a variety of income levels and ages is important for the future growth and sustainability of Naperville, so that the viability of our city does not stagnate if younger people can't afford to live in such a wonderful environment for families. Naperville can address all these issues by continuing to adhere to its sound fiscal strategies, and by making more choices in the future that prioritize sustainability and smart growth and development.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

I am committed to working hard on City Council by educating myself on the issues and listening to all the stakeholders involved in an issue. I am capable, with good analytical skills and a wide range of interests, honed by my career in teaching and my educational background. I have spent my life in education, either as a student or a teacher, so I know how to be well-prepared to make important decisions. I am caring and will prioritize the safety and well-being of our residents. I have volunteered for my community in a variety of ways - as a tutor in a homeless shelter, a child advocate with CASA DuPage, and with Loaves and Fishes. I will be an independent voice on city council, without any conflicts of interest, or any ties to companies doing business with the city of Naperville. I've lived in Naperville for close to twenty years, raised my family here, and I will always seek common-sense solutions that fairly benefit the entire community.

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.

My teaching career has given me substantial experience working with and leading small groups to make decisions in a collaborative manner that benefit all the stakeholders - students, parents, and department and school administrations. This avoids having winners and losers, and encourages long-term thinking and decision making. The decisions we make today should be made together for the long-term benefit of Naperville, our children, and our grandchildren. I am committed to working with my colleagues respectfully.

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?

Naperville's financials are strong and in good shape. As long as the city continues to maintain a structurally balanced budget, holds an acceptable level of cash reserves, and continues to pay down debt, Naperville will be able to provide the high level of quality services we currently enjoy and expect. I am committed to preserving these high quality services and making sure that the tax payers get value for their tax dollars.

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

I would like to suggest that, if a decision to move the Du Page Children's Museum is made, that a location near Naper Blvd. and Ogden be strongly considered as a way to revitalize that strip. The relocation of the Museum could convert these empty storefronts into a family-friendly space with gathering opportunities, such as are found in European cities. Central plazas or squares in cosmopolitan cities serve as places for social and commercial gathering, people-watching, and sometimes impromptu discourses. They typically offer eateries and entertainment, such as living statues and street art, and sometimes have fountains or permanent art installations as an anchor. In the spirit of a children's museum, other kid-friendly activities that are reasonably-priced could also be found here. #LaPlazaChica.