Journal & Topics Media Group

Arlington Heights Candidates Discuss Village’s Greatest Needs


 

Arlington Heights Village Board candidates (from left to right) Scaletta, Schwingbeck, LaBedz, Canty, Taylor

With less than two weeks until election day, April 2, Arlington Heights candidates discuss their thoughts on the village’s greatest needs.

Identifying stormwater drainage as a key issue, Mary Beth Canty said she wants to make sure the village follows through with planned projects to address the problem. Canty said she thought the rain barrels were a creative idea that engaged the community. “We should continue to look for ways to keep the community involved in our solutions.”

Canty also said she’s open to having discussions with other towns and villages that are similarly situated, to get their ideas.

She believes keeping current retailers and attracting more is another important issue. “We should strive to keep Arlington Heights as a premier destination,” Canty said, pointing out it would help to maintain the village’s tax base.

Working with the Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce and business owners to understand trends in retail is one way Canty said she’d work to keep storefronts filled.

Providing services while keeping taxes low is the direction Laurie Taylor would take. “We all chose to live in Arlington Heights,” said Taylor, “and I want to make sure that we can all continue to do so.”

Incumbents Robin LaBedz and John Scaletta are on the same page in their belief that infrastructure is priority number one.

Scaletta noted the importance of considerate planning and careful scheduling of work. “We will avoid ripping up roads, parkways and sidewalks more than once, which will save tax dollars and resident frustrations,” he said.

Scaletta also pointed to the need to focus on economic development and business retention as a way to strengthen the sales tax base while reducing dependency on property taxes.

LaBedz said maintaining and improving infrastructure is important, “As these affect the quality of life in every part of the village.”

Presenting a balanced budget while providing village services is on top of Tom Schwingbeck’s list. “The village works very hard at maintaining and expanding the level of service it provides,” said Schwingbeck. “The biggest challenge is to do this in a fiscally responsible manner and presenting a budget that keeps property taxes as low as possible.”

 

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