Daniel H. Pepoon: Candidate For Northbrook Trustee

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

Six candidates are vying for three four-year trustee seats on the Northbrook Village Board on Election Day. They are incumbents Muriel J. Collison and Daniel H. Pepoon, and challengers Robert Burns, Joy Ebhomielen, Christopher Lay and Ana Mendez McGuinnes. Current Trustee Kathryn L. Ciesla is running for Village President, leaving her seat up for grabs, with Sandra E. Frum set to retire. She will be challenged by Eugene Marks for president.

Ciesla, Collison, Ebhomielen and Pepoon have received the backing of the Northbrook Caucus of 2021. Burns, Lay, Marks and McGuinnes are being endorsed by United4Northbrook.

Northbrook Patch is publishing all responses submitted by candidates verbatim.

Daniel H. Pepoon

Age (as of Election Day)

64

Town/City of Residence

Northbrook

Office Sought

Village board or city council

Party Affiliation (if a partisan race)

N/A

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

BS Mechanical Engineering, Valparaiso University

Occupation

Merrill Lynch Senior Vice President/Senior Financial Advisor, 35 years

Campaign website

Northbrookcaucus.org

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Village of Northbrook Board of Trustees - 1 year, Plan Commission - 15 years, Bicycle Task Force - 6 years, Senior Service Commission - 1 year.

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

Recovery from the economic recession caused by the pandemic. While we have taken many steps already; deferring nonessential expenditures and reducing our largest cost, payroll, by offering early retirement, we must continue the cost cutting effort. We need to continue to balance our budget, even as we access the substantial surplus this year, that we’ve always built into our budgeting process. We provided grant money to help stores and restaurants. We are openly discussing options with the Chamber of Commerce for additional areas where we can help. Our staff has been actively pursuing Federal, State and local grant opportunities to come to the aid of Northbrook. Where possible we structure incentives to bring in new businesses and look to keep fees in check for existing businesses. A strong and healthy financial process is the path forward to reach all of our desires.

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?

No one denies that Black Lives Matter, including me - All Black Lives Matter. Those of George Floyd, Jacob Blake, Chicago’s Laquan McDonald and others who perish with police activity are just as important as the many black youths in our inner city dying and needing a way to a better life. Peaceful demonstrations and free speech are the backbone of our democracy.

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

The current Board of Trustees has worked hard to support racial equality, though acknowledge that work is not complete. We need to continue to lead by example.

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?

I have long thought masks are a part of our way out of this pandemic and following CDC guidance is proper. With the benefit of hindsight, our national response shows areas that need improvement. We should, and must, learn from experience. Following CDC guidance will likely alter many business operations that limit their full potential. We need to get on the other side of this pandemic and smart, safe, public interaction in restaurants and businesses helps us achieve that goal.

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?

The many layers of regulations, as we try and get the order of who gets vaccinations right, slows the process greatly. It’s proper to get essential workers taken care of first, followed by those most at risk. The Village of Northbrook has very limited input in jabbing people’s arm. And another layer of government would only slow the process. We stand ready to help and have offered the old Grainger property, that we currently control, as a building ready willing and able to help, if needed.

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

Experience. Even after spending 15 years in the Plan Commission, there is a learning curve as one steps into the Board of Trustee position. There is a lot to learn in setting the path for our Village Manger to run nearly a $100 million operation with about 170 employees. Now, more than ever, experience matters.

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

N/A

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

There are several properties either owned by the Village, or in need of attention for positive change. Regarding Village properties, we are expected to receive the storm water report for the old Grainger Property Northbrook owns and therefore controls its destiny. We expect to establish project development objectives and a new zoning classification as we sell it for development. The Police Station is housed in what was considered a temporary structure after the Fire Department moved to a new fire station. It’s sub-standard and in need of replacement, or expensive upgrades. Public safety is priority one, and the proper equipment and training for our talented police force helps make that happen. The legacy Public Works maintenance building is too small to perform maintenance indoors on our biggest equipment. The largest property, owned privately, and available for a higher and better use is Green Acres. It’s zoned Open Space, and has an important role in providing something of value to our whole community. Properly developed it will bring in new revenues for our Village, and not pose a problem for our schools. Definition was brought to the old Affordable Housing ordinance that has been on our books for over 12 years. New developments now have details provided with our newly adopted ordinance to accomplish largely those same goals that were not getting achieved. To expand on the inclusive nature of our residents, affordable housing offers some additional economic diversity to our housing stock. We are conducting sustainability meetings with staff, businesses and residents to look for ways to best treat our natural resources without placing undue burdens on business or residents. Finding and educated all those that live, work and visit Northbrook on how to be a steward of our environment is important to me, and those I’m running with.

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

Serving on the Plan Commission for many years to provide a recommendation to the Board of Trustees, after extensive public meetings. Then taking on the new responsibility of being on the Board as we entered the pandemic to operate in the virtual world to continue to place my services to the community and deliver a balanced budget.

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

To succeed at our long efforts of making our downtown district thrive. In partnership with our business community our whole town wins. This goal coordinates many aspects and properties of the Village to make it work.

Why should voters trust you?

I’ve lived in Northbrook for over 35 years, brought up three children in our terrific public school system, and continue to stand ready to give back to the community.

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

Be as thrifty with the tax payer’s money, I’m charged to oversee, as I would be with my own money

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:

Don’t go to bed with anger in your heart.

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

I’m open to constructive criticism and different ways to solve our problems. Actively and honestly listening to others points of view, without throwing verbal grenades because their opinion is different than mine, results in the best outcome for Northbrook.