Martha Ibarra: 2021 candidate for Round Lake Beach trustee

2 candidates running for 1, 2-year seat

Bio

Town: Round Lake Beach

Age: 48

Occupation: Retail, Walmart

Civic involvement: Shop with a Cop, Round Lake Beach; High School FAFSA Preparation (help kids with preparation); Community Action Team (CAT); PLAN (People Lending Assistance Network), Round Lake Beach Days; Make a Difference Day; Feed My Starving Children in Libertyville; Lake County Sheriff's Department events

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 as being a servant leader to the community is to understand the needs of the pandemic, utilize my knowledge and experience in volunteering to support and enable the community to move swiftly through these challenges. I believe leadership is about doing what's in the best interest of the community, working with the facts, communicating broadly and with purpose and intention. I believe seeking to understand our constituents will provide us with ways that we can solve problems together. I particularly value those who disagree, because they help the team consider all angles of the problem. I feel that we need to understand our role to help facilitate and expedite state and federal programs, so that our community is served efficiently and swiftly.

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 from observation throughout the community, that our community has adopted social distancing and wearing masks well in accordance with our state and federal government's direction. I believe we do need to do better with regard to helping small businesses survive and thrive through the use of social media to promote and engage the full services that are out there for our 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: Work with hospitals to determine if there are better ways to triage patients through use of mobile, easily assembled treatment shelters to temporarily increase bed capacity.

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

A: Reduce property taxes temporarily to aid families who aren't working due to pandemic related job loss.

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: We need to collect data to measure the impact increasing recreational marijuana use is having on traffic related accidents and crime within the community. We further need to measure it's impact on employee turnover rates within our community businesses.

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

A: Create a culture of civic involvement and self support to empower our people to help themselves and others.

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

A: My goal is and has always been to work on community engagement while working together with all our residents to enjoy what this wonderful community has to offer. I enjoy being able to help improve and expand engagement with the community to best serve our community's needs.

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: We have underutilized space throughout our village that is a resource that might help our community grow.