Tim Doron: Candidate For Glenview Trustee

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

Six candidates are vying for four four-year trustee seats on the Glenview Village Board on Election Day. They are Paul Brancky, Gina DeBoni, Tim Doron, Sheri Latash, Adam Sidoti and Cathy Wilson. Current trustees John Hinkamp, Karim Khoja, Mike Jenny and Deborah Karton are not running for reelection. Jenny is running unopposed for Village President with current President Jim Patterson also choosing not to run for reelection.

DeBoni, Doron and Sidoti are running on behalf of the Unite Glenview party. Brancky, Latash and Wilson are running on behalf of the Glenview Next party.

Glenview Patch is publishing all responses submitted by candidates verbatim.

Tim Doron

Age (as of Election Day)

72

Town/City of Residence

GLENVIEW

Office Sought

Village board or city council

Party Affiliation (if a partisan race)

Unite Glenview

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

Master of Public Administration MPA, B.A. Political Science/Urban Studies

Occupation

Traffic consultant 29 years

Campaign website

www.uniteglenview.org

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Niles Township Trustee -1981

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

Effective communications with the public. Complex issues like affordable housing, consolidation of fire station operations, large scale development's impacting the quality of life in our neighborhoods, are quite often data intense and quite frankly busy residents don't always have the time nor opportunity to weed though all of the data. We need to devise a method to distill essential facts, synthesize the data and issues in a more reader friendly format and use emoting platforms to more effectively communicate. If residents wish to delve further they can then do so.- with easily accessible portals

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?

Events of this past summer and the demonstrations that followed were both shocking and concerning. We need to constantly reevaluate our positions on social and racial equality. As a parent we make sure that we have these discussions at home on a consistent basis and it is imperative to us to set the example. As Trustees of our community we need to ensure that we are fostering an environment that makes our community a welcome place for all our residents regardless of race, ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation. That is what makes Glenview the special place that it always has been and will continue to be in the future.

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

Its not a one time thing. We need to continuously ask ourselves if we are doing enough to foster a policy of equality. The village has promoted a spirit and policy to ensure non- discriminatory hiring practices. However consistent and vigilant review is needed at the staff level and Board level periodically to ensure compliance and strict conformance with the letter of the law and the spirit of our community.

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?

Number one is strict adherence to CDC guidelines. Masks should be required in all public places. Village support for local efforts in testing and vaccine distribution are essential. I applaud the Village for its recent Covid relief efforts for small businesses and restaurants.

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?

One of the things apparent to me is the need for all levels of government to work together in a coordinated effort. Additionally special consideration to our first responders (Village employees and others) is really a critical issue. They need to know that we are with them.
Support for local business that are distributors of vaccine or testing sites should be a prime objective.

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

Experience tempered with a valuable knowledge of traffic, land use planning and how governments work. This is what I do for a living. I provide analyses of land uses and traffic related impacts. I testify to village boards and commissions. I interact with residents and listen to their concerns. Additionally as the former Chairman of the Glenview Plan Commission, The Glen Redevelopment Commission, and the Downtown Glenview Plan Commission, I have learned to patiently absorb large amounts of information and public input and work towards realistic consensus.

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

I wouldn't use the term "failure". We have to remain cognizant of the fact that all of these people are volunteers and community members who I assume are trying to do a good job for no other reason than they love Glenview and want to ensure its success. They are truly volunteers. I have had some strong disagreements with them in the past and congratulate them on other things. Two major issues that I take partial exception with are the Hart development whereby I feel that the site plan is over-built and resulting traffic will be a huge burden on the community around it. I applaud them for the use of Permanent Fund monies to buy down density at the Bess Hardware site but I would have gone a bit further to provide more public space in the front of the development.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

1. A redesigned and more user friendly communications instrument that distills complex Village issues into a simpler format while still using the digital and print platforms currently available. this would make it easier for citizens to quickly grasp the fundamentals and giving them the opportunity to research further if desired.
2. Clearly identify a person (staff or other) whose job it would be to recruit and retain downtown businesses filling vacancies and persuading absentee landlords to clean up and fix up their buildings. Along with is I would recommend use of funds (Permanent Fund a possibility) to greatly enhance the facades of building striking a more uniform identity to our downtown.
3. Make our Village owned and operated vehicles more eco-friendly. I would study the possibilities of fuels that greatly reduce carbon emissions for our owned vehicles.
4. Retain our triple A bond rating and continue to wisely distribute our tax dollars using a diversity of revenue sources with a continued non-reliance on property taxes.

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

I was the Executive Director and General Manger of a reginal public transit system for eight years learning the system of fund accounting and use of public funds. I was Chairman of the Glenview Plan Commission for eight years - serving for nine. I was the Chairman of the Glen Redevelopment Commission and Chairman of the first Downtown Plan Commission. Additionally I am a traffic consultant and urban planner and understand the impacts and delicate balance of developments and traffic to a community - both positive and negative

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

Enhanced communications and input as previously described. A successful rebranding of the downtown and robust commercial activity there. Continued financial strength of the Village. Protection of our distinct neighborhoods that includes prohibiting development proximate or nearby that would be in any way detrimental to their quality of life. A robust discussion and vetting all of the issues pertaining to affordable housing.

Why should voters trust you?

I have resided in Glenview (same house) for 35 years. My children went to District 34 and 225 schools. We are active members of Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish. I have many friends and neighbors in the community. My daughter and her three children moved back here. We have deep roots here and love this town. One of the most rewarding things about this campaign was the number of my friends and associates who have reached out to help me get elected.

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

Retention of our triple A bond rating and continue to wisely distribute our tax dollars using a diversity of revenue sources with a continued non-reliance on property taxes. As a former chief executive of a public entity I appreciate and understand the responsibility of fiscal stewardship and being able to properly plan for the future. Our spending has to coincide with well planned and projected revenues and employ efficiencies as possible while providing core services.

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:

We will learn something new every day. Be honest, brief and kind for a happy life.

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

I'm dedicated, communicative and hard working. My experience will be an asset to the community. I will definitely be collaborative and listen to people whether we agree, or disagree, we are all neighbors and need to respect each other.