Four of five candidates vying for seats on the Homewood Board of Trustees participated in a forum March 13 sponsored by the Homewood-Flossmoor Area League of Women Voters.
Challenger and former trustee Anne Colton and incumbents Cherise “Cece” Belue, Jay Heiferman and Julie Willis fielded 13 questions from voters and from LWV members at Homewood Public Library. Incumbent Lisa Purcell, who is unchallenged for a two-year seat, did not participate.
Questions covered a range of issues, but the Calumet Country Club redevelopment controversy and the Wind Creek Casino, currently under construction near the junction of Interstate 80/294 and Halsted Street, were the topics voters turned to most often.
Introductions
What is one good idea you have to better the community that no one else is talking about?
What is your position on the extensive fund balance in the general fund?
Traffic around schools at pickup and dropoff is dangerous for all. What can the village do to improve this situation?
If the Pace Car solution to speeders on 183rd Street is not effective, what suggestions do you have to address the problem?
Tell us about a time you disagreed with the mayor and acted on it.
Where do each of the candidates stand with respect to funding of Homewood police officers? Some cities have so many police programs that response times are negatively impacted.
What is the most serious issue your community will face in the coming years and how should the village board respond to it?
What do you see as the possible effects the new casino will have on Homewood?
If you received a $2 million grant to use for Homewood any way you want, what would you do with it and why?
In regards to the trucking facility, what impact will this have on Homewood, both good and bad?
Do you support a performance budget, and how would that impact local telecommunications tax and the places of eating tax?
How should vacancies on the village board be filled?
Regarding the pending development of the Calumet Country Club, what should the village do to defend its drainage easement rights on the property and to minimize truck traffic through Homewood?