Peggy Peterson, La Grange Trustee Candidate

LA GRANGE, IL – Incumbent Peggy Peterson is one of four candidates for three seats on the La Grange Village Board.

Here are her responses to the Patch questionnaire:

Name:

Peggy Peterson

Town of residence:

La Grange

Age:

No answer

Campaign contact email:

pegpeterson528@gmail.com

Family:

My husband, Jon Peterson, two adult children. my son, Kevin, his wife, Liz and daughter, Katherine and my daughter, Becky

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No.

Education:

Bachelor of Business Administration /Accountancy from the University of Wisconsin, Madison

Occupation:

C.P.A./Consultant

Previous or current elected or appointed office:

I am currently serving as a Trustee for the Village of La Grange.

Prior to my election to the Village Board, I served for two years on the Environmental Quality Commission for La Grange.

I also served eight years on the D105 Board of Education, from 2003 through 2011.

The single most pressing issue facing the village is:

Maintaining and replacing critical infrastructure and prioritizing public safety. Here are my goals:
I will work with local agencies, such as Lyons Township High School and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, to fund critical storm water management projects for the Village.

I will also continue to work with our local, state and federal representatives to secure funding for Stormwater mitigation and replacing lead-lined water service lines.

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

I believe my extensive experience in working in governance roles sets me apart from other candidates. Prior to becoming a Trustee. I was a board member for La Grange School District 105 where we regularly dealt with challenging policy, personnel and financial issues. I believe my experience at District 105 prepared me well for my role as a Village Trustee.

I currently work as a consultant in the public sector, advising governmental clients in evaluating and reporting governmental infrastructure assets. These assets include roadways, water distribution, wastewater and Stormwater systems. As such, I have extensive knowledge of municipal infrastructure similar to La Grange.

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

Working closely with my fellow trustees, I actively participated in negotiations to bring Classic Cinema to La Grange. I have also served on the Village’s Human Resources committee.

More recently, we successfully hired new key department heads for the village, including a Village Manager, Fire Chief and Police Chief and a Director of Finance. We also updated the Village’s Strategic Plan and recently approved the Village’s Comprehensive Plan (La Grange Forward). Most recently, we jointly implemented an adjudication Hearing process with La Grange Park to resolve local citizen citations.

Are the village government's taxes too high, too low or just about right? Explain.

La Grange enjoys a solid financial position and is able to consistently meet all of its current operating and pension obligations. As a taxing body, La Grange is subject to a ceiling for the property tax levy of CPI or 5%, whichever is lower. Recently. despite rising operating costs, the Board has approved a tax levy that was lower than the allowable ceiling. I believe the Village operates quite responsibly in the current financial environment. We, as Village trustees, take a high level of personal responsibility in addressing Village finances.

What is your view of the village's maintenance of its infrastructure?

La Grange is fortunate to have an excellent and dedicated Public Works Department. The Village was recently commissioned a comprehensive plan for investment in infrastructure, including storm water management, roadway replacement and replacement of lead lined water main piping. We are committed to investing taxpayer funding as efficiently as possible. An example of this commitment was demonstrated during the repaving of Brainard/Shawmut Avenue, which concurrently involved replacing water mains while the street was under construction. This avoided duplication of effort and expense.

What is your assessment of the police department's performance?

I am pleased with Chief Timothy Griffin’s leadership of the La Grange Police Department. He brings a level of professionalism and enthusiasm that enhances the entire department.

The number of traffic tickets has plunged over the years in La Grange. What is your view of that situation?

This is perhaps a question best directed to the Chief of Police. However, La Grange recently upgraded its technology for reporting traffic citations and I believe that the implementation of its Traffic Enforcement Plans (TEPS) has improved traffic management and public safety. This has been particularly effective in various busy intersections in the business district and Ogdon Avenue during school drop-off and pick-up times. I believe a side benefit of this investment might explain this drop in traffic citations.

What type of buildings should be allowed in downtown La Grange? Taller buildings?

The recently approved La Grange Comprehensive Plan recommends amending the zoning code to allow four story buildings by right. It is important to note that future developments will be considered by residents through the Village’s Plan Commission and its Design Review Commission.

How do you rate La Grange handling of stormwater problems? Explain.

The Village has actively pursued litigation regarding the 50th Street storm water project. While the Village prevailed in some early decisions, the Quarry has appealed to the Appellate Court of the State of Illinois. While this is frustrating, the parties to this litigation must await the Court’s decisions. However, work continues to advance on the construction permitting process with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District.

Should the village allow video gambling or recreational marijuana sales in town? Why or why not?

I do not support video gaming and the sale of recreational marijuana in La Grange. I believe these activities are out of character for La Grange.

People come to our village to raise their children and send them to our blue-ribbon public and private schools, while our vibrant Downtown area continues to attract tourists from neighboring communities to our restaurants and shopping.

Should the village president and trustees take political contributions from village contractors or those with zoning or other matters before the board? Why or why not?

I have not accepted any political contributions from individuals or organizations with business before the village of La Grange. I believe to do so would create conflicts of interest with respect to existing statement of Economic Interests guidelines.

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

I fully intend to complete my term of office if elected.

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

I consider it an honor to represent the residents of La Grange as a Village Trustee. Having completed my first four-year term as a Trustee, it is clear to me that our current Trustees work well together. We work hard to develop consensus on various issues, taking into consideration the various points of view on the Board and among our citizens. Each of us will continue to provide the highest levels of public services to our residents.