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Mohammed Jameel: 2021 candidate for Long Grove trustee

Four candidates are vying for three four-year seats on the Long Grove village board.

Bio

City: Long Grove

Age: 51

Occupation: Physician at North Shore Health Systems

Civic involvement: Volunteer for Feed Our Starving Children; Board of Directors for ZAM Community Center in Chicago

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 pandemic has demonstrated a need for local, state, and federal governments to coordinate and communicate effectively. My goal is to foster this partnership.

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 believe the attempt was laudable, but we can do better. Again, I feel we need to have a closer relationship with the various levels of government to effectively communicate and coordinate.

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: As a physician on the front lines of COVID, we need to not only practice proper hygiene and we need quick responses when we suspect outbreaks are heading our way.

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

A: Long Grove's budget is fairly restricted, in terms of they operate minimally. We can find ways to consolidate services with the county, to alleviate some of our expenditures.

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: The largest infrastructure needs in Long Grove are road maintenance and congestion. I plan on tapping state and federal grants to obtain resources for those projects.

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

A: Businesses are hurting, but we also need to balance saving lives and mitigating the spread. You catch more flies with honey, than you do with vinegar. So, I plan to develop a constructive partnership with businesses to help achieve our individual goals together.

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 need to research this further. On analysis of our board's budget, the $6400 from sales seems to suggest we could do more in terms of revenue, but there is a difference between a medical opinion and a policy opinion.

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

A: Thinking outside the box to develop a new perspective on how to address our concerns.

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