People Before Politics Party

• We need to STOP whatever the VIP/UNITED PARTY has been doing with deficit spending and debt growth.  Also, the VIP/United Party has done nothing to increase our commercial and retail tax base.  For decades they relied only on the Mall; and that’s what got us into trouble.  A more comprehensive and professional approach is required.  I also think one of the most important steps to take is obviously to bid out contracts.  We need to economize and ensure competitive bids help to ensure we give taxpayers the best buy for their dollar.   Also, in the future I think all employee contracts need to go on a year to year to basis until we see how the economy reacts to the pandemic.

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• North Riverside needs an active and involved chamber of commerce to work with the Village.  I am open to all and any ideas that will help the village to diversify the tax base and the commercial landscape. The village can work in cooperation with each property owner for redevelopment. Although I am in favor of providing incentives to businesses we must not get carried away and give outrageous incentives like 50% of sales tax the next 20 years. Harlem and Cermak is one of the busiest intersections in the state and most businesses would have no problem thriving there. So I am against the deal the VIP/United Party put together for Zieglar Ford.

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• Property taxes will stay low due to the fact that we are a non-home rule village (limiting tax increases). Residents should not have to pay more to fund pensions. The mismanagement of money by the VIP/ United Party has put us in this situation.  We will have to economize and find ways to tackle the debt.  We will not deficit spend like the VIP.  One thing is for sure, People Before Politics will not hide from the VIP disaster.  Once they are gone, we will work toward long range solutions with professional financial management.

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• I see the debt as the most important issue North Riverside faces. The debt can be addressed by bidding out contracts and looking closely at every expense the village has which includes all paid employees. I know that is what people don’t want to hear but the village hired multiple people to work during this pandemic. So, while businesses around town were shut down and the village was losing income from it, the VIP/United Party administration went ahead and hired employees instead of waiting. Another issue people don’t want to hear about, as I mentioned, is all employee contracts this year need to be on one-year deals until we see how the economy is doing.