Robert Benton: Candidate For Deerfield Trustee

DEERFIELD, IL — Ahead of the April 6 consolidated municipal elections, Deerfield Patch provided questionnaires to all candidates on the ballot.

Four candidates are vying for three four-year trustee seats on the Deerfield Village Board on Election Day. They include two incumbents (Robert Benton and Mary Oppenheim) and two challengers (Christopher M. Goodsnyder and Rebekah Metts-Childers).

Current trustees Barbara Struthers and Dan Shapiro are not running for reelection. Shapiro is running unopposed for mayor with Harriet Rosenthal not seeking a fourth term.

Deerfield Patch is publishing all responses submitted by candidates verbatim.

Robert (Bob) Benton

Age (as of Election Day)

82

Town/City of Residence

Deerfield

Office Sought

Village board or city council

Party Affiliation (if a partisan race)

Deerfield Caucus Party (non-political)

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

A.A., Menlo College, 1958, B.A., Rutgers University, 1960, M.B.A., Kellogg School of Business, Northwestern University, 1962

Occupation

Distribution Analyst, Monsanto Company, 1962-1965, Sales and Marketing, Grignon Studios, 1965-1968, Marketing Department, Burlington Railroad, 1968-1972, Economic and Cost Control Department, Rock Island Railroad, 1972-1975, Industrial Development and Marketing Departments, Chicago and Northwestern Railroad, 1975- 1980, Commercial Representative, Government of Ontario, Canada (in Chicago), 1980-2000, Publisher, Travel Today Magazine, 2000-2005.

Campaign website

Shapiro & Associates Law

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Chair, Ad-hoc Transportation Committee, Village of Deerfield, Trustee, North Suburban Mass Transit District, Village of Deerfield (including terms as Committee Chairs and District Chairman, Commissioner and Chairman, Deerfield Plan Commission, Village Trustee, Deerfield, including serving as Board liaison to the Cable and Telecommunications Committee and participating in the project to revise and update the housing construction ordinances and rules (known as the "Teardown Task Force") during its three year life.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Maintaining the Village's economy and progress through the years to the satisfaction and approval of residents and businesses. We must continue to provide a variety of housing for our residents, including young families, opportunities for participation in Village activities, apartments and single family residences, and retirement locations to allow seniors to remain in the community. We also must continue to attract retail business that prove excellent services to residents as well as generating sales taxes and other income to support the Village's services. Maintaining the excellent quality of our schools earned over the years is also of primary importance. Our policies in the past have provided financial stability and earned a top bond rating for the Village and give a goal to continue to achieve.

Do you support Black Lives Matter and what are your thoughts on the demonstrations held since the death of George Floyd and the shooting of Jacob Blake?

I support the Black Lives Matter campaign, as well as the All Lives Matter efforts. All of our residents, business owners and employees, office workers and others are equally important and should be treated as such. Demonstrations in favor of viewpoints have been and should continue to be planned, peaceful and open, as they have in the past.

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

Yes, I believe our community has carefully maintained racial, religious and other minorities and views equally under the law, and I pledge to continue it.

What are your thoughts on the national and local coronavirus response? Do you favor measures such as limiting operation of non-essential businesses and restricting indoor/outdoor dining? And do you favor a local mask mandate?

We have been scrupulous to carefully follow the rules as set up by the State of Illinois and have limited operations as prescribed, as well as rules for masks and restricted dining. I will work to maintain that atmosphere, and to reduce the restrictions as allowed, but as noted above, we have worked to reduce the financial harm as much as possible.

What are your thoughts on the state and local coronavirus vaccine distribution, and how do you think local governments should work together to handle vaccine rollout?

Overall, I had hoped that the plans of the State and County would be fair and equitable. Through no fault of those agencies, things have not gone as planned, but we as a community have reached out to work together with those agencies as well as the Township and it is my hope we can continue to attempt that.

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

We are a slate, each of whom has experience and vision and share in the above goals and achievements.

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

We bring experience tested over the years in commissions and Village Board service. I have served three four-year terms on the Village Board.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

Working amiably and cooperatively with the Village administration, including police, finance and other departments, as well as the Park District, Library, Districts 109 and 113 (elementary schools and high school respectively), Fire Protection District and West Deerfield Township and Lake County.

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

I have designed and brought to the community the Deerfield Dial-Ride bus service years ago, which the Regional Transportation Agency labelled the most unique and creative service they had seen. During my service on the North Suburban Mass Transit District, I was able to participate in many important projects, such as the creation of the Lake Cook Road Metra station, the rebuilding of the Deerfield train station, and the third track service into Chicago Union Station. I now serve as the Deerfield representative on the Transportation Committee of the Northwest Municipal Conference.

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

Continuing the well-respected and highly regarded accomplishments of the Village both inside and outside of the Village.

Why should voters trust you?

I have served the Village of Deerfield in many different capacities for over forty years, and have been personally responsive to citizens, business owners and employees and retirees throughout those years and positions,

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

Our status as top-rated financial status in bond rating, being secure in our employee pension programs, and balanced budgets demonstrate the success of past and present Village governments. The financial problems caused by the recent pandemic and the Village's efforts to ease the burden on restaurants and other businesses are examples of the concern and actions to maintain their fiscal conditions. We have also worked assiduously to hold property taxes at a consistently low level for those budgets that the Village controls.

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

No

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Watching and learning from those leaders who preceded me, and the individuals under whom I served and observing their techniques, and thinking and considering before proposing. Speaking with constituents and measuring opinions against facts and needs and reaching compromises when necessary

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

I stand on my experience and my views, which hopefully are known by colleagues and residents. I always remain open to talking with them and sharing my views while considering theirs.