Activist Toolkit

1. What motivates you to seek this office? What skills, experiences, and perspectives would you bring, and why would those contributions be valuable in the office you are seeking?

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said that anyone can be great, because anyone can serve.  I believe service to others is one of the highest callings.  I grew up in Maywood, attended Proviso East, and my husband and I raised our family here.  As an adult, I have long participated in civic, social, and school activities—including the PTA—that are designed to enhance the quality of life for the wonderful people who live here.  I also worked in the Maywood Post Office and served in the union for many years.  Then I decided I could better serve my community by getting involved in government as well.  

My love for my community and a passion for good governance motivates me.  I believe in a government that “promotes the general welfare.”  Those words are enshrined in the preamble to the Constitution; and I want to make sure they have meaning in Maywood. People work hard, pay their taxes, and all they want is a safe environment to raise their kids, good schools, a pleasant community with good spiritual, social, and recreational outlets, and some peace of mind.  Government that runs smoothly while promoting the general welfare is good government, and I want to be a part of that.

I bring a wealth of experience having served three terms as trustee, before I ascended to the mayoralty, as well as deep knowledge of governmental issues at the municipal level and a strong work ethic, among other important qualities.

2. What does transparency in government mean to you?  How would you put it into practice? 

Transparency is an essential feature of government in a democratic, egalitarian society.   If government is to be “of the people, for the people, and by the people,” then representatives of the people are under a solemn obligation to provide information about the workings of government.  Representative government means those who are entrusted with the job of governing must be open, honest, and forthcoming with answers about government.  Some government entities have earned a reputation for making “backroom deals.”  I unequivocally repudiate that style of government and insist that the people have a right to know what is going on in their village.

A few years ago, I instituted monthly Town Hall meetings to:  1) give more detailed reporting about governmental issues than can reasonably be presented in regular board meetings; 2) to give constituents more time to ask questions or make comments beyond what can typically be accommodated at regular Board meetings; and 3) to allow constituents more access to other village officials (e.g. the village manager, police chief, etc.).  Also, I encourage constituents to take advantage of our Freedom of Information Act; and I always make myself accessible to the “Fourth Estate” (e.g. media outlets) so they can perform their obligation to be a “watchdog on government.”

3. As more of our local discourse happens in social media, what is your view on how local elected officials should communicate with and respond to constituents? How will you engage with the breadth of the community, and not only those on social media?

Excellent communication is imperative if government is to be transparent and if public servants are to be responsive to constituents. All forms of media must be engaged.  While social media is, obviously, important—and my office is active on social mediums—there are many members of this community who are not on social media and they must be reached, too.  Therefore, I use traditional forms of media as well as to communicate and convey important messages to Maywoodians.  I write op/eds in local media on important issues (e.g. the need to fill out and file the census questionnaire), I appear on local cable and internet tv and radio shows, I send out robocalls about important issues, and I am highly responsive to reporters who want to question me about governmental issues for their respective forms of media (print, broadcast, and social).  

I also host Town Halls and attend churches and local events to promote messages that constituents need to hear, and we distribute flyers about various issues all around the village.  My office has bulletin boards posted and literature binds located at municipal buildings, we have a marquee to place information on in front of the Office of the Mayor and the village building on Madison, and we use digital billboard signage off the expressway. Conveying information in every form of medium is an important part of governing.

4. What do you feel are the three biggest issues facing Maywood, and how do you intend to address them? 

Aside from Covid 19’s devastating impact and property taxes (which you inquire about in separate questions below), the three biggest issues facing Maywood are the need for economic development, public safety, and the zero levy issue. 

Economic disinvestment has plagued this village since American Can Company left decades ago; and advancement in this area may seem bleak, but it is not.  If like-minded trustees take the task seriously and commit to doing the work, economic development can happen. There are many commercial and retail entities that want to conduct business in Maywood.  I have seen them make sound presentations, and then throw up their hands and leave because some members of the Board of Trustees have not understood what a jewel Maywood is, nor the process for getting things accomplished.  However, business leaders know what I know, and that is that this village has much to offer.  Strategically located between two major airports with beautiful homes, good transportation, a world class hospital and adjacent hospital district, and great people, Maywood is a wonderful village within which to work, reside, and play.  What some board members have lacked is a cogent understanding of who we are and a real commitment to getting the job done.  I am running with a team of people who love this village, as I do, and who are dedicated to the things I have been rallying for since my days as a trustee.  I believe we can accomplish great things in this area; and my running mates and I readily accept the challenge.  A vote for us is a vote for economic development.

Public safety is a difficult issue.  Carjackings are up all over the metropolitan area, and people are justifiably concerned about crime, as am I.  People all over the country and here in Maywood have made it clear that they want to look at policing in new and innovative ways.  I am excited about reimagining how 21st century policing can look.  I want to assess and study, block by block, street by street, how we can improve policing in Maywood and get it done.  

Regarding the zero levy, by not levying, we run the risk of not being able to meet important constituent needs.  We will have to scour for every opportunity to acquire needed dollars.  We will make up for the dollars we will not realize (without a levy) by pursuing federal, county, and state grants, and working with community non-profits who request support from the Office of the Mayor to pursue grants that will help them provide services in our village, too.

5. How do you define equity? Have recent events and discussions in the larger community informed or changed your thinking? 

Equity encompasses the concepts of justice, fairness and lack of bias and should be applied in all spheres of life.  This is especially important in government and law.  I want to live in a society where people have access to education, housing, employment, contracts, banking, and healthcare, among other things, based on a process that is fair and that has been properly and critically assessed to ensure that there are no unintended unjust outcomes or consequences.  Today, especially, the inequities in the criminal justice system have finally come to the fore.  This is an important topic that, unfortunately, is also rife for people to propagandize and obfuscate in favor of more of the same—more of the status quo.  We must be unequivocal in ferreting out the myriad injustices in policing, prosecuting, and sentencing that are based on race and class.  Decades of empirical research conducted by Black, White, and Hispanic social scientists and lawyers tell us that we have serious problems with equity and equality in the system.   We cannot refuse to respond to these outrageous injustices because some people do not understand, or do not care to understand, the problem. We must demonstrate the character and integrity needed to address these crucial social justice issues that have an extremely detrimental impact on Black and Brown families and communities, not just in the criminal justice arena but in all systems that Black and Brown people interact with, including all the other areas mentioned.  Inequities in all systems must be eradicated—and the time is now.

6. What is your broad vision for the future of Maywood? How will you promote substantive discussion, build consensus among trustees, and rally public support for your vision?

My broad vision is to have a safe village that features a quality of life that every single resident can benefit from, and that reflects the rich and inspiring legacy, charm, and history of Maywood. I want Maywoodians to live in a village where they can rest, work, shop, access spiritual, recreational, and entertainment facilities, and find peace.

I do and will continue to promote substantive discussion with residents by holding safe, socially distanced Town Hall meetings, that can also be accessed by Zoom, and by regularly showing up (in person or by Zoom) at community events and meetings, and in churches, so that I am readily accessible to residents.  My home phone number is on my business card, and I am always available to meet with residents in my office.  I am a strong proponent of using social and traditional forms of media to get information out because many residents are not on social media.

I would like to have a good, free flow of information to trustees, so that we can have substantive discussions about the costs and benefits of initiatives that are proposed for the village.  Also, I am always in the community discussing public issues and initiatives with constituents.  The pandemic has made it so that many community events are on Zoom, and I have certainly taken part in many, many calls, and I sincerely look forward to the day when I can interact with residents in person, so as to continue rallying public support behind my vision.

7. What are your plans for assessing the Village Manager’s performance? What processes and protections do you believe should be afforded employees who have voiced grievances? How would you describe your management style? 

The Village Manager form of government in Maywood is dictated by Illinois State Statute and, in effect, it says the Village Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the village.  Importantly, the manager is responsible for assessing the performance of other department heads from the Police Chief to the Public Works Director.  Obviously, it is crucial to select the right person who will then act based on the expectations and standards imparted to him or her by the Board of Trustees.

Because of the important nature of the manager’s job, it must be performed by a person of integrity and competence—a person who possesses the ability to problem-solve and interact well with employees and constituents.  Currently, the Mayor and each member of the Board of Trustees executes a performance instrument wherein the manager is rated in several important categories as it relates to discharging his responsibilities in the village.  To ensure fairness and compliance with applicable laws, the village attorneys draft the performance instrument we use, after receiving critical input from the board.  

All Maywood employees, including the Village Manager, must be afforded due process to prosecute any grievances stemming from the workplace.  I insist on a workplace that is free from bias, hostility, and inappropriate behavior of any kind; and I encourage employees from every department to come forth and be heard without retribution.  My management style is predicated upon properly vetting job candidates, and hiring qualified people whose skill sets match the responsibilities set forth in the job description, and who take pride in their work.  I then let them do their jobs, without unwarranted interference.  I believe in putting forth a vision, setting clear cut measurable goals, and intervening only when clarification, more instruction, or remediation is needed.

8. What impact can a municipality such as Maywood have on climate change, and how will you prioritize that work among other issues?

Maywood can have a strong impact on climate change, and, under my administration, we are already implementing energy reform measures. Electrical systems play a big role in the infrastructure of towns, and under my administration, in 2016, Maywood became one of the first municipalities to receive “smart ready” light fixtures through a program with ComEd to lower our energy demand.  The new lights consume about one-third of the electricity versus traditional lighting.  We have also incorporated technology to make our municipal buildings more energy efficient, including installing sensors to turn off lights left on in empty rooms. 

We have made a lot of sewer and drainage infrastructure improvements in an effort to reduce some of the flooding that has plagued Maywood.  Also, we received Metropolitan Water Reclamation District grants, and used some TIF funds, to install green alleys that help reduce residential flooding. 

I have been paying attention to things like the two-mile area in Pilsen that has been called the “greenest street in America.”  It features sidewalks made from recycled materials, and technology that diverts storm water from sewers and bike and parking lanes made out of “smog eating” concrete.  We can certainly emulate that kind of activity, in addition to making the village more walkable and making our available green spaces more attractive.  And since buildings are responsible for 40% of greenhouse gas emissions in this country, when we undertake major projects like redeveloping the old Baptist Retirement Home, on Randolph between Third and Fourth Avenues, we must insist on contractors who commit to incorporating new technologies for better energy efficiency—including things like better use of solar energy, thermal insulation, and proper ventilation.

9. What do you see as the most pressing issue relating to housing in Maywood? What policies would you advocate to address this issue? Do you consider support for affordable housing to be a core function of our village government? Why or why not?

Decent housing is a human right, and it is disgraceful for anyone to be unsheltered in a society as sophisticated and wealthy as America; so, homelessness needs to be eradicated.  Yes, I consider support for affordable housing to be a function of village government, and to that end, for example, we just erected a building on 5th Avenue that will feature affordable housing, as well as ground level commercial retail space.  

Obviously, one of the biggest complaints in Maywood concerns the high homeowner and commercial property taxes.  This is not an easy problem to solve, but it begins with attracting more commercial activity to expand the tax base and ease the burden on homeowners and businesses already located in the village. We also need to put plans in place to place more vacant properties back on the tax rolls.  Too many houses in Maywood have fallen into disrepair because they are unoccupied.  I would also like to explore laws on the books, like the Community Reinvestment Act laws, that encourage banking and savings entities to work in better relationships with low and moderate-income potential homeowners and with community housing organizations that are set up to assist them. 

10. In recent months there have been calls in many communities to defund the police or reimagine public safety. How do you define public safety? Do you begin from the premise that increased policing is the most effective response to increased crime, or would you propose other solutions?  

Public safety encompasses an environment devoid of criminal activity, and of hazardous vehicular activity on our public streets.  It also entails a community that is free from home invasions and domestic abuse. 

The concept of public safety is deceptively complicated and must be addressed as such.  I am not in favor of more police; I am in favor of more strategic policing, for example, to put issues like mental illness matters in the hands of people who are experts in that area of social science and human difficulty.  I believe we must explore other ways to keep people safe and to ensure that problems in the community are not escalated to the point where they turn tragic.  

I believe we must look to the science to discern better ways of intervening, where appropriate, because several matters simply do not necessitate police intervention. I also believe we must insist on more humane responses in various situations. (No one should die because they are suspected of selling loose cigarettes, fail to execute a turn signal, etc.) There are so many other ways to proceed in areas that have traditionally fallen under policing. For example, does a police officer need to respond to a child who is insubordinate at school? Or to an adult with a mental impairment who is misbehaving at home? Or to an elderly constituent who isn’t being cooperative but is suffering from Alzheimer’s? If a backup unit is needed, perhaps, that unit should be a specialty unit with thorough training in law enforcement and relevant social sciences.

So, yes, I am in favor of proposing other solutions. I think it is quite apparent that policing needs to be reimagined for this 21st century.

11. What do you believe has caused the recent swell in carjackings in the surrounding area? Do you see an appropriate law enforcement response to this situation?

Like other municipalities in Cook County, we are concerned about this crisis of carjackings taking place, and we are doing everything we can to keep the public informed about ways to stay safe.  The research coming out suggests that the stunning rise in the number of carjackings in the Chicagoland area are heavily due to juveniles joyriding, and that they are “crimes of opportunity.”  Increased police patrol can be helpful, and, practically speaking, motorist vigilance is key, too.  Easy to follow safety measures include not sitting in your car to eat, talk on the phone or just idle on a nice day, because carjackers approach people who are not paying attention, who are pulled to the side of the road by themselves—or even where other cars are parked.  Also, carjackers are brazen—they operate at all times of day and night and in all kinds of places.  One lady in Chicago was carjacked getting out of her car to go into a public school at 1:00 in the afternoon!  So, it is crucial that people stay alert and be careful.  One can never underestimate thieves.  Members of the public must maintain vigilance at all times.

12. Maywood does not currently have a mechanism for civilian police oversight. Is this something you would change? If so, what specific structures would you favor?

The indefensible policing we have seen play out in urban areas (e.g. Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, etc.) has rightfully engendered calls for more police accountability, of which I am in favor.  Let me say, from the start, that, years ago, I instituted a policy wherein when there are adverse events in the village, I receive a communication from the police chief giving me preliminary information about the incident, because I am highly attuned to the need for policing that keeps the public safe, but that is also restrained, that exercises intelligent judgment, and that is humane.  

When one looks at the size of this town, the level of crime, and the incidence of police/civilian interaction, as well as the models for civilian oversight, whether Maywood actually needs a civilian police oversight committee is a debate to which I am open. I would like to open that debate up to the Maywood constituency. Meanwhile, I can readily envision an “auditor/monitor” model of civilian oversight wherein there is a focus on examining whether there are patterns to citizen complaints (to help with remediation), whether those complaints are being properly investigated internally, whether internal investigation findings appear to be reasonable and legitimate, and whether discipline is meted out in a manner that is proper and effective.

13. What do you see as the most pressing issues relating to development in Maywood, both residential and commercial? What policies would you advocate to address those issues? In which areas of Maywood would you prioritize residential and commercial development?

The most pressing issue has to do with working with developers to come up with a package that meets the needs of the constituents and the needs of the developer in terms of location, flow of traffic and visibility, fair property tax planning, proper marketing, and complete integration into the community.  We also need board members who have vision and who are knowledgeable about the needs of the community, as well as how to make business deals that are a win for the community and appealing to the business entity.  We need board members who can envision how to use open space and how to repurpose old, vacant commercial buildings. Regarding residential housing, we need to find ways to restore the abandoned ones back to the tax rolls before they slide into disrepair.

Commercial development should be prioritized on Madison Street, between Fifth and Ninth Avenues, on First Avenue and Lake Street, Fifth Avenue and Washington Blvd, on Roosevelt Road between First and Fifth Avenues and up and down St. Charles Road. The residential housing on 17th and Maywood Drive and on 17th between Madison and Warren should also be prioritized. The Old Baptist Retirement Home on Randolph between Third and Fourth Avenues should be a priority, too.

14. How would you evaluate the success of Maywood’s plans for Covid-19 mitigation at the Village? Do you feel the village has adequately protected its employees, and that there has been adequate transparency with respect to case tracking?  

Covid-19 represents a once in a century public health crisis, and as such, obviously, it has posed gravely serious problems.  Maywood acted swiftly to implement all the safety protocols as set forth by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and we undertook measures to ensure safety was a priority in village work spaces.  Since we did have some cases of Covid-19 at the village, in order to keep our residents and employees safe, we closed down areas where those cases occurred, conducted deep cleaning, implemented contact tracing protocols, and conducted village business online.  We followed the best practices set forth by the CDC, as well as the Illinois Department of Public Health, and we acted swiftly and decisively as more and more information became available from our county, state, and federal public health officials as this public health crisis was unfolding.  Early on, we partnered with community non-profits to give away masks, hand sanitizer, and informational flyers.  We also put information on the village website, social media, traditional media, public boards, and on flyers disseminated throughout the community, and issued stay home orders.  Currently, my administration is working hard to model a responsible response to the availability of the Covid-19 vaccines.  We want to ensure that every resident in the village has access to a vaccine option so they can get vaccinated.  That is an absolute priority.

15. How do you believe the Covid-19 pandemic has affected Maywood’s Village finances, and what policies do you favor going forward as part of the recovery? 

The Covid-19 pandemic has devastated our finances.  We are down about two million dollars in revenue; and this is especially so because we have, understandably and reasonably, had to relax our collection efforts in some areas like with water payment late fees and parking ticket collections.  However, we know that we will be receiving monies for municipalities struggling with lost revenue as a result of the pandemic through the Biden/Harris administration COVID-19 Relief Package and, with the right trustee board in place, we will be prudent and fiscally responsible with every single dime of that money to meet the enormous needs of our residents during this time of crisis.  We will also be aggressive in applying for other state, county, and township funding opportunities.

16. What values would you bring to the budgeting process? Do you have a plan for reforming the manner in which the Village conducts its budgeting and fiscal planning?
As has been noted often, budgets are, in fact, moral documents that reflect the values of a village. Hence, I want Maywood’s budget to prioritize items that are absolutely necessary for a good standard of living and that allow the board to remain fiscally responsible and sound. As someone who has served three terms as a trustee, and two terms as Mayor, I know that it is important to have the right people at the table.  When people who care about Maywood are in place, a different conversation occurs rather than bickering and showboating.  People who bring the same solid values to the board can come to a consensus and work out a sound budget, but when people are pulling in different directions, for their own purposes, that’s when it becomes tough, because the values that prioritize commitment to Maywood get drowned out.  That is why it is crucial that Maywoodians vote for me and my running mates.  We are a like-minded intergenerational group of public servants who love Maywood and who stand singular in purpose when it comes to elevating the standard of living in this village.

Currently, in Maywood, essentially, the Village Manager and Finance Director craft the budget, based on policy set forth by, and input from, the board.  Since members of every board have different professional backgrounds, I will move swiftly to compel professional development training for all board members regarding what factors go into high quality budgetary draftsmanship. I want everyone to have a good, comprehensive understanding of municipal budgets and finance, to go along with their other strengths and their strong desire to move Maywood forward.  

17. Property taxes in Maywood are among the highest in Illinois. What is your plan for confronting this burden? 

A recent 2020 study by the University of Chicago examined 2,600 US counties and found that, in more than 90 percent of them, there was a pattern of assessment unfairness, indicating longstanding institutional racism. This is so even though the median home value in predominantly Black neighborhoods is almost half the value of predominantly White and Hispanic neighborhoods, and even though homes in Black communities tend to be undervalued when they are appraised.  

In that regard, my office is constantly seeking sustained dialogue with the County Assessor about possible problems that may exist with valuations in Maywood and policies set by the county and state regarding assessment.  Since this involves historic, entrenched problems, perhaps Maywood can partner with other similarly situated municipalities and work to eradicate some of these systemic problems.  It appears to be a yeoman’s job, but we have to start somewhere.

We also recognize a need to work with banks that hold foreclosed mortgages to determine how we might negotiate for such homes, so we can work with non-profit organizations that specialize in helping first time homeowners purchase property in an effort to get them back on the tax rolls.  It does no good for the village to have vacant homes that are simply sliding into disrepair from neglect, in addition to constituting a nuisance on village blocks.  We have had to pay demolition fees to tear down houses that were falling apart, and we still have 10 homes left on the demolition list.  Maywood is known for its beautiful housing stock, so it makes more sense to try to clear these titles, save the houses and sell them (even if they are sold at a bargain prices) to get them occupied and back on the tax rolls.

18. How would you rate the Village’s lobbying and other political efforts to steer policy in Springfield? How can Maywood do better?

Considering the fact that the Senate Majority Leader is from Maywood and lives in Maywood, we, at least, have her attention regarding Maywood’s needs. Also, I am a member of the Illinois Municipal League, which is an association for municipalities where mayors work together to receive education (and educate each other), to advocate, and to empower our respective villages and towns.  As such, we band together to advocate for our identified collective needs in Springfield (and Washington, DC). So, for example, the league has been lobbying the state legislature, and participating in work groups, to ensure that the needs of Illinois municipalities are being addressed in the midst of this financially devastating pandemic. I am also a member of the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, and the West Cook Municipal Conference, which is a great resource for information pertaining to the wellbeing of municipalities.  

Other things we can do going forward, include arriving at a consensus, as a board, and determining what our most pressing state legislative needs are.  We can do this once we have that like-minded board completely dedicated to serving the village. (This is important, because, as Mayor, I only have one vote on any given issue affecting Maywood!) And since we do not have a budget for a lobbyist, we can select a board member to hold a portfolio that includes being a consistent conveyor of our needs down in Springfield when the legislature is in and out of session.  In the meantime, I will, as I already do, maintain consistent contact with our state elected representatives, including the governor, to hammer home what our needs are here in Maywood.

19. How will you engage the growing Latinx community in Maywood? What should the Village’s posture toward undocumented residents be?

We have a sizable Latinx population in Maywood, and I am committed to engaging them in the same way that I engage other constituencies in Maywood.  As Mayor, I represent every demographic in this village and every single resident of this village.  So, my commitment is to try to ensure that all constituents enjoy a high quality of life.  I insist on an open and equal access community in all things—from the proper flow of information to residents, to the provision of government services, and beyond.

We are already doing basic things like making sure our Maywood newsletter is printed in English and Spanish, putting Spanish language messaging on social media, making sure that entertainment/recreational events also cater to Hispanic culture (e.g. Maywood Festival entertainment acts, etc.), and utilizing Spanish speaking staff to assist with callers to the village, when necessary.  Regarding undocumented residents, I have no desire to police whether people are documented.  My desire is to treat everyone who resides in Maywood with humanity, dignity, and respect.  I hope the Biden/Harris administration works swiftly to push through innovative and practical legislation that is designed to implement humane, fair solutions that will address this longstanding issue.  Undocumented members of the Latinx community in Maywood, and all over the country, deserve to be able to “come out of the shadows” and continue contributing to our culture and economy without fear of retribution and with a commonsense pathway to citizenship.

20. What are your plans for addressing community concerns about water rates, including exorbitant shutoff fees and seemingly arbitrary charges some residents have been forced to pay?

It is important for Maywoodians to know that water costs have not increased in five years, nor have we had many water shutoffs because that necessitates paying a company a very costly fee, and frankly I am against shutting off water because it is necessary for habitable housing, sanitation, and hygiene.  

Under my administration, because Maywood’s infrastructure is so very old, we are doing everything we can, while being fiscally responsible, to improve it.  As such we have fixed and replaced several water mains.  We have also been quite diligent about: 1) assessing how we purchase water and what changes can be made regarding how our water is supplied (e.g. not coming through Melrose Park); and 2) making sure that water that is consumed is properly paid for by the consumer so that billing is fair.  We are on a constant crusade:  1) to identify who is getting water without paying for it (because they do not have water meters installed); 2) to have consumer meters read (for accuracy) as opposed to estimated (and consumers can read their own meters, to verify accuracy, if they think their bills are too high); and 3) to make sure every house and business in the village is paying its fairly produced water bill. Essentially, if the water runs through the meter, it is billed, so we are encouraging home and business owners to sweep through their homes and businesses to ensure that they do not have leaking faucets, running toilets, and other problems that will increase their monthly water bill.

21. Board meetings have become increasingly acrimonious in recent years. How would you work to restore decorum during meetings? Do you feel this is an important priority? Why or why not?

Of course, it is important for representatives of government to maintain decorum, civility, decency, and professionalism; and it is important to me that Maywood’s governing body function in a manner that inspires its constituents.  I think board members should spend more time discussing their vision for bettering, and constructively advancing, the village in dyads that do not offend open meetings laws; and I believe trustees should get to know each other better during shared learning experiences (e.g. at municipal conferences and association meetings, etc.), and during community events, as a means for promoting good rapport. I also believe that each trustee needs to accept responsibility for behaving in ways that respect the legislative process, their fellow trustees, and their constituents.

22. What opportunities do you see for the Village to collaborate productively with other local taxing bodies? What could hinder those efforts? How would you improve relations between the Village and the Park District, in particular?

Years ago, there was a referendum wherein the residents of Maywood called for unification of the parks.  For various legal reasons, that has not happened.  However, I am a strong proponent of the healthy mind, healthy body concept, and I believe that, developmentally, it is important for young people and folks all across the lifespan to have safe, clean, diverse, and meaningful recreational outlets.  So, I am prepared to do whatever it takes to foster a better relationship with the park district commissioners and employees so that we are in alignment about the fact that we have a responsibility to provide recreational outlets across this village for every age group including seniors.  As Mayor and with a newly constituted board, we will reach out and work more collaboratively with whoever sits on the park district board.  In the past, there have been personality conflicts, but we will not tolerate such trivialities.  We will do whatever it takes, including getting input from the residents about the functioning of the parks to make things work out in the best interest of the residents.

As a passionate advocate for a good education for all youth, as well as a proud District 89 and Proviso East graduate, it is extremely important to me that we work collaboratively with those entities.  As an alumna of Triton, the same holds true.  I am clear that a good education forms the foundation for our students to do well in life; and as Mayor, I have had a good working relationship with every single superintendent and Triton College president.  I have hosted the superintendents in the Maywood Council Chamber as a means of keeping residents abreast of what is going on in our schools and to learn how other stakeholders can get involved, too.  I have supported the schools in every way, and will continue to do so. The same is true of the library.  When it closed down, I rallied the community and did everything I could to get it re-opened. I want to do whatever I can to collaborate with every local taxing bodies.

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[The above answers were supplied on 3/29/21.]