Mohammad Asim Siddiqi: 2021 candidate for Glendale Heights Village Board, District 2
Mohammad Asim Siddiqi and Sufiyan Mohammed are squaring off for the District 2 seat on Glendale Heights Village Board in the April 6 election. Sharon Sullivan, who has served on the village board since 1999, is not running for reelection.
The Daily Herald asked the candidates several questions about issues facing the village.
Below are Siddiqi's responses.
In-person early voting with paper ballots begins Feb. 25 at DuPage County Fairgrounds Building 5, 2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton. In-person early voting with touch-screen voting begins March 22 at locations throughout the county. Learn more at www.dupageco.org/earlyvoting/.
For more election coverage, visit dailyherald.com.
2 candidates running for one, 4-year seat
Bio
Town: Glendale Heights
Age: 49
Occupation: IT consultant, independent contractor
Civic involvement: Glendale Heights Property Enhancement Committee for the past two years
Q&A
Q: How do you view your role in confronting the pandemic: provide leadership even if unpopular, give a voice to constituents — even ones with whom you disagree, or defer to state and federal authorities?
A: I believe the village trustee must play a prominent role in confronting the pandemic through a public lens. In this digital era of misinformation, it is easy to be misled by one hoax or scam to another. As a trustee, I will maintain transparency by communicating with my district residents and continuously letting them know of the CDC and Illinois Department of Public Health's health guidelines. Guidelines that include the requirement of wearing a mask, maintaining social distancing, and now with the appearance of the new variants, the recommendation for double masking. I will also give a voice by answering their questions through virtual town halls and provide much-needed information about how one can sign up and receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
Q: Did your town continue to adequately serve its constituents during the disruptions caused by the pandemic? If so, please cite an example of how it successfully adjusted to providing services. If not, please cite a specific example of what could have been done better.
A: I think that the town did serve its constituents during the disruptions caused by the pandemic. I believe that under Mayor Jackson, Glendale Heights fared better within this pandemic thanks to her transparency, capable leadership, and strong leadership skills. An example that I believe attests to her leadership was that she immediately took this COVID-19 threat very seriously and canceled all city meetings and went virtual. She also closed Sports Hub. She also made sure that word spread out to the villagers of Glendale Heights through email or newsletter of the newly updated website that answers any potential questions the residents might have.
Q: In light of our experiences with COVID-19, what safeguards/guidelines should you put in place to address any future public health crises?
A: I would recommend that we increase our funding for the village's Department of Health as scientists and doctors would be better able to detect new diseases and implement a robust vaccination strategy and ensure and monitor new viruses that may arise or new variants of the existing COVID-19 disease.
Q: What cuts can local government make to reduce the burden of the pandemic on taxpayers?
A: I don't think it is wise to cut anything at the moment because many families are hurting in Glendale Heights. If we cut from any department be it education to health to our police department then it only negatively impacts our residents.
Q: What do you see as the most important infrastructure project you must address? Why and how should it be paid for? Conversely, during these uncertain economic times, what infrastructure project can be put on the back burner?
A: I believe that the most important infrastructure project that the village must address is the re carpeting of roads across Glendale Heights. I believe this to be very important because the city needs to send repair crews to fill the potholes that are popping up on our roads. Given the increase in heavy snow and rain in recent months, it is essential to fix this problem that has not made driving not only unbearable but dangerous.
Q: Do you agree or disagree with the stance your board has taken on permitting recreational marijuana sales in the community? What would you change about that stance, if you could?
A: Yes, I wholeheartedly agree that recreational marijuana sales should occur and I think it was a great decision by the Glendale Heights Village Board to support that. First it brings revenue to the city and then it is proven fact that these CBD helped people with chronic pain. I think if the city makes sure that rules and regulations are followed in selling these to the right customer then there is no harm in selling these drugs.
Q: What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?
A: I think it would be a good idea to foster inclusivity in our community and I believe that, with the pandemic, it is very easy to be isolated and marginalized. Regardless of your skin, gender, or sexual orientation, Glendale Heights is for everyone and as a trustee, I would make sure that the residents of my district feel like they are at home and do not feel left out of the community.