Heather Mullen-Gaschler: 2021 candidate for Mundelein village clerk
Three candidates running for one, 4-year term.
Bio
City: Mundelein
Age: 43
Occupation: Bookkeeper at Walker Bros. Original Pancake House
Civic involvement: Mundelein District 75 volunteer, Mundelein Community Days volunteer, Carmel Street Scenes volunteer
Q&A
Q: Why are you running for this office, whether for reelection or election the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you, and if so, what is it?
A: I grew up in Mundelein and went to Mundelein schools. My family owned a business in town for over 30 years which I worked in, I also worked for 12 years as an office manager for another business in town and my children go to Mundelein schools. As a resident of this community I have seen things that I disagree with such as excessive spending on what I believe to be low priority projects. I do not feel that I would be qualified to run for trustee. However, village clerk is a position that I know I am qualified to do while still serving as part of this community. This community means so much to me and I want to be a part of making it even greater than it already is, which is why I have decided to run for village clerk. With my skill set as a bookkeeper and previously as an office manager I believe I would be a perfect fit for village clerk.
Q: Some communities have contracted out for certain services, such as snowplowing, to save money. What innovative methods would you propose to reduce your office's budget? Explain your answer.
A: The Village of Mundelein is purchasing an ERP (enterprise resource planning) software system. I would suggest utilizing that system to set up an area on the village website for online bill payments for the water department, building inspection information, landlord/contractor registration, business licenses and scheduling. This would alleviate a great deal of time that customer service employees are currently handling with customers at the front desk by making this information available online, allowing them more time to do their other required tasks.
Q: The state's revised Freedom of Information Act guidelines renewed focus on open government. Name one specific step you would take if elected to increase government transparency in your office.
A: I would make sure to publish the upcoming board meeting agenda packet on social media sites along with a brief synopsis of the events after the meeting.
Q: What steps would you take as village clerk to improve and increase the flow of information to residents?
A: As stated in the question above, I would publish the board meeting agenda packet on social media sites along with a brief synopsis of the events after the meeting. And since not all residents utilize social media, I could also have a MailChimp database and email the upcoming agenda packets to all the residents. There would also be a "Mundelein Minute," which would be a recording for residents to call in and hear about something important/extra happening in the village weekly.