My Views on Some Key Issues
Sustaining Our Fiscal Health
The Village’s top priority should be to provide quality municipal services at a reasonable cost while staying within our means. This will not be easy, because additional financial challenges loom on the horizon that will require tough revenue and expense decisions and fiscal fortitude. Nevertheless, and especially in a fragile economic environment, further property tax increases should be avoided if possible. In order to do so, Village management has to be empowered to creatively identify and implement additional ways to do more with less, and to tease further efficiencies from municipal operations. Personnel costs must be tightly controlled while appreciating and retaining talented employees. When determined to be unavoidable, we should plan ahead for any service reductions or eliminations and propose alternatives well in advance of implementation. Of course, important capital and infrastructure (such as our streets, sidewalks and stormwater assets) are of critical importance to the community and must be reasonably maintained. Also key to our current and future fiscal health is the proactive and prudent support of economic development efforts. As I have often said, we should first seek to increase our tax base, not our tax rate. In short, we should cut where we can, but invest where we must.
Continuing to Pursue Bold Innovation
The Greek philosopher Plato once remarked that “necessity is the mother of invention.” Because we have infinite needs and only finite resources, we must constantly innovate in how principal needs are met and services are delivered. It is important that our leaders are able to think out of the box and strive to identify creative solutions to difficult problems. Austerity measures are not enough, we must also fairly and courageously explore ways of doing things as never before. In my prior term of public service, I proposed a number of new ideas and solutions that gained the support of my colleagues and the community. As mayor, I will work hard to do so again.
Prudently Planning for the Future
While
intently focusing on the pressing needs of today, we must also look to
the future of our community in order to lay the groundwork for continued
success. For this, long term vision and planning is essential. We
must proactively plan for and effectively address infrastructure needs.
Also, we should be ready for when the economy improves and be prepared
to capitalize upon it.
Uniting in the Success of Our Community
The Village Council reflects the passionate and vocal diversity of our community and robust dialog and differences of opinion on significant issues are both healthy and to be expected. However, collaboration among the Village council, Village Staff and public and private stakeholders is more critical now than ever. As a community and an elected body, we must unite in confronting the obstacles to our success. I will strive to build consensus for decisions that are the result of a process all can respect if not support.
Enhancing Open and Inclusive Local Governance
It has been said that politics is the art of drawing people in, not shutting them out. Open and inclusive decision making is an important part of that process. The best decisions are those that are derived from careful research, solicitation of stakeholder input, fair and thoughtful consideration, and demonstrable justification. Elected officials should talk with their constituents, not talk at them. Developing technology offers ever-changing methods of communication and participation by constituents.