Election 2013: Patricia Haugeberg for First Ward Alderman of Des Plaines

The following information was provided by First Ward Alderman Patricia Haugeberg. Patch provides a platform for candidates to share their messages, and does not give endorsements. To share your message with readers for free, add it to the Local Voices section on Des Plaines Patch.

Name: Patricia Haugeberg

Position sought: First Ward Alderman of Des Plaines

Campaign contact information. Please include any or all of the following: website, email address, phone number, Facebook page, Twitter account, mailing address, etc.

N/A

Age: 63

Family Include as much info as you like (names, ages, number of children, etc.):

Daughters: Shelli (Steve) & Donia (Peter – U.S. Army)

Grandchildren: Hunter, Dylan and Maddison

Granddog: Ziggy

Grandcats: Bella & Eggbert

Education Include degree(s) and school(s):

Maine West High School, Harper College and Oakton Community College

Occupation: Sales

Political Party: This is a non-partisan election (political parties should not be involved in local elections).

Official name of your campaign committee (if you have one):

Previous Elected or Appointed Offices:

Currently First Ward Alderman and Park District Commissioner (1989-1999).

Is there any additional experience you believe qualifies you for the position?

Private sector business management and served on Condominium Association Board of Mangers for over 12 years.

What would your priorities be if elected to this office?

To continue completing the projects scheduled for downtown, bring farmers market to downtown, new business development throughout the city along with flood mitigation. 

What are the most important issues facing Des Plaines and what would you do as Alderman to address them?

Attracting additional businesses to the entire City of Des Plaines, to guarantee that the casino revenue is used wisely and in a manner that will benefit the residents of Des Plaines and to continue flood prevention measures.

What is one of the most important issues facing residents in your ward, and what would you do, if elected, to address it?

The First Ward has a variety of issues due to its diversity and I would continue to work with staff to addresses the various issues of flooding, attracting businesses, plus giving residents some tax relief.

How do you believe gaming tax revenue collected by Des Plaines should be spent? What should it be spent on?

Not only should it be spent on infrastructure which will benefit all residents and to give relief to the residents of Des Plaines with the bills they receive for services and water. I would like to add additional funds and remove the storm sewer charge from water bills.

There have been a number of proposals to expand gaming in Illinois. If elected, what would you do to protect Des Plaines’ interests with respect to gaming?

The current license will become null and void if additional gaming is permitted. If that does not happen the only alternative would be for the city to look at taking legal action.

The city has $58.3 million in debt in the capital improvements fund, the tax increment financing funds and the water and sewer fund. Approximately $4.4 million in the capital improvements fund will become callable in 2013. If elected, would you support refinancing this debt or paying it off immediately, and why?

I think a mixture of the two would be the best choice, I would like to see the total dollar amount in the fund paid down significantly.

Downtown Des Plaines has a low occupancy rate in the retail spaces in the Metropolitan Square development. If you are elected Alderman, what would you do to address this?

The new owners are working very well with interested parties.  Formers owners rarely returned phone calls.

The Des Plaines Police Department is involved with a number of lawsuits, including, most recently, accusations that a former commander falsified records. If elected Alderman, what would you do to address the litigation? What would you do to gain the public’s trust in the Des Plaines Police Department?

This issue is already going through the legal process. We have a great police chief that is handling the issues. As an alderman and even mayor we are the legislative branch of government.

Why would you do a better job representing Des Plaines than your opponent?

My experience speaks for itself.

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