Michael Terson: 2021 candidate for Buffalo Grove village trustee

Bio

City: Buffalo Grove

Age: 50

Occupation: Superintendent of Communications and Marketing, Buffalo Grove Park District

Civic involvement: Volunteered with the Link Together Coalition, and currently volunteer as a mentor at Harper College; serve on the Lake County Youth Coalition and the College of Lake County Southlake Campus Advisory Board

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: As an elected leader, my role would be to make sure we are providing the community with necessary information, as well as a consistent and appropriate message regarding what the recommended precautions are when going out in public. My role would also be to communicate with our county and state leaders, to make sure that our residents are able to get vaccinated when it is their turn, and that we have enough convenient locations for people. So far, I think the local efforts have been handled very well; so, I would just want to make sure that continues.

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, I think our town did an excellent job; and, not just the village, but all of our local units of government. But, specifically to the village, I thought they did an excellent job of pivoting in how they made services available to the community. One example was when they installed a walk up window at village hall, so that people could conduct business without having to walk into the building. I also think all of our public entities handled things appropriately when employees were diagnosed with COVID-19.

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 don't think that there are any appropriate safeguards for local government to unilaterally implement. This is a state and national issue; and, that is where the safeguards and guidelines should come from. When units of local government step out of their lane, and try to implement their own guidelines, that is when there is mixed messaging and confusion. Locally, our role is to provide accurate information to people, and to help coordinate our end of the state's rollout of whatever those safeguards and guidelines are. I think the reason we are still in this situation to this degree is because there was not a clear and consistent message or plan coming from the federal government, which made the state's efforts more difficult to implement. That resulted in inconsistencies throughout different communities. We seem to have a better grasp on that though; so, I think that the village is positioned to learn from how this went, and improve upon ways to keep people informed.

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

A: I don't think there are cuts that our local government can make; and, while it might not be the answer that people want to hear, to imply that there are would be disingenuous. The reality of it is that local government is a small and appropriate portion of people's property tax bill (approximately 11%). And, when you look at all of the services the Village has to provide (fire and police protection, water flowing from the faucet, toilets flushing, roads and sidewalks), and also consider unfunded mandates from the state, pension obligations, and steadily increasing wages, there really isn't any room to cut anything. What we need to do is stop looking for ways to cut, and start increasing revenue through economic development.

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: The most visible infrastructure needs can be seen with constant water main breaks and crumbling roads; but, I know the Village is working on that. However, what is not as visible are aging facilities like village hall, the police station and public works building, as well as our golf course irrigation systems. But, rather than continuing with our tradition of kicking the can in perpetuity, what we really need to do is start changing the way we create revenue streams; and, the way to do that is through economic development.

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

A: I think that question is now irrelevant, since we have consistently had COVID-19 positivity rates under 3%, and we are heading into the warmer months, where people can congregate outdoors. We are also projected to have everyone vaccinated by July or August. So, I honestly don't think we will return to a situation where businesses will be ordered closed. Should we get there again though, I would be happy to revisit the issue, and give an answer based on the facts at that time. But, based on the facts at this time, I think it's a nonissue; and, I do not support businesses being forced to close. I think between the number of people who have had COVID-19, the number of people vaccinated, and the fact that people now have a clear idea of the risks (and how to safely avoid those risks), I am in favor of letting people make their own decisions on whether or not they go out in public.

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 agree. Like it or not, recreational marijuana is legal in this state; and, it would be completely irresponsible to not only interfere with free enterprise, but to pass up much needed revenue for the community. Our job as elected officials is not to be the moral police. Our job is set policy that is logical and sensible, and do what we can to foster a business community that generates as much sales tax revenue as possible. Contrary to the hyperbolic rhetoric some have predicted in years past, as a community we have survived liquor stores, off-track betting, video gambling, and we will survive recreational marijuana.

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

A: Well, my idea to build a downtown isn't necessarily something that no one is talking about; however, where I think we have an opportunity to shift the conversation is in relation to what we've experienced and learned from going through this pandemic. With that, I think we have an opportunity to create a dining and entertainment district that is built with social distancing and outdoor dining in mind. While other communities are looking at how they can adapt their streets and sidewalks, we can create something that integrates indoor and outdoor spaces, allows for more outdoor live entertainment, and is part of a walkable area that includes what would be the second largest park in Buffalo Grove. Along those lines, one thing that seems to be adapting to the pandemic faster than others is youth sports. Much like with what Wheeling has done with their baseball facility, and Schaumburg has done with their soccer facility, I think we should look at what opportunities we might have to significantly impact economic development by bringing people to Buffalo Grove to compete in youth sports tournaments.