Ruben Pazmino, Homer Glen Village Trustee Candidate

HOMER GLEN, IL — Ruben Pazmino is a candidate for Village of Homer Glen Trustee. There are six candidates running for three open positions in this race.

The consolidated election is April 4.

You can find Pazmino's answers to the Patch candidate questionnaire below:

Your Name:

Ruben L Pazmino

Age (as of Election Day):

45

Town/City of Residence:

Homer Glen

Office sought:

Village Board

Party Affiliation (if a partisan race):

N/A

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education:

Morgan Park Academy / Northeastern Illinois University

Occupation:

Owner Operator Rubi Agave , Inc. (10 Years) / Homer Glen Village Trustee (almost 4 Years)

Campaign Website or Facebook:

www.homerforward.com

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office:

2019-2023 Elected Homer Glen Village Trustee / Elected 2022 Committeeman Pct 12

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

Local taxes, and the turnover of our business community, and the lack of new businesses investing in Homer Glen. We need new businesses in our commercial corridors, in order to secure the financial sustainability of the Village and its ongoing operations. Additionally, there has been a lack of investment in new infrastructure. These issues together are the most pressing major issues. I cannot put one before the other in terms of “most important.” I also think that our town needs more dedicated housing for our seniors. We need a Town Center, which can help Homer Glen find its identity as well as booster the local economy. Slow, calculated growth, is key to our village in order to maintain our "rural-esque" charm. The aforementioned issues tie into each other for the sustainable progress of our wonderful village. Bringing in more businesses will not only accommodate our residents’ needs, but it will also generate more sales tax revenue. This in turn will allow us to keep our local property tax burden at a minimum, and ideally, perhaps even abolish it. Currently, most of our seniors (who are on a fixed income) can barely afford to live in our town, which is why keeping our property taxes to a minimum, is so vital. We need to have a cohesive plan in place, so that we can achieve controlled, balanced growth. This will not only benefit the Village’s bottom line, but it will benefit the residents as well.

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

I have been a resident of Homer Township/Homer Glen for almost 30 years. I am a local business owner for over 10 years and have served as a Homer Glen Village Trustee since 2019. I served on the Executive Board and as Treasurer for the Heritage Corridor Business Alliance (our local Chamber). My role as the Co-Chair of the Community and Economic Development Committee has allowed me extensive insight into the business community and the concerns they have had as it relates to the local economy and their success. My role as Co-Chair of the Environment Committee has provided me additional insight into how vital and important it is to balance our community’s needs and desires for the future. I also co-created and Chair Homer Glen's first ever Behavioral Health and Addiction Recovery Committee. I am fully vested in this community in every aspect possible and believe these are the main critical differences amongst myself and my opponents.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)? Or what changes would you like to see?

I am an incumbent and believe that if re-elected I know that I will be able to work cohesively with the incoming board, whoever it may be and will continue to take Homer Glen forward with improved/increased infrastructure, a town center and will keep working on an even better environment for our residents and local businesses.

Describe the other issues or ideas that define your campaign platform:

One major task that is a work in progress and overlooked by prior administrations was our infrastructure. The Village was born over 20 years ago, and at the time it relied heavily off of Lockport, in regard to sewer and waste water management. There was always an understanding that the Village would eventually develop its own system. With the recent settlement of the lawsuit between the Northern Will County Water Agency and Illinois American Water, it is imperative that we move Homer Glen Forward. One of my goals is to have Homer Glen finally take charge of its own destiny, and to create its own waste water and sewer solutions, as this is crucial for the sustainability of the Village.

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

While past officials simply chose to create and then increase taxes, I did not. I in turn am always looking at cost saving measures to keep the bottom line in check. I established Rubi Agave, Latin Kitchen on 159th Street in Homer Glen and have successfully operated this business ever since. Rubi Agave has generously contributed to Homer Glen, via product contributions at Homer Fest over the years and more financial contributions to the newly formed and very much needed Behavioral, Health and Addiction Recovery Committee. We are currently celebrating our tenth year in business in Homer despite a 5-year major road construction project on 159th Street and the recent pandemic. My dedicated staff and I provide a great product, running a lean and efficient operation and smart investing which helped us weather those storms. I promise to continue to do the same for the Village of Homer Glen once re-elected as village trustee.

Why should voters trust you?

I will always share my vision with my fellow residents. That includes telling the constituents the facts, no matter how ugly or inconvenient the truth is. I have always cherished and respected civic duty and I think that community engagement is key. We as public officials are the voice of the people, and I will always embrace that. Homer Glen is still in its infancy and my goal is to do my part to help it reach its Centennial as one of the most beloved and unique Villages in the State.

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

To create and begin the execution of a long-term plan for additional infrastructure for future developments headed west in Homer Glen along the 159th Street Corridor. This includes creating our own sanitation district which would ultimately allow us to detach from Lockport's sanitation district and possibly reduce or eliminate sewer fees from Illinois American Water as we would own the line going west. Also the continuation of the town center process that this current board has started via the feasibility study that has commenced.

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

I believe in running a lean, and fiscally conservative operation. I am firmly against tax and spending practices. Currently I serve on our Administration and Finance Committee, and I am proud to say we very meticulously analyze village expenses.

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

NO

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

Yes

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

No I do not. There are many segments to this "ACT" that do not provide safety for our law-abiding residents. The current "SAFE-T" Act is constitutionally inept and contains provisions that does not protect us. One of many examples is officers will no longer be able to remove trespassers from your residence or place of business. They will simply be issued a fine or a "ticket".

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?

Because of the "SAFE-T" Act I believe that criminals are more empowered and brazen therefore to maintain our community safe we should increase law enforcement in our area. In accordance to our Constitutional 2nd amendment rights I also believe that our residents should be prepared to defend their family, homes and businesses, of course following State Laws and requirements.

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

The current approach is responsible, calculated development. I believe this is the correct pace.

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?

We need more development for seniors and empty nesters. We also need more retail / commercial/professional mixed-use developments along our commercial corridors. A town center is also very much needed.

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:

"The aim of argument or of discussion should not be victory, but progress."

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

I will always vote against increasing the local property tax. I voted against Homer Glen's first ever local property tax and voted against the proposed increase twice after that. I am against development on Will County designated Open Space. Positions that I have held: Village Trustee, Executive Board Member for The Heritage Corridor Business Alliance & Treasurer, Former Co-Chair of Park and Recreation Committee, Chairman of the Village Environment Committee, Member of the Administration & Finance Committee, Co-Founder and Chair of the Behavioral, Health and Addiction Recovery Committee. I love my community and my family & I plan to spend the rest of our lives in Homer Glen.