Cynthia Kanner: Candidate profile

Bio

Name: Cynthia Kanner

City: Algonquin

Office sought: Trustee

Age: 54

Family: Husband, Gary, and two sons, Dylan (17) and Benjamin (15)

Occupation: Executive Director, Environmental Defenders of McHenry County

Education: Duke University, BA in International Comparative Studies

Civic involvement: With the goal of civic engagement or involvement being to address community concerns and promote quality of life in our community, I can say that I have been an engaged community member in our schools, scouts when my kids were young, and in the area of conservation as volunteer organizer of It's Our River Day and founder of BYOBag Algonquin. I have voiced my concern when I see something that can be changed and have been comfortable going before the Village to advocate for this change, which has been met with success. I join and support opportunities to engage and connect with my community and have done so since moving here in 2000.

Previous elected offices held: This is my first time, so none!

Incumbent? If yes, when were you first elected?

Website: www.cynthiakanner.com

Facebook: Cynthia W. Kanner

Twitter:

Issue questions

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

One of the most important issues facing my community I feel is attracting new businesses to vacant spaces. It's important for resident and Village morale as well as financially responsible to focus on attracting businesses that would work nicely in the building space we have available. I would be grateful to have the opportunity to do research and connect with potential partners. Also, better and safer connectivity with our trail systems, an important recreational resources in our midst, is important as are the addition of sidewalks from densely populated neighborhoods to nearby shopping, especially on the east side. This would be something I would advocate for if given the opportunity and survey those living in areas in need to see what their thoughts and experience has been. Another very important issue, with the near completion of our wonderful downtown Main Street, is to ensure that there is productive planning for special events to be held there with streets blocked off in celebration and for regular programs, such as an Algonquin Farmers' Market, for example. It would be exciting to research the possibilities and utilize my knowledge of the broader McHenry County community to connect with potential vendors.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

Something that I believe makes me the best candidate for the job is the simple fact that I love connecting with people and connecting people with one another. With a position, such as Trustee, it's very important to keep in mind that this is a public servant position and who we serve and how we connect is a priority. One of the best qualities I hold close to me is patience and diplomacy, and above all, respect for others and where they are coming from and how they're feeling. I'm a very good listener my friends and colleagues tell me! I enjoy being out and about in town, supporting our small, local businesses, and spending time with those around me. In addition, through my current and past experience as a leader of non-profits, I hold general knowledge that includes many areas, such as organizational and office skills, public speaking, media relations, fundraising and budget work, and relating to many different people, from volunteers to other staff and boards of directors. Throughout my professional life, my skills have transferred very nicely from organizations that were diverse in nature - from international/foreign policy, to astronomy to conservation and the environment. My skills would transfer nicely again to this work and I am confident would be an asset to the Village of Algonquin.

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 leadership style is one of respect and incluciveness - which means I value individual differences in my professional environment - and I am dedicated to teamwork without sacrificing direction and purpose. It's vital to listen and respect, while knowing one's own mind and being true to values that can help guide healthy actions and decisions that come from a place of conversation with colleagues - in this case a Village Board - and working together toward results that would benefit the whole of our community. I am someone who has a great deal of respect for others and their experiences, which I feel is an important quality in a leader.

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?

While I haven't been intimately involved with the inner workings of our town's budget, it is all public information and available on the Village website. I would want to study it more thoroughly to know where funds are allocated and what needs and services are or are not being met. I would first want to make residents feel welcome and open to communicate. Discovering what residents say may be lacking or services that need improving is very important moving forward as well and having opportunity to hear from residents is vital, which is something that can be promoted in various ways, such as resident attendance at regular board meetings, but also being present in the community as a leader, ready to listen and learn. Holding town meetings for the purpose of open communication and an opportunity to connect would benefit any community and would be interesting to explore. Of course this all needs to be balanced with the knowledge that not every question or need may be answered quickly or easily and that opinions will vary from resident to resident. But, the overall and big picture should take into consideration how most residents feel the job of those they hired is being achieved, as well as staff, and that the results either meets expectations or needs improvement. Those then, in some instances, can be addressed through budget discussions and decisions.

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

With the Fox River as an incredible natural resource right here in the heart of Algonquin, more can and should be done to promote this treasure. I have talked with people for a couple of years about establishing an outfitter in Algonquin near the river to get people out on kayaks and canoes to both enjoy and appreciate this amazing glacier and river valley feature. When people are close to nature, they tend to care more about it and want to help keep it clean and healthy. I would also like to explore the idea of making The Fox River a part of the National Water Trail System, which could attract funding for continued restoration.