Christy Davis: 2021 candidate for Round Lake Beach trustee

6 candidates running for 3, 4-year seats; Chuck Husk did not respond

Bio

Town: Round Lake Beach

Age: 46

Occupation: Small business owner. I was a local day care provider, serving our area for many years. Due to COVID, I was forced to close my business. I am now launching a new community-based company.

Civic involvement: Current Round Lake Beach village trustee; community volunteer; fundraiser for cancer charities, community collections for coats/hats/gloves and more for low-income families.

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 feel my role has been to lead by example, answer questions, supply resources, follow guidelines, and do my part in suppressing the spread of COVID-19. I take that role very seriously while considering the safety of my family and my community.

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: Considering that information filtered in from the CDC, WHO, federal and state level changed regularly, I feel our officials, front-line employees, and first responders did an exceptional job adapting to and keeping up with incoming information while fighting an invisible and unpredictable enemy. Our Village responded by communicating changes and developments quickly through the system, sharing information front-and-center on the Village website, supplying first responders with protective gear, canceling events, closing doors to common Village areas, holding meetings online, working from home where feasible, staggering start times, reducing the sharing of equipment, offering drive-up testing, and creating an Emergency Plan to protect employees and the community. I feel the Village worked diligently to keep everyone safe and informed.

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: Even when COVID-19 has subsided, we will not soon forget the affects our actions and/or complacency can have on another individual, family or community. Public awareness, access to medical care, public mask wearing, availability of simple protective gear in public places, and effective communication regarding new or potential health threats from the federal, state, county, and municipal level are all necessary to ensure the safety of our families. In our community, I would like to see available masks and sanitizer at all indoor communal areas. Having these items readily available so others can easily mitigate their risk is a small step that provides an effective shield. Fortunately, from what I have seen, our residents have been overwhelmingly considerate of their fellow neighbors during this delicate time. I cannot be prouder of the respective nature demonstrated throughout our community.

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

A: Evaluating areas of opportunity on an ongoing basis is imperative, regardless of a pandemic or not. Creative thinking, consolidation, service cooperatives with neighboring townships, and consistent reviewal of controllable expenses are necessary to recognize areas of opportunity. Our Finance Department has recovered losses brought on by the pandemic in every one of these ways. Taxes and government spending greatly impacts the pocketbooks of our families alike. Therefore, we are all invested in managing the way controllable expenses are handled. With that, I encourage each of you to attend at least one meeting - ask your questions, provide comments/suggestions, and get to know the faces behind your village. It is your voice that we are meant to carry.

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 am open to discussing the physical, mental and economic benefits and risks that recreational and medicinal marijuana sales may play in our community from the perspective of the Board, administration and community before deciding where I stand. During my time on the Board, I have not seen a request to open a dispensary. Nonetheless, I would not change the previous Board's decision to open the door to conversation and opportunity in this matter.

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

A: As a parent and former day care provider, my passion and dedication to our youth extends beyond my four walls. My goal is to work with our youth on initiatives that they are passionate about - issues that may affect their lives personally. Allowing them to plan fundraisers, utilize resources, work with the community, and witness the impact they created firsthand, builds not only confidence, but character. Self-empowerment has no age limit, and we are often only limited by our imagination. Can you imagine the lifelong implications this one philosophy can have on an individual and a community?

Q: What is the primary reason you're running for office? What is the most important issue?

A: I am running for Village Trustee because RLB is the very foundation of my family. It is where I live, work, shop, raise a family of six, and support my children's education during E-learning. Every resident and employee of RLB takes part in the communal raising of a family, whether they realize it or not. I enjoy playing an integral part in that process. I feel that the most important issue we may face in the days ahead is restoring the damage that racial, political, and gender barriers have created. Restoring the spirit and value each resident has to offer may deliver the greatest compounding reward to not only our village, but humanity.

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 feel our financial department does an exceptional job creating a budget that spaces short and long-term projects based on road degradation, age, traffic volume and funding. Reducing the financial burden on taxpayers by utilizing available grants and funding offers the least resistance with the most stable outcome. The Public Works, Engineering, and Finance Departments work synonymously to create timelines based upon current economic times, funding, and relevancy. I have confidence in their ability to serve our community as best they can with financial means, public safety, and your concerns in mind.