Martha 'Marti' Deuter: Candidate for 1st Ward Alderman

Campaign Information
www.martideuterward1.com
marti.deuter@gmail.com

Family: Husband, Dave; and children, Sydney, 16, Alec, 14, Sam, 12, Nora, 4, and Henry, 1 1/2 

Education: University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration, 1998, master’s degree; Ohio University, 1995, bachelor’s degree

Occupation: 

• Managed a grant-funded research and data project at DePaul University (2008–2011). Left DePaul when our youngest child was born.
• Eight years of municipal government experience with the City of Chicago (2000–2008). Analyzed and evaluated legislative and policy issues at the local, state, and federal levels. 

Why are you seeking office? 

Elmhurst is a great place to live and do business, and I have the experience, passion and time to strengthen our community and ensure the city is constantly moving in the right direction. I have eight years of municipal government experience that kicked off my love of local government and a passion for civic engagement. I will be available and accessible to residents and will make well-informed, fiscally responsible decisions.  

What will be your highest priority if elected?

The community assets in the 1st Ward include many of Elmhurst’s treasures: the library, outstanding parks and recreation facilities, Elmhurst College, two museums, four schools and more. Strengthening and promoting these assets, using them to enhance our ward’s sense of community and vibrancy, and ensuring safety as people walk and bike between them are among my priorities. Other pressing issues I will focus on include stormwater management, the Hahn Street development and the ongoing responsibility of managing city expenses. 

What sets you apart from the other candidates?

I spend every day in Elmhurst, have a flexible schedule and will be available and accessible to constituents. An effective alderman spends time meeting with residents, local business owners, city staff, colleagues and other stakeholders.  Time is spent preparing for committee and council meetings. I will invest the time needed to do the job well.

Consultants suggest most of the city’s flooding and sewer problems require fixes at individual residences. Homeowners may resist, especially if there is a cost. How do you propose getting that done?

City Council recently moved forward on improvements to the sanitary system in southwest Elmhurst. While this is an important first step, public infrastructure improvements will address only a portion of the flooding and sewer issues. The studies conducted have shown that the greatest contributor to the problem is the amount of clean water entering the system from private residences during and after a storm. Resident awareness and education about the problem and its causes must be a priority. All residents should receive communication that clearly describes the findings of the consulting engineers and resident task forces. The city should also help homeowners identify the most cost effective improvements to private residences and continue, and possibly expand, existing cost-sharing programs. Addressing the private side of this issue will not be a simple task. But without changes to private residences, the effectiveness of any investments in public infrastructure will be limited.

Elmhurst has four TIF districts now and two more proposed. Do you agree with TIF decisions made thus far (creating TIF 4, moving Hahn St., etc.) and do you support moving forward with TIFs 5 and 6? What other methods of increasing development do you favor?

TIF is a redevelopment tool that Elmhurst and many other communities have successfully utilized to promote economic activity. I support the formation of TIF 4 and believe it will promote growth in a historically overlooked area of Elmhurst that has been hit hard by multiple car dealership closings. The decision to move the Hahn Street development out of TIF 1 and into TIF 4 allows Hahn Street to serve as an engine for growth along North York Street. However, the move also means it will be at least another 23 years before the city as a whole benefits from the development’s property taxes. This makes it all the more important that Hahn Street is a quality development for the long term. 

Although TIFs have been a beneficial development tool, I believe it would be a mistake to capture a majority of Elmhurst’s commercial districts in TIFs. I would support the creation of new TIFs only as existing TIFs expire or a sufficient number of properties are removed from existing TIFs.

We are fortunate that business owners and developers are drawn to Elmhurst because of its location, thriving downtown, and outstanding amenities. In addition, the city supports a number of business incentives, marketing and development efforts. I would like to see each of these efforts identify specific goals and report progress to City Council at least quarterly to ensure continued progress.

What is Elmhurst missing that you would like to see?

Elmhurst has a strong sense of community and countless residents who invest time and energy into strengthening our schools, parks, churches and dozens of other nonprofit organizations. I would like to see more opportunities for a similar level of engagement in our local government. Residents should be encouraged to attend and offer ideas at meetings of the City Council’s four standing committees, which is often when the most comprehensive discussion of an issue takes place. Before a final decision is made on matters that directly affect residents, aldermen should make it a priority to engage their constituents and solicit their input. With this approach, residents will have opportunities to guide issues that are important to them, such as city services, infrastructure improvements, safety and the make-up of local businesses.

Taxpayers will be your toughest critics, in large part because you’re spending their money. Elmhurst has a lot of informed, outspoken citizens. How will you connect with them to address their concerns?

I believe that engaged and well-informed residents are the most satisfied, and if elected, open, two-way communication will be one of the hallmarks of my time in office. One of the most important responsibilities of an elected official is to be aware of residents’ concerns and priorities. I will be accessible and available to residents, who will be able to contact me by phone, email, or through my website. I am accessible both day and evening and have time available to respond promptly. In addition, I will continue the practice started by our ward’s current aldermen of using emails to keep residents informed. I will hold at least one ward-wide town hall meeting annually, and I will have monthly coffees at a local business. Not everyone will agree with every decision, but it is important for residents to feel their concerns were heard and considered as part of the decision-making process.

Should Elmhurst allow backyard chicken coops?

When residents express interest in a particular issue, I believe local government has an obligation to be responsive and give the issue due consideration. Regarding backyard chickens, I would support a public hearing to provide an opportunity for all sides of the issue to be heard. Following a hearing, if City Council were to allow backyard chickens, I think Elmhurst should proceed cautiously and begin with a one-year pilot program. A pilot program could issue a limited number of temporary permits (fewer than five) that would specify the number of chickens allowed and could also specify the number of feet required between the coop and neighboring properties. Toward the end of the pilot program, City Council would consider whether the program should expire, continue or expand.

What other message do you really want to get across to Elmhurst voters? Please add any other information pertinent to your campaign.

If elected, there are three characteristics that will be pervasive during my tenure: open, two-way communication, respectful debate, and well-informed, fiscally-responsible decisions. I know that to do the job well takes time. My current schedule is flexible, and I have time available to invest in doing the job right. It would be my honor to represent the residents of the 1st Ward.