Brian Maye: 2021 candidate for Mount Prospect Village Trustee

Mount Prospect Village Trustee

Four Candidates - Three 4-year terms

Bio

Write-in candidate

Hometown: Mount Prospect

Age: 49

Occupation: Attorney/Partner - Aviation and Aerospace Litigation

Employer: Adler Murphy & McQuillen LLP, Chicago

Civic involvement: Board Member of the District 57 Board of Education, Mount Prospect; Board Member of the Northwest Suburban Special Education Organization (NSSEO); Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Post 1337, Mount Prospect; Member of the Knights of Columbus, Council 6481, Mount Prospect; Volunteer/Mentor to at-risk youth; U.S. Navy, 2000-2006 (served in Iraq in 2004); Peace Corps, Ukraine (1997-1999)

Q&A

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

A. I want to use my experience, professional skills, and commitment to community to help make Mt. Prospect a better place for parents to raise their children, for older residents to enjoy their retirement, and for entrepreneurs to live out their dream of owning and operating a successful small business. I'm very passionate about being involved in local government and would love the opportunity to serve my neighbors in this next chapter as a Village Board Trustee. The development of the downtown area, which is critical to bringing together Village government, business community, civic community, families, and neighbors. Continued improvement to the center of our Village will enhance our ability to attract new residents and businesses, leading to higher property values and a stronger tax base.

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. Leadership is not about deferring to the state or federal authorities. The broad guidelines provided by the state of Illinois and the federal government cannot serve as a substitute for local leaders who have intimate, firsthand knowledge about the needs of our community and the extraordinary capacity of our Village residents. We, as local officials, must become as educated as possible about the science, understand the unique challenges faced by our Village, be fully informed about the views of our constituents, and act in a forthright manner to come up with creative solutions. If we do that, Mt. Prospect will emerge from this difficult period stronger than it was before.

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. In responding to the pandemic, the Village of Mt. Prospect demonstrated its ability to adapt and persevere to meet the needs of its residents and businesses. Not only did the Village help the neediest residents through its own assistance programs, but it also aided individuals and businesses apply for state and federal government programs, such as unemployment benefits and grants through the CARES Act, which were crucial to lifting up so many families in 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. Developing and maintaining strong, functioning relationships with governmental agencies, at every level, and nongovernment organizations, during times when there are no significant public health crises is the best way to be prepared for responding to future public health crises. If the Village of Mount Prospect routinely communicates with public health entities during normal times, it will be equipped to navigate through a public health crisis in a more confident and proactive manner because it will have the right tools and resources at its disposal.

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

A. I believe that there should be a government hiring freeze at the federal, state and local level, and a freeze on pay increases of government employees until we get through this pandemic. This has been happening in the private sector, and the savings from a hiring and pay freeze, and other belt tightening, can be used to help our small businesses and residents in most need. Additionally, to the extent the Village can reduce fees for those most affected financially by the pandemic, this is something to consider.

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 do not believe that any infrastructure projects should be delayed or put on the back burner due to COVID-19. Improved infrastructure is paramount to the safety of our citizens, and it serves as a critical element to attracting new commercial developments. Not only would delaying projects eliminate much needed jobs now, but it would negatively impact the future growth of Mt. Prospect when the pandemic is behind us. We need to be laying the foundation now for what comes next for our community.

Q. Do you agree or disagree with the stance your municipality has taken on permitting recreational marijuana sales in the community? What would you change about that stance, if you could?

A. The village made the right decision in permitting the sale of recreational marijuana. Such decision is a win-win policy. Not only will our residents have safe and regulated access to a product that can provide great medical benefit, but the Village, has been, and will continue to be, the recipient of much needed tax revenue, residents will benefit from the creation of additional job opportunities, and new businesses will emerge, contributing to the growth of our Village.

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

A. I would like to see a collaboration between the Village of Mt. Prospect and our neighboring towns to create an extended, protected bike path, to better connect our communities. Within our Village, we would benefit from a more bike-centric approach to the way we design our village streets, parks and pathways. Bike lanes and dedicated bike paths would allow our residents a greater opportunity to get out, be more active, and attend community events. I also think that as a parent, I would be more inclined to allow my children to go out and explore on their bikes, which we all did as children, because I would be less worried about safety issues.