Kelley M. Kalinich: 2021 candidate for Glen Ellyn Village Board

Four candidates are squaring off for three 4-year seats on Glen Ellyn Village Board in the April 6 election.

Newcomer Kelley M. Kalinich is a member of the Civic Betterment Party.

The other candidates are independent candidate Jeremy Boynton and Civic Betterment Party members incumbent Gary Fasules and newcomer Anne M. Gould.

The Daily Herald asked the candidates several questions about issues facing the village.

Below are Kalinich's responses.

In-person early voting with paper ballots began Feb. 25 at DuPage County Fairgrounds Building 5, 2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton. In-person early voting with touch-screen voting begins March 22 at locations throughout the county. Learn more at www.dupageco.org/earlyvoting/.

Bio

Town: Glen Ellyn

Age: 60

Occupation: Retired educator, served as superintendent of schools for the last 16 years of my career, preceded by principal, assistant principal, school counselor, special education facilitator, and classroom teacher. Most recently, Kenilworth District 38 (2005-10); and Cass District 63 in Darien (1993-2005)

Civic involvement: Glen Ellyn Library Foundation board, president (2017-present), secretary (2010-2017); Providence Englewood Charter School board member (Chicago Public Schools): chair of Academic Excellence Committee (2010-2020), mentor to students (2015-2018), and mentor to principal (2006-present); First Congregational Church of Glen Ellyn: moderator/moderator designate/assistant moderator — lay leadership (2017-2020); confirmation sponsor (2000-present); and Illinois Master Gardener providing educationally focused volunteer gardening services throughout DuPage County (2018-present)

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: Regardless of the topic, I view one of my main roles, as being one to listen and understand the needs, concerns, preferences of the community, while balancing decision-making with ethical and responsible focus.

My understanding of the village's role in regards to the pandemic are threefold: 1. Understand and communicate in multiple ways, the federal, state and county recommendations/requirements; 2. Engage and learn from the local businesses of their short and long-term needs, seeking ideas for solutions and determining how to implement viable ideas; and 3. seek and secure resources (grants, etc.) to support the community from health to home to business needs.

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: Yes, the village has proactively sought and implemented ways to support the community.

For businesses, the village implemented a series of initiatives to include: reducing typical costs to business such as reduced liquor license fees, employee parking fees and outdoor dining fees. In addition, the village blocked off a section of Main Street and erected a tent to provide al fresco dining for the restaurants on the block. For residents, the village provided remote access to everything from village services to board meetings. They also allocated pandemic grant funding to step up incentives for people to shop and visit the businesses.

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: I see the role of the village to follow the lead of the health professionals in terms of safeguards/guidelines for dealing with a public health crisis and to take a bold and aggressive stance on communicating best practice with the community members. In addition, there should be a commitment to retaining a portion of financial reserves to respond to emergencies such as a public health crisis.

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

A: I think the village should always consider the financial impact of decisions on taxpayers, regardless of a pandemic or not. Examining ways to reduce costs, while monitoring revenues is good business practice and should always be part of running local government.

One idea is to set up a system for emergency resources to community members for such things as support for water and sewer costs and ensuring there is affordable housing.

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: Prior to my recent study of the village's streetscape project under consideration, I was initially against moving forward with the project at this time, thinking it was not critical or necessary to spend reserve finances for such work.

However, after examining the project and attending village meetings related to the project, I understand that the streetscape work is being done as part of a larger more critical infrastructure project to replace water and sewer infrastructure, as well as roads and sidewalks.

The project has been postponed by a year due to the pandemic and the financial resources to be used have been planned though a strategic reserve process. The shortcoming of the planning of this project is the communication of “how and why” vs. the “what” that has been the primary focus in communications.

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: I feel that the village board has “kicked the can” down the street by postponing making a decision. Since it appears that this will be a topic of decision-making for the next board, I have been spending time studying the potential community impact and seeking input from community members. I am educating myself to be an effective steward of this decision for the community.

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

A: I really want to seek ways to get a wide-range of input from community members on a regular basis. I am interested in seeing how focus groups can take place using existing organizations and groups (formal i.e. historical Society and informal i.e. book clubs) in the village, as well as setting up general focus group opportunities. I am a huge advocate that more communication is the best approach and I see this focus group model as being a big step in that direction.