Orland Park Library Board Candidate: Christian J. Barcelona

ORLAND PARK, IL — Meet Christian J. Barcelona, running for Orland Park Library Board Trustee. The election is April 6.

Barcelona recently filled out the Patch candidate survey, and his answers can be seen below.

If you are a candidate for the April election, and would like to answer our Patch candidate questionnaire, please email yasmeen.sheikah@patch.com.

Christian J. Barcelona

Age (as of Election Day)

43

Town/City of Residence

Orland Park

Office Sought

Library board

Party Affiliation (if a partisan race)

N/A

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

Yes, I work for the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago.

Education

Moraine Valley Community College, Associates in Science degree.

Occupation

Assistant Chief Operating Engineer, I have worked for the MWRD for 15 years at their Stickney Plant.

Campaign website

I have a Facebook page called, Re-elect Christian J. Barcelona for Orland Park Library Trustee

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

I am currently completing a six-year term on the Orland Park Library Board of Trustees. I have previously been President of the board and I am the current Vice-President.

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

Keeping the library a safe place for our patrons and employees. We want to be proactive about public safety. I will continue to work with our administrative staff as we navigate the next phases of re-opening during the pandemic.

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?

I support the first amendment of the Constitution, including the right to peacefully assemble. I know that being a police officer is a hard job and they have my respect. That being said, it shouldn't happen in America, that people of color are being killed and maimed on what seems like a weekly basis while being taken into custody for relatively minor property crimes. Shoplifting a box of cigars, selling single cigarettes, allegedly trying to pass a counterfit twenty dollar bill, having a mental breakdown. These are not crimes that anyone deserves to die for. I understand, to the best of my ability, the outrage of having to watch these things happen too often, I support Black Lives Matter. I also support common sense police reforms. I feel there needs to be more money allocated to mental heath and substance abuse programs.

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

I think we are doing a good job supporting racial equality, we have many diverse programming options. We are awaiting the most recent census data to incorporate that information into our strategic plan so that we may tailor our collection to the population demographics of Orland Park.

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 feel that the national coronavirus response has been a failure to the American people. I personally know of four people that are no longer with us because of it. What is a function of government that I think everyone can agree on? Number one for me, is to keep its citizens safe. I think the major problem with this virus is asymptomatic spread. So for some people the virus has no effect on their lives at all, for others, they get very sick, and they may die. If everyone that caught the virus got really sick I think there would be more people on board with mask mandates and restricting indoor dining. I think we all need to get on the same page, stop making public health a political issue, and stop this pandemic as quickly as possible so that we can get back to our normal lives. I realize that businesses and people are hurting from being shutdown. The Orland Library was one of the only libraries in the area that reopened after the lock-down. We follow the CDC guidelines and will continue to do so.

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?

It seems to be improving. From what I understand when the vaccine was first rolled out there was poor communication from the federal government to state and local levels of government. The logistics of mass vaccination sites were not well-thought-out locally and there was limited guidance on the federal level. I commend Senator Hastings for his efforts to turn the Tinley Park Convention Center into a mass vaccination site. There shouldn't be a "Hunger Games" type scenario to getting a vaccine. All facets of government should work together to get as many shots into the arms of the people that want it.

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

I have been on the board for the past six years and I have had to make some tough calls regarding our budgeting, staffing and operational decisions. I have been a public servant for the past fifteen years at my place of employment. I have spoken with one of my challengers, and we had a productive conversation. I question their sincerity about wanting to serve on the board. When I initially sought this office I attended several library board meetings to see what it's all about. My challengers have not attended any of our meetings, which are open to the public.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

I will let the work I have done speak for itself. My main goal when I first ran for office was to keep the library a safe space for our patrons, and to be fiscally responsible to the taxpayers of Orland Park.

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

I feel my greatest accomplishment on the board was our recent building renovation. It was completed on time, under budget, and at no additional cost to the taxpayers. I have navigated patron issues, staffing problems, and budget cuts with success. We have embraced the rapid changes in technology to better serve the community. I am committed to keeping the library a safe place for our patrons.

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

I would like to see the library fully reopen. I would like to safely bring back our educational programming and entertainment. There will be some major administrative changes coming in the next term and someone with the experience that I have should be on the board making those decisions.

Why should voters trust you?

I am committed to being a good steward for our taxpayer's money. I have increased transparency by voting to make closed session meeting minutes available to the public. I took an oath to uphold the laws of our constitution and will continue to do so.

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

I feel that I am fiscally conservative. Our library is in great shape financially, our finance manager Ross does an excellent job for us. We have an outside consultant independently audit our financial books every year. My goal is to provide the best value I can to our taxpayers, and to keep our budgets balanced.

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:

You create the world you live in, and treat people how you want to be treated.