John Bradley: 2021 candidate for Mettawa village board

Six candidates are running for three trustee seats on the Mettawa village board

Bio

City: Mettawa

Age: 66

Occupation: Business owner, Raynor Garage Door Company

Civic involvement: Chamber of Commerce, Feed6 food

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: Leadership surrounding the pandemic crisis involves much more than just task delegation. Effective leadership must be trained and prepared to handle a host of different and sometimes difficult situations for the common good of all residence. Coupling my background in both my advanced education and professional 40 years in the business world I feel I am fully qualified to accept and handle difficult challenges that face our Village both today and in the future.

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 current administration used the Village website as a tool to keep the various businesses and homeowners updated with the news of the pandemic but I believe more could have been done. During the pandemic I have worked and continue to work with my local Chamber of Commerce and other local organizations and Villages to help provide PPE supplies to those in need, using my own company as a platform for these products. Other programs that could bring value could be forms of tax relief/rebates and possible financial help for those in need due to loos of work, or needed child care systems of assistance.

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: To provide long term value to the Village a new series of plans need to be studied and adopted which is missing in our current system, which can allow for future success during any potential problems that might befall the Village, whether it be medical, floodwater or a food crisis to just name a few challenges facing our Village.

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

A: The accounting and econometric practices of a Fortune 500 company may be a perfect model for their needs but does not relate to a Village of the size of Mettawa. A mode nimble system of handling revenue and expenses will allow a more direct impact for the Village in any crisis situation that might occur. Changes in the zoning requirements in both building requirements as well as costs to make them more user friendly can have a huge impact in providing more value to the homeowners and businesses in the Village.

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: Zoning and it's impact is the number one infrastructure project needed to be reviewed and changed followed by adding Lake Michigan water, more fire hydrants and better roads.

Q: Do you plan to address businesses that don't adhere to the governor's order to close or restrict business?

A: As of now none of the businesses have taken this path of not adhering to all Federal, State and Local requirements directed to help fight the pandemic.

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: At this point in time the current board has not decided on permitting the sale of recreational marijuana in the Village but as we move forward that can change.

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

A: Upgrade the Village website to bring it into the 21st century design so as to make it easier and less cumbersome for the intercommunication of the Village with it's residents, businesses and others who use that platform for communication and information.