John Baar: 2021 candidate for trustee in Oak Brook
Six candidates are running for three, 4-year seats on the Oak Brook Village Board.
Bio
City: Oak Brook
Age: 68
Occupation: Retired science teacher and assistant principal
Employer: Butler School District 53 (former employer)
Civic involvement: Oak Brook Village Trustee (2013-Present); Oak Brook Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Council (2013-Present); Oak Brook Chamber of Commerce Diversity and Inclusion Council (2020-Present); Butler School District 53 Pandemic Awareness Committee (2020-Present); Oak Brook Fire and Police Commission, Chair (2003-2009) Member (1996-2003); York Woods Community Association President (2011-2013), Board Member (2010-2018); Oak Brook Civic Association President (1997-1999), VP (1996-1997), Member (1995-1996); Oak Brook Village Caucus, Member (Previous and 2009-2012); Oak Brook Historical Society, Board Member (2012-2013); Oak Brook Park District Blue Ribbon Planning Panel, Family Recreation Center (1994); Oak Brook Park District Aquatic Center Advisory Council 1997; Grace Episcopal Church (Hinsdale) Vestry Member (2004-2007, 2012-2017)
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. In a time of crisis such as this pandemic, I believe it's crucial that all trustees speak with one voice and give strong support to our Village Manager and his leadership team in addressing any and all challenges facing our Village. Collectively, the trustees gave clear direction that our Village would strictly follow the guidelines of the County and State Health Departments. These guidelines were clearly communicated through Village Board meetings, the Village website, and social media. The welfare of the Village's residents and its visitors should be the highest priority of any trustee, and setting a good example is part of a trustee's job. I try to do this by serving on the Butler School District 53 Pandemic Awareness Committee and participating in the District's efforts to battle the pandemic while providing in-person instruction.
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. The Village of Oak Brook Village Hall was closed to the public for a short time, but the Village never shut down, and continued to provide all Village services to its residential and commercial communities. Village employees have continued to work through the pandemic, and all departments put safety measures in place to safeguard the employees and the public. The Development Services Department initiated a touchless drop-off procedure for obtaining building permits and a procedure for virtual inspections. Village meetings have been virtual, with links being sent out through the Village website and social media. The Oak Brook Public Library placed an emphasis on online checkout and utilized curbside pick-up/drop-off or grab-and-go, depending on the declared phase of the quarantine and restrictions in place.
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. The Village of Oak Brook has for years maintained a Crisis Action Plan for responding to emergencies. It now has to add a pandemic to this Plan, beginning with a thorough debriefing of its response to the present pandemic and establishing procedures based on actions the Village took to address the many challenges the pandemic presented. Actions taken that worked, didn't work, or could have been done better or differently need to be assessed and written into the Plan. One action would be to stockpile emergency supplies specific to a pandemic, such as personal protection equipment (masks, gloves, etc.).
Q. What cuts can local government make to reduce the burden of the pandemic on taxpayers?
A. The Village of Oak Brook levies no municipal property tax, so there is no direct burden to the residents. The best way the Village can help the taxpayers is to continue to provide superior Village services and communication between the Village and the taxpayers.
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. Oak Brook has two major infrastructure projects being constructed now. They involve roadways, intersections, bridges, bike paths, and a bike underpass. These projects have been in the planning stages for many years, and money had been set aside to fund them; money from another Village fund was also made available. When State grants also became available for these projects, they were given the green light. The Village has not allowed itself to be paralyzed by the pandemic. Through a Design Build Model, it has received very good discounts on several other projects in the Village. The Village determined what infrastructure projects must be done and whether money could be saved now by going ahead with them. Several water main replacements and a leaking roof are the best examples. Other projects, such as the reconstruction of several residential streets and parking lots will most likely be put off.
Q. Do you plan to address businesses that don't adhere to the governor's order to close or restrict business?
A. Our Village Manager and the Development Services Department have worked very hard to help the businesses in Oak Brook. The Village has a great relationship with the Oakbrook Center, the hotels, and the restaurants and worked to expedite the permitting and inspections of outdoor dining facilities and signage so the public knows the businesses are open. Because of this, there has been great cooperation from all of the businesses and adherence to the various restrictions ordered by the State. If the Village does get a complaint, it is handled on a case-by-case basis. There have been only a few complaints.
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. The Oak Brook Village Board of Trustees, with the support of the Village President and Police Chief, voted unanimously not to allow the sale of recreational marijuana in the Village, for some of the same reasons the Village voted not to allow video gaming or red-light cameras. I believe it doesn't fit the vision most residents have for Oak Brook, and I would not change my stance unless a referendum of the residents showed that they were in favor of the sale of recreational marijuana.
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 public/private initiative to bring residential fiber optic cable into every home in Oak Brook. This pandemic has shown that a fast and secure connection to the internet is absolutely crucial and is no longer an option for the children who are in virtual classrooms or for others who are working remotely. Village governance and so much of the business of business continues because of virtual meetings. This pandemic has changed the world we live in and how business is conducted in both the private and public sectors.