Mary Frances For Wheatland Township Trustee: Candidate Survey

WHEATLAND TOWNSHIP, IL — Wheatland Township leadership could completely shift in April's election. Four trustee seats as well as the supervisor, highway commissioner, clerk, tax collector and assessor roles are all up for grabs.

The Democratic candidates running include Michael Crowner for supervisor, Harry Benton for highway commissioner, Terry Jones for clerk and Jim Kopchok for tax collector. Margaret Tyson, Mary Frances, Matt Glowiak and Jeff Klein are running for trustee.

Wheatland United, as the Democratic party is known, is the incumbent party.

Republicans running in the race include Brian Evans for supervisor, Bruce Darata for assessor, Todd Morse for highway commissioner, Tim Willmore for tax collector and Robert Whittier for clerk. Michael Krzywinski, David Furnish, Tom Brzyski and Randall Haap are trustee candidates.

The township is made up of 37 precincts covering parts of Aurora, Bolingbrook, Plainfield and Naperville.

Patch sent surveys to Wheatland Township candidates ahead of the election. Responses will be published as they're received. Take a look at Frances's answers below:

Your name: Mary C. Frances

Office sought: Wheatland Township Trustee

Campaign website: www.wheatlandunited.com

Town of residence: Naperville

Party affiliation (if partisan race): Democrat

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? This includes any relatives who work in the government you're running for. No.

Occupation: Consultant for 10 years

Previous or current elected or appointed office: No elected office, election judge since 2018.

The most pressing issues facing Wheatland Township are _______, and this is what I intend to do about them. Continued fiscal responsibility and smart governance, mental health, service and support for residents and ongoing improvement of infrastructure.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post? I am the only person running for the position of Trustee who lives in an unincorporated area of Wheatland Township. Residents of unincorporated areas are impacted by the township on a daily basis in ways that incorporated residents are not. I believe that it is important for unincorporated residents to have a voice on the board.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)? I am not a challenger; however, township boards previous to the current board were not fiscally responsible and had a backlog of road projects reaching over 4 years. The current board reduced that to less than one year and will continue to improve infrastructure in the township.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform. Many people are unaware that the townships provides services to seniors and citizens in need. We need to continue to make these programs available to residents and strengthen them particularly in the area of mental health which has become a major issue for youth and seniors alike.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job? As an entrepreneur, I have grown my own business over the last 10 years into a thriving, respected entity. I work with congregations and denominations across the country to increase vitality and sustainability. I work with leaders to help them overcome obstacles and become better, stronger leaders. I responsibly manage a large budget and have helped to create tools to support this work. I will bring all of these gifts and talents to my work as a trustee.

Why should voters trust you? I am a 30-year resident of the Shell Lake subdivision where people know that I stand by my word. I have a background in ministry and believe that we should not promise what we cannot deliver. I understand the gifts and challenges of life in an unincorporated area and want to help residents maintain their chosen way of life.

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office as a success? The addition of long-term mental health support for youth would be a win for the community and the board. I also hope that we can continue to increase ways that the community addresses climate change issues around water management, leaf disposal rather than burning and other key ways of reducing climate impact.

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the handling of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking? We need to continue operating a fiscally sound government that protects taxpayer dollars. We will maintain the lowest tax rates in the county while ensuring efficient service delivery while identifying additional cost-saving measures and grant opportunities, to reduce reliance on property taxes. And importantly, keep the township budget balanced and invest responsibly in the long-term needs of our residents.

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? The crime index in Wheatland Township is 51 which is half of the national average. While we always need to pay attention to issues around crime, violent crime is only 1/3 of the national average which is to day the incidence of extremely low. Wheatland Township will continue to support local law enforcement efforts to keep our township a safe place to live.

What is your view of the village's approach to commercial and residential development? The balance between growth, development and supportive infrastructure is vital. We must always be paying attention to ensure that adequate infrastructure is in place to support growth - both residential and commercial. The township is responsible for roads and drainage management therefore we need to work in concert with the city to ensure that the infrastructure can support planned development.

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? It is important that we identify gaps in essential services to support members of our community and address them in a timely manner. We will continue to strengthen partnerships with local organizations to provide mental health, food security, and emergency assistance programs. Residents have indicated the need to create new opportunities for youth engagement, job training, and community enrichment programs.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family? No.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions? When I was little girl, I helped hand out fliers for my father who was running for Trustee in Mount Prospect. Today, I hope to continue that tradition of serving at the local level to strengthen our community and support the residents of our township. I am a 30-year resident of Wheatland Township and Shell Lake Estates and have served on neighborhood governance and improvement committees. I love living in Wheatland Township and want to continue to make it a wonderful place to live.