Rosa M. Carmona: 2023 candidate for Bensenville village board
Bio
Town: Bensenville
Age on Election Day: 51
Occupation: ASC Representative
Employer: LUMC
Previous offices held: Bensenville Village Board Trustee since 2015
Q&A
Q: What is the most serious issue your community will face in the coming years and how should the village board respond to it?
A: The most serious issue our community faces is to support our law enforcement to make sure crime in surrounding areas does not spill over in our community. It is also imperative that we strive to make sure that our law enforcement personnel have state of the art equipment, proper education and training, along with appropriate social and emotional services to support and protect our residents.
Q: How would you describe the state of your community's finances?
A: Each year the village passes a balanced budget. We must continue to make sure our budget is on target and funds remain available to address community concerns. The village's credit rating is the highest it has ever been. The village's finances are sound.
Q: What should be the three top priorities for spending in your community during the next four years?
A: The three top spending priorities in our community are public safety, infrastructure (water, sewer, and streets), and the continued installation of streetlights in the village. The village establishes a multiphase infrastructure improvement plan to be implemented over a set period that is regularly reviewed. These projects remain the priority of the village.
Q: Are there areas of spending that need to be curtailed? If so, what are they?
A: Each year the village holds several budget meetings and public hearings to establish the village's budget.
The board continues to review expenses to make sure we do not exceed expenses and regularly monitor our budget to make sure expenses and revenues are as projected. If expenditures exceed budget line items, the board determines which items need to be reduced to maintain a balanced budget.
Q: What do you see as the most important infrastructure project the community must address? Why and how should it be paid for? Conversely, during these uncertain economic times, what project(s) can be put on the back burner?
A: I believe the village's plan to install decorative street lighting to beautify our neighborhoods, and most important to provide additional safety measures, is one of its most important infrastructure projects. This is a multiyear project that uses both village and grant funds. Each year a section of the village is identified for the installation of these streetlights.
Q: Describe your experience working in a group setting to determine policy. What is your style in such a setting to reach agreement and manage local government? Explain how you think that will be effective in producing effective actions and decisions with your village board or city council.
A: I believe a group setting is key in order to have meaningful discussions with people that have different thought processes and to bring new ideas and solutions forward for consideration. At the end I do my research, ask opinions from the appropriate departments, and take their expertise into consideration when making a decision.
Q: What makes you the best candidate for the job?
A: I believe knowing how to be a part of a team with other board members, staff, and most important our residents and business community makes me an excellent candidate. Listening and being mindful to everyone concerns is very important.
Q: What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?
A: We need to work together to find common ground. Too many people are divided based on individual beliefs and demographics. We need to identify local issues we share in common and work to address them together. One way of accomplishing this is to hold additional special events in the community that brings neighbors together to learn and understand about each other that will make our community ties stronger.