Karen Arnet, 2021 candidate for Hoffman Estates village board
Six candidates for three available seats
Bio
City: Hoffman Estates
Age: 54
Occupation: Customer service at PLZAeroscience
Civic involvement: Village trustee/volunteerist
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: We constantly promote the face masks at all meetings and events we may attend. We also constantly promote the six-feet social distancing even in our board meetings.
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. We did not need to cut any of our services we offer (ex: health and human resources).
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: Be in constant awareness of your surroundings, disinfect and sanitize whenever you can, always wear a mask when you are in public by people and abide by the governor's restrictions as best we can. We added hand sanitizers to all buildings and continue to use our EMA services.
Q: What cuts can local government make to reduce the burden of the pandemic on taxpayers?
A: We cut all of our events in 2020 including our commission/committee meetings.
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: Keep our street revitalization going. Keep maintaining our older communities.
Q: Do you plan to address businesses that don't adhere to the governor's order to close or restrict business?
A: We have encouraged and advised our businesses to adhere to the governor's provisions. If there is a call complaining about an establishment, our health code officer goes out to the establishment to review.
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: We currently do not have any, but if it benefits the village in the long run and is also strictly monitored, I am OK with it.
Q: What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?
A: To encourage both our young adults and older adults to get more involved with our commissions.