Amber Kubiak: 2021 candidate for Pingree Grove board of trustees

Four candidates are vying for three, 4-year terms on the Pingree Grove board of trustees. Candidate Patricia Dulkoski did not complete a questionnaire.

Bio

Village: Pingree Grove

Age: 40

Occupation: Marketing coordinator

Civic involvement: Current Village Trustee (2017-Present); Village Events Committee (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. For the past year we have been working to create an environment where our constituents can feel safe to live their daily lives. I believe that it is our job to ensure that all village services continue in the same capacity that they had been running before the pandemic began. As for local establishments and their businesses that lies with the health department. It is not my job as a village trustee to tell my constituents how to live their lives.

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. All village services continued with some exceptions. We followed the governor's orders so if residents could not come into our building to make payments on utility bills or tickets we still had our drop off box so bills could be submitted that way, or residents could go online to make payments. An issue with the online payment was the fee for a credit card payment this has been remedied now to include a check payment that allows a lower fee. If a resident needed to speak with a staff member, staff members and village officials were available via telephone, zoom or by email. As for Public Works the staff was changed to a split schedule to ensure that if a staff member became ill we would have less chance for the virus to spread. This was challenging but our only true option with the size of the department. The Police Department did the best they could despite several staff becoming ill. The use of part time officers has never been so important.

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 honestly feel like we have done all that we can to safeguard our staff as well as our residents. I would like to work with the Kane County Department of Public Health to get a vaccine location at our Village Hall if possible.

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

A. I think one thing we could do would be to re look at the water bills and see if there are any additional cuts we could make here to lower the bill even if only temporary. This is something we hear time and again from the residents. Our general budget is already so lean I do not believe that there are any additional cuts we could make without severely impacting the services our residents receive.

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 Water Treatment Plant expansion is by far the most important project we must address. The lack of redundancy in the current system creates a true chance of catastrophe for residents. Further no additional large building can be done without this project. The plan to pay for this is through low interest EPA loans which will be repaid through our current water billing, as well as impact fees on any new construction. We also have been working with the state government officials to look at grant options.

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

A. I don't know that this is the place of the local government, our job is to ensure citizens receive the services they rely on to go about their daily lives. Given the size obstacles of our current staff I do not believe we can be the authority to oversee every local business. This is meant to be managed by our local health department as the affected businesses would be restaurants and bars.

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 believe that the sales of recreational marijuana has had a positive outcome for our state for a few reasons 1) the revenue created by the sales has been positive, 2) the sale and use of marijuana in our area is one less thing the police need to worry about and 3) we have not seen a large increase in DUI or DWI arrests nor have there been any true issues involving the recreational use of marijuana within our community.

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

A. I have been researching how to bring in local businesses and give them a place to sell their goods in a less permanent way similar to what I have seen in the Bronzeville/Boxville area. There is a similar set up in Batavia with small shops about the size of a shed that allow small businesses to sell goods at a much lower rent than your usual storefront and can be easily interchangeable. Based on the current economy as well as the emergence of Amazon this may be a great way to get new shops or quick food options in our village.