Note: Information in candidate profiles was submitted by the candidate.
Office: Homewood Board of Trustees, two-year term
Education: M.B.A. , Roosevelt University, Chicago; B.A. – Speech Comm, University of
Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
Employment history: After working in corporate finance for nearly 30 years, I shifted gears with my current position as the financial administrator for the Center of Performing Arts at Governors State University in nearby University Park. I also co-own The Rock Shop, a book/record store in downtown Homewood.
Previous service: While this is my first foray into the public sector (board of townhome directors was the closest I came, formerly).
Most important issues: Government transparency, local environmental issues, term limits for elected positions and support for local businesses, specifically downtown Homewood parking. Previously cited studies seemed to assure an increase in residential density would spur the downtown small-business economy; anecdotal evidence seems to indicate those businesses are currently suffering, daily, from lack of available parking. An additional apartment complex, projected to be constructed in the current village hall parking lot, would further exacerbate the situation. As a private citizen, I think we, as a village, need more walkable downtown parking, not less.
Top goals: The utter instability of the national political stage inspired me to dig deeper local roots. While both former expats, my partner and I graduated from Homewood-Flossmoor High School; we’re now also small business owners here and permanently vested in this community. Personally and professionally, my only priority is Homewood.
I’m only running for this position because as a resident who also now owns a small business in town, it appears many voices are not being heard. It occurred to me, if I’m not involved, I shouldn’t complain. Why we can’t have better parking, or term limits, or an ensured ecology for our local nature preserve? I’m sure the answers to these issues are complicated; however, if I hope for informed citizenry, we all must start informing ourselves by getting involved. We used to be able to rely on the press. We need to rely on ourselves.
