Richard H. 'Rich' Veenstra: 2021 candidate for Addison mayor

Two candidates are running for a 4-year term as Addison mayor.

Bio

City: Addison

Age: 72

Occupation: Pharmacist, retired

Employer: Village of Addison

Civic involvement: Member DuPage County Health Equity and Access Response Team (HEART); Member DuPage County Heroin and Opioid Prevention and Education TF; VP Illinois Municipal League; Board Member of Choose DuPage, and DuPage Convention and Visitors Bureau; Past President of DuPage Mayors and Managers; Past Chairman of Addison Substance Responsibility Commission; Past President of St. Philip Parish Council; Past President of DuPage Pharmacists Assoc.; Member, Knights of Columbus

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: Acknowledging the fears and concerns and recognizing the health care needs of our residents as well as dealing with the economic realities of our business community is job one. Providing accurate and timely information as well as support both to residents and to business is critical. Encouraging intergovernmental communication and support helps to provide a consistent message and a unified approach to dealing with the issues caused by the pandemic.

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 instituted weekly "COVID Calls" with all local taxing bodies to share information and resources. Provided weekly COVID Update newsletters to businesses, promoted restaurants through our "Get the Addison Appetite" campaign, developed our COVID Essentials Kit educational outreach and distributed over 4000 kits to underserved areas of the Village. In cooperation with High School District 88, we registered and provided vaccinations for 1300 residents 65 and older. While we closed village hall to the public, there was no interruption of services to the community.

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: We used Code Red alerts to inform the public about our vaccination clinic. While successful in reaching a good portion of our community, the Code Red program needs to be aggressively promoted.

Q: What cuts can local government make to reduce the burden of the pandemic on taxpayers?

A: Our village has a diverse tax base and as such was not as dramatically impacted as communities that rely primarily on sales or hotel taxes. And while the pandemic has had a negative financial impact, we remain in a strong financial position. We have placed a hold on filling vacant positions and have delayed noncritical projects, and will continue to be financially prudent.

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: No response.

Q: Do you plan to address businesses that don't adhere to the governor's order to close or restrict business?

A: We continue to encourage and educate our residents and our businesses on the importance of complying with the governor's and the Health Departments' guidelines.

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: No response.

Q: Describe your leadership style and explain how you think that will be effective in producing effective actions and decisions with your village board.

A: Collaborative - Building consensus and establishing common ground allows for sharing of ideas and mutual ownership of decisions. That has been, and continues to be the mode of operation for our board.

Q: What makes you the best candidate for the job?

A: I have served multiple terms in the roles of trustee, deputy mayor, and mayor. I have gained knowledge and expertise in operational and functional roles of the village and in the critical interfaces that are essential to the provision of quality and consistent services to our residents and to our commercial sectors. The progress and growth that has been seen in Addison over recent years demonstrates my ability to lead and my commitment to continual improvement of services to our community, balanced with fiscal responsibility.

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

A: The value of diversity can't be realized unless that diversity is shared and recognized across all groups in a community. Addison is a strong faith community. Developing, possibly in collaboration with local churches, programs and projects that bring diverse groups together for a common goal such as rehabbing housing, food distribution, or social gatherings can break down barriers and preconceptions and provide opportunities for individuals to discover their core commonalities so that the diversity that they bring can be shared and celebrated by all.