Cheryl Anderley: 2021 candidate for West Dundee trustee
Five candidates for four, 4-year terms
Bio
Village: West Dundee
Age: 64
Occupation: Social services caseworker
Employer: Dundee Township
Civic involvement: Village Trustee, 2017-present; West Dundee Downtown Redevelopment Taskforce; Board member, Elgin Area Convention and Visitors Bureau; volunteer for HeritageFest, Dickens in Dundee, and Adopt A Planter; 2018 Halloween party coordinator
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. Our role has been to provide objective guidance and information as well as doing our best to protect our residents.
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. We continued to provide a high level of services to our residents by taking a creative approach to the disruption. We altered and staggered employee schedules to provide coverage in an effort to minimize close contact wherever and whenever possible. We provided adequate PPE to our front line/public facing employees for everyone's protection.
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. On a local level, we must document our current plan, make it a living document that we update as needed. We should make sure we keep adequate levels of PPE supplies, conduct annual training for our front line employees to keep them and the public safe. Continue our strong relationships with other government bodies to be certain we're working in tandem, and we're all using best practices to face this and any future health crises.
Q. What cuts can local government make to reduce the burden of the pandemic on taxpayers?
A. Local government can be judicious with taxpayers' funds, and be nimble in our responses to taxpayers needs. West Dundee put off water and sewer rate increases, suspended late payments on water bills and stopped any shut offs of water service for nonpayment.
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. Our streets and water/sewer systems are the most important projects that need to be addressed. An infrastructure program was set up and we have made it a priority to fund it so we may keep up with the maintenance of our streets and water/sewer systems. Unfortunately, when faced with economic uncertainty, the “feel good” projects such as art installations, gardens, or re-imagining the Pump House bricks for public spaces get pushed to the back burner.
Q. Do you agree or disagree with the stance your board/council has taken on permitting recreational marijuana sales in the community? What would you change about that stance, if you could?
A. I voted to allow recreational marijuana sales in West Dundee. The Board voted to allow one outlet in one specific location. I would be open to either allowing for one more potential outlet or a change to the location, if appropriate, and I would keep our tax rate competitive with the surrounding villages.
Q. What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?
A. I have been beating the drum regarding the lack of housing for Boomers who no longer wish to live in a two story house and maintain a big lot. We have apartments for seniors, we have a new memory care facility in our future, but we could use some smaller ranches at the southern edge of town so as Baby Boomers like me age we aren't forced to leave the neighborhood we love. Otherwise, we risk this segment of our residents leaving for other towns and taking their considerable spending power with them.