Election 2013: J.B. Johnson for Fourth Ward of Park Ridge

The following information was provided by J.B. Johnson. Patch provides a platform for candidates to share their messages, and does not give endorsements. To share your message with readers for free, add it to the Local Voices section on Park Ridge Patch.

Name: J.B. "Jane" Johnson

Position sought: Fourth Ward Alderman of Park Ridge

Campaign contact information. Please include any or all of the following: website, email address, phone number, Facebook page, Twitter account, mailing address, etc.

Website http://www.JB-Johnson-usa.com

Email: JB_Johnson_for_4thWardAlderman@Yahoo.com

Facebook: Facebook.com/JBJohnson.usa

Twitter: http://twitter.com/JBJohnsonusa

Mailing address: 111 N. Dee Road, Park Ridge, IL 60068

Age: I'm over 21.

Family Include as much info as you like (names, ages, number of children, etc.): Married to George Johnson, retired and former owner of Michigan Printers for over 30 years, currently founder and president of The Pro Life Check Guy, a 45-year resident of Park Ridge, Illinois and life champion - chairman of LifeSource Blood Drives.

I am a former ninth grade English teacher, retired from Chicago Public Schools; a two-time community leader of the year honoree (CA and IL) with a cash reward; a former columnist and editor; founder and president of JMB Pro Management PR and Educational Co. (a private base client group - entertainers and their children, a former client and Music Hall of Fame member Bobby Womack hired JMB to tutor his son), Educated at the University of Arkansas, elected as the class queen and representative while there, University of West Los Angeles School of Law, elected as Student Bar Association president while there.

Interned for the late Johnnie L. Cochran; and DePaul University for continuing teacher education updates then moving on to intern/volunteer for a list of affluent current political incumbents currently in office across the nation who make laws that change the world whom J.B. Johnson knows. The experience and knowledge on politics acquired over the years brings J.B. Johnson to the level of unmatched experience qualifying her to tackle complex issues and assuring your confident mind she can deliver as promised and  articulate the wishes of the Fourth Ward of Park Ridge, as alderman.

Education Include degree(s) and school(s):

Degree in Teacher Education, in addition to: Educated at the University of Arkansas, elected as the class queen and representative while there, University of West Los Angeles School of Law, elected as Student Bar Association president while there.

Interned for the late Johnnie L. Cochran; and DePaul University for continuing teacher education updates.

Occupation: Business executive

Political Party: Independent

Official name of your campaign committee (if you have one):

Committee to Elect JB Johnson

Previous Elected or Appointed Offices:

College (several) — real world, none

Is there any additional experience you believe qualifies you for the position?

Over 30 years of management appointments, in addition to having a teaching job during the day; worked on budgets, management, analytical forecasting, major marketing and that included with: Monk Higgins (Milton Bland) award winning and legendary blues entertainer, a list of "current legislators" in office today and legal scholars where I trained with and under as apprentice and equipment with a bonus as a former educator and well educated. My flexible profession schedule allows me to be ready, available and able to do the job and perform the duties necessary which reflect the need of the people of Park Ridge and can promise I can do whenever necessary without the restrictions or obligated boundaries needed to perform the task; in person, not by phone.

What would your priorities be if elected to this office?

1. Safety:

• Take a second at the fire department needs, their continued request for updated equipment necessary to deliver the best, up-to-date and emergency medical service possible to the residents of Park Ridge that should be the best; residents safety and medical needs should be a priority.
• Take a second look at the police department needs and continued request for updated funding for operational demands which are of importance to safety. One example: the red light camera continued project promotes safety; a law enforcement tool necessary at the city’s dangerous intersections, serving as a surveillance tool and enforcing accountability to violators (to actual receive several cameras at these dangerous intersections require maneuvers officials are hesitant to take on and may consider it not worth the agony; J.B. believes citizens of Park Ridge are worth it. J.B. Johnson resides at the second most dangerous intersection in the Fourth Ward at Dee and Touhy, just witnessed another accident at this intersection the other day. J.B. and her spouse have almost been hit while taking walks at that intersection by motorists who opt not to stop first, then turn on red as required and should be held accountable. While the city benefits from violators; J.B. would like to see a more productive revenue intake.

2. Economic stability for future generations:

• TIF reform; my solution is to immediately initiate a three-step
• financial plan to save the city, residents and their children who are the future of a financial burden. J.B. is uncertain as to the effectiveness of the annual approval of the abatement ordinance, which is a major dance partner in the general fund, budget dance circle we all are indebted to. My belief is if this were phased out, and the authoritative body (Cook taxes collector – the treasurer) could intervene, collect the TIF debt and disclose to residents
• What to expect, they can plan accordingly for the future and have the TIF item removed from the budget dance circle as a silent partner hidden from all of us.
• The general fund would then be paid in a 10-15 year period; visibly reflected on the tax bill so residents can see how it varies over the years reflecting progress or its failure and this transparency should be had across the board. Further, if the TIF if refinanced (a kick the can down the road solution), it will be an extension of the debt and property taxes will drastically increase, with my vision it would only increase at the average rate or one percent above. J.B. would not be in favor of any huge tax increase more than a percent above the standard; at present J.B. believes future increases should be frozen for the next two fiscal years.

How (presence in the community):

• By involvement.
• My flexibility, my availability and schedule on my terms makes it possible to resolve.
• Core issues of concern on a level citizens would benefit substantially from.
• Utilizing the skills set acquired through years and years of training; motivated to aggressively continue to task until the job is done.

3. Zoning Committee:

• Taking a second look at the Zoning Committee
• Disclosing to a potential business what to expect, in order not to alienate new retailers into not coming to Park Ridge presenting them with a welcome package, including what it takes to settle into a business here and the process.
• In addition to disclosing strict Zoning requirements to maintain a business prior to commitments.
• Encourage an open dialogue plan - liaison to new business owners needing enlightenment so they can be successful without feeling left out or singled out. With an effective public relations plan in force would open the retail community door and others would follow and look to Park Ridge as a retail-friendly place to be like neighboring cities.

What are the most important issues facing Park Ridge and what would you do as alderman to address them?

 Same as above.

What is one of the most important issues facing residents in your ward, and what would you do, if elected, to address it?

 My issues I believe, in that order of one, two and three. 

It has been estimated that the Uptown tax increment financing fund, or TIF, will cost the general fund approximately $1 million annually. What action would you support the city take to address the Uptown TIF debt, why?

My answer above that I offered on my brochures and to friends back in February before the report card came out; includes my solutions and how to approach it.

O’Hare International Airport has plans to construct a cargo facility in the northeast portion of the airport, which will increase air traffic over Park Ridge during the nighttime. Additionally, the Federal Aviation Administration is expected to respond to letters sent by Park Ridge regarding flight traffic sometime this year. What would you do, if elected, to represent Park Ridge residents’ interests with regard to noise pollution and expansion of airport operations?

The federal government is offering grants to noise proof homes in areas of high traffic that residents can take advantage of. The resolution may not be as timely as others would like: the cargo brings merchandise to neighboring communities for growth. Living near an airport is an anticipatory move of noise and possibly being forced out of your home in the future (like Bensenville resident under imminent domain). At present, the federal government is offering a temporary solution to a permanent problem that the FAA must create soon to tackle this problem, which has been going on for decades.  I support residents continuing to put the heat on the O.N.C.C. and FAA for a more immediate resolve on these matters.

Why would you do a better job representing Park Ridge than your opponent? Or, if you’re running unopposed, what makes you a strong candidate?

The crucial fact in this world and in this town, Everyone has in their mind great ideas, but the best person to select is one whom you believe can implement those and based on a background of success — across the board — you believe this person is amble to articulate your needs and concerns based on a background of success and fire in their belly approach to tackle your concerns and do it on a professional but aggressive manner that would make you proud.

After all the endorsements, all the debates, all the character assassinations, all the hacking of candidates’ websites and emails and back room warmed over gossip.

From where I stand, I believe this is what voters want to know: who will be best to articulate their concerns, issues of importance and who would be best to be available to do so on a professional, aggressive manner and be persistent in doing so and not bound by other commitments that would deter this exceptional time-committed four year, or more, obligation without condition the candidate is seeking to uphold for the good of the people, putting them first, setting a level of confidence in their minds you can do this based on a background of accomplishments with a vision to succeed in any goal set in life.

Based on voting trends and Chicago politics as an example, people don’t vote experience anymore but vote “What can you do for them?” and are you in a position to do what they need and do you have the time to do so without time road blocks — a tight schedule — or commitment elsewhere, across the board to do so. J.B. Johnson is that person and below; she will tell you why in a condensed version. I am the best choice, I am the best person who will and can keep my promise to service as a leader and be available to you. Why: based on my lifetime of success of getting things done on a national level and most of my accomplishments occurred while taking care of a mother who was fighting colon cancer; I am a warrior who believes in working hard and I am equipped with a strong background of successes to insure the people I can deliver and stay focused on my Fourth Ward boundaries first as the Park Ridge Park District is not under the jurisdiction of the Fourth Ward or the Centennial Pool which my opponent list as his top level goal and point of interest if elected.