Wendy K. White Eagle: 2023 candidate for Campton Hills Village Board

Bio

Town: Campton Hills

Age on Election Day: 63

Occupation: Director of Finance & Managing Member

Employer: Tek Pak INC & InspireNous3 LLC

Previous offices held: Campton Hills Village Board since 2019

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: Increased pressure from surrounding communities regarding development and resource use. We have a wonderful mix of urban, semi-urban, and farm use in our village and protecting this mix of land use, alongside water stewardship, is a prime driver for further enhancing this sense of place for community members.

Building a stronger community bond - with an awareness of divergent voices even within our community - will be paramount. I believe that if village residents can create spaces where we can truly hear one another we can also hang our umbrella handles on this larger, superordinate goal to build coalitions of stewardship.

Q: How would you describe the state of your community's finances?

A: Solid and built with the end in mind!

The village is debt-free, we have a fully funded police pension fund, and have just completed a remodel on our village hall with no debt.

All good - that is how I would describe the village's finances!

Q: What should be the three top priorities for spending in your community during the next four years?

A: 1. Continuing to invest in open spaces within and along our borders.

2. Working to build the water recharge areas that we do control and helping community members learn more about stewardship practices for this very important resource.

3. Continuing to expand the road analytic processes so we resurface and/or replace the roads in a manner that helps them last longer with less cost.

Q: Are there areas of spending that need to be curtailed? If so, what are they?

A: Since we carefully manage and approve budgets with contingencies in mind, we are very fiscally sound.

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: We don't really have any infrastructure projects pending right now so continued focus on roads will be the goal.

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.

A: I have been a village trustee now for just over one full term so my experience in working in our village, in a group setting, has been learned on the job with a diverse set of people around the table. Each member at this policy-making table comes at it differently - this is a very good thing.

We all listen to each other, and at least from my seat, I know I have learned from others not only how they think but also how they problem solve. I would say that I am fiscally conservative and progressive socially. I am glad for the different ideas around the table that do challenge one another in a respectful manner.

Q: What makes you the best candidate for the job?

A: My education, my professional experience, and my heart all drive meaningful contributions to our village. It is this sense of service that sits at the center of all I do. This trustee role is a small part of the many ways that I give back to our world.

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

A: I'd like to conduct Community MTGs, with the various constituencies who live here, so that we can build community energy around stewardship for this beautiful place we call home. Then, with that information, build a strong sense of shared community vision.