Christopher Goodsnyder: Candidate For Deerfield Trustee

DEERFIELD, IL — Ahead of the April 4 consolidated municipal elections, Deerfield Patch provided questionnaires to all candidates on the ballot.

Three seats on the Deerfield Village Board will be up for grabs on Election Day. Four candidates will be on the ballot for a four-year seat, according to Deerfield Deputy Village Clerk Daniel Van Dusen.

The current terms of trustees Larry Berg, Elaine Jacoby and Bill Seiden all end in April. The three are seeking reelection as part of the Deerfield Village Caucus 2023 slate. The trio will be challenged for the spots by independent Christopher M. Goodsnyder.

Patch is publishing all responses submitted by candidates verbatim.

Christopher Goodsnyder

Age (as of Election Day)

54

Town/City of Residence

Deerfield

Office Sought

Village trustee

Party Affiliation

N/A

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

My wife is a school teacher in Northbrook School District 28 and my daughter is a school teacher in North Shore School District 112.

Education

Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a Juris Doctorate from DePaul College of Law

Occupation

Attorney licensed to practice law in Illinois since 1993.

Campaign website

N/A

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

N/A

The most pressing issues facing our (board, district, etc.) are _______, and this is what I intend to do about them.

I believe the top priorities facing the board is how best to attract high quality commercial, retail and corporate development to Deerfield, while also valuing the needs and desires of the residents to maintain the perfect balance between being a vibrant, safe, and community centered North Shore suburb.

I plan to support the village's professional staff, chamber of commerce, real estate developers, and other stake holders to keep and attract businesses from small to large to Deerfield.

We recently added solar panels, and purchased an electric car with a home charging station, and could not be happier with those personal choices to be more sustainable.

I also believe that the Village of Deerfield needs to model best practices to ameliorate the impacts of climate charge. This will include upgrading the infrastructure to withstand the impacts of more extreme weather, while also making the rendering of public services more sustainable, as well as encouraging residents to do the same, through the use of greener technology and practices.

With a community comprised of thoughtful, engaged, and civic-oriented residents, Deerfield will be positioned well for future success.

I plan to continue my advocacy for Deerfield to adopt more sustainable practices, including using various incentives to encourage the 18,000 residents of Deerfield to adopt more sustainable practices in their own homes.

I have requested the board implement incentives akin to the village's cost sharing facade program to encourage residents to add solar panels, home charging stations, and electric/hybrid vehicles by reducing the upfront costs of such green technology.

In 2021, when the police department requested approximately $200,000 to purchase four new patrol vehicles, I provided members of the village board with information about Ford's hybrid police SUV patrol vehicles. The village board opted to purchase four traditional gas models. Recently, the village has adopted a report from a sustainability committee recommending, among other suggestions, to purchase hybrid vehicles for the village's fleet.

I have also requested the board modify the TIF redevelopment plan to include a specific priority for retail uses, which generate sales tax revenue for Deerfield and facilitate the "shop local" program initiated by the village.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

All of the current members of the Deerfield Village Board were either appointed by the mayor or ran as a slate with the mayor. The vast majority of items approved by the board pass without dissent typically on a 6-0 basis.

If elected, I will bring a fresh and independent perspective to the board.

I will be prepared to bring my education, training and experience as an attorney with nearly 30 years in private practice to consider the matters that come before the board with the same level of diligence, objectivity, and compassion.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)?

I believe the board has not been receptive enough to the views of the village residents when it comes to redevelop projects to better balance the unique attributes of Deerfield as a quiet, safe, and family-oriented community against the profit-driven goals of developers.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

I believe that Deerfield has incredibly engaged, talented, and well-educated residents. I know that the village would benefit from the fresh ideas that people with diverse personal and professional backgrounds could bring to the board through a more frequent turn-over of the trustee positions. If elected, one of my first actions would be to move for term limits for both trustees and the mayor of no more than two terms in office.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I have been an attorney licensed to practice law in Illinois for nearly 30 years. I concentrate my practice in civil litigation.

I have successfully tried cases in both state and federal court and have won appeals before the Illinois appellate and supreme courts.

I am very analytical and detail-oriented. I work well with my clients and colleagues to bring about successful outcomes.

I am able to ask pointed questions, while still being respectful of everyone's point of view.

My wife and I have raised two thoughtful, generous, and socially conscious children who attended Deerfield schools from kindergarten through high school graduation.

I have devoted nearly 20 combined years of service to local civic organizations, including the Deerfield Park Foundation, District 109 School Board Caucus, Deerfield High School Athletic Booster Club, Mitchell Park (Re-naming) Advisory Committee, and Deerfield AYSO. Through my service I have gained an even stronger connection to the schools, parks, residents and the greater Deerfield community.

Why should voters trust you?

I have been an attorney for nearly thirty years. I have maintained a reputation among clients, colleagues, opposing counsel, and judges for being fair, reasonable, and a person of integrity throughout my entire career.

I have also been a member of numerous Deerfield based civic organization boards. I believe that the people I have served with would say that am respectful, receptive to differing points of view, and a person who honors their commitments.

I believe my friends and neighbors would share their confidence in my reliability, kindness and frankness.

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office as a success?

I believe that helping to bring positive development to Deerfield, while balancing the need to put quality of life of Deerfield residents at the front and center of every discussion would be a great accomplishment. I also believe continuing to improve the infrastructure, while being fiscally responsible is vital.

I would also like to see the "per square foot" price of homes in Deerfield rise to the level of surrounding towns, which would be a good indication that Deerfield is being recognized for the wonderful balance of excellent schools, inviting parks, low crime, and strong civic engagement that makes Deerfield a great place to live, shop, and work.

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the handling of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking?

I believe that investing in infrastructure is actually being fiscally conservative. The alternative approach of deferring needed maintenance is often much more expensive in the long run. It also tends to impact our residents a critical times, such as heavy rains and deep freezes. Having quality infrastructure and services also attracts businesses and new residents to Deerfield, which in turn will improve the stability of village finances and increase property values by making Deerfield the best community for families.

Do you support the Illinois assault weapons ban, and would you support a local assault weapons ban in this community?

The Illinois Appellate Court's 2-1 decision in Easterday v. Deerfield, 2020 IL App (2d) 190879, resolved the issues surrounding the validity of Deerfield's 2018 assault weapons ban ordinance. Recently, the State of Illinois has banned the sale of assault weapons across Illinois. Therefore, the topic is no longer a local matter.

As the husband, father and brother of three elementary school teachers, and the uncle of a survivor of the Sandy Hook mass shooting, I am in full support of laws that will keep all types of guns out of the hands of criminals and mentally ill people.

I also believe that the friends and family members of people who pose a threat to themselves or others owe our communities the duty to act at the earliest stage possible through the use of "red flag" laws, when the warning signs are present. This is the most effective way to prevent future tragedies by removing guns from unstable people before they act.

Do you support Black Lives Matter, and do you think the current board has done enough to support racial equality? If not, what specifically should be done to do so?

I am in favor of police accountability when they use excessive force. I acknowledge that there is a long standing history of racial profiling and disparate treatment of people of color in policing. I believe that training our police officers in current best-practices to avoid racial profiling and to employ de-escalation techniques is the best way to avoid having one of these tragic events occur in Deerfield.

Unfortunately, I believe that the Black Lives Matter movement has been coopted by other causes that distract from the initial focus of Black Lives Matter on preventing disparate treatment of people of color by police officers.

I believe that attracting a diverse work force for both public and private sector employers in Deerfield is the best way of addressing racial equality through affording everyone the opportunity to achieve their full potential.

Through my role on the Mitchell Park (Renaming) Committee, I suggested Deerfield create a sister-city relationship with another Chicagoland community that lacks our community's financial resources. I do not believe any action was taken by the Board to act on my proposal.

I believe that economic status and racial inequities are too often mistakenly used interchangeably. I believe that affording everyone a high-quality education, while removing legal and cultural barriers to maximize each individual's opportunities is the most effective way to ensure everyone lives up to their true potential.

I would also favor using stipends or other compensation-based incentives to help entry level village employees relocate to Deerfield. They would be wonderful additions to our community.

Do you support the SAFE-T Act? Why or why not?

Although not a local issue that will come before the Deerfield Village Board, I believe that judge's should apply the laws, including the setting of bail, on a racially-neutral basis. I do believe that judge's need to have the ability to set bail in an appropriate amount to reflect the severity of the crime and the risk to the community. Hopefully, the Illinois legislature will better address these concerns as they revisit the law.

What are your thoughts on the crime rate in your community, and what more can be done to combat crime — especially violent crime — in town?

I believe that Deerfield is a very safe community in general. However, I believe that domestic violence is still present in our community. I believe the social services provided through the Deerfield Police Department and numerous other area non-profit organizations are doing a good job supporting victims, but there is always more that can be done.

I also favor residents taking responsibility for the safety of their own neighborhoods through community watch programs and reporting suspicious activity. This will help deter criminal activity in Deerfield. Residents should take preventative measures such as locking doors and windows and not leaving keys in unlocked vehicles. The village should continue to educate residents on these safety practices and precautions.

What is your view of the city's/village's approach to commercial and residential development?

I believe that helping to bring positive development to Deerfield, while balancing the need to put the quality of life of Deerfield residents front and center in every discussion would be a great accomplishment.

I also believe continuing to improve the infrastructure, while being fiscally responsible is vital.

I would also like to see the "per square foot" price of homes in Deerfield rise to the level of surrounding towns, which would be a good indication that Deerfield is being recognized for the wonderful balance of excellent schools, inviting parks, low crime, and strong civic engagement that makes Deerfield a great place to live, shop, and work.

I believe the top priorities are attracting high quality commercial, retail and corporate development to Deerfield, while also valuing the needs and desires of the residents to maintain the perfect balance between being a vibrant, safe, and community-centered North Shore suburb.

I plan to support the village's professional staff, chamber of commerce, real estate developers, and other stake holders to keep and attract businesses of all sizes to Deerfield.

I also favor efforts to make downtown Deerfield a destination for local residents, as well as residents of neighboring communities, which is vital to the village's long-term vitality.

I favor efforts to draw new businesses, large and small, to Deerfield. Deerfield should continue to be a community that welcomes world-class companies to maintain their headquarters here.

When it comes to development, what are some key areas for improvement or additions you feel are most wanted by residents? What will need to be done to make this happen?

I believe that making downtown Deerfield more pedestrian friendly is vital to the success of the area. This is a trait common to our North Shore neighbors, but lacking in Deerfield.

I believe that a better mixture of shops, restaurants, retail, offices, and services is the recipe for a successful suburban downtown.

I believe that helping to bring positive development to Deerfield, while balancing the need to put the quality of life of Deerfield residents front and center in every discussion would be a great accomplishment.

I believe the top priorities are attracting high quality commercial, retail and corporate development to Deerfield, while also valuing the needs and desires of the residents to maintain the perfect balance between being a vibrant, safe, and community-centered North Shore suburb.

I plan to support the village's professional staff, chamber of commerce, real estate developers, and other stake holders to keep and attract businesses of all sizes to Deerfield.

I also favor efforts to make downtown Deerfield a destination for local residents, as well as residents of neighboring communities, which is vital to the village's long-term vitality.

I favor efforts to draw new businesses, large and small, to Deerfield. Deerfield should continue to be a community that welcomes world-class companies to maintain their headquarters here.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family?

If I have the honor of being elected to the Deerfield Village Board of Trustees, there is no reason that would prevent me from fulfilling my full four year term.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

The best advice I ever received was to let your word be your bond and to treat others how you would like to be treated yourself.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

My greatest achievements are as a loving husband and father. I recognize that everyone simply wants to raise their families in a safe and welcoming community, and I am a fully committed to doing everything in my power to help Deerfield continue to be such a place.