Rachel Kern: Taxpayer Money is Being Mistreated by the Council; Will Vote Against Tax Increases

• 6th Ward candidate: Rachel Kern                                   
• Web site: www.rachelkern.com
• E-mail: rachelkernforwardsix@gmail.com                                   
• Family: mother, Laura Kern, mother; father, John Kern, father; sisters, Sarah, 24, Jessica, 21, and Rebecca, 19; and brother Michael, 21
• Education: bachelor of arts in history from the University of Dallas
• Occupation: legislative assistant to state Sen. John Millner
• Previous elected offices:  None

What is the primary reason you are running for this office?

I am running because our city is at a crossroads.  We need fresh ideas and fresh faces to maintain the quality of life we enjoy here and to move our city forward into the future.  I want to work to bring tax relief to Elmhurst and get spending under control. We need to address the critical infrastructure issues our city faces, primarily the modernization of our sewer system.  Further, I believe that there has been a lack of accountability, transparency  and attentive listening in city government for too long, and I want to restore these values.

What will be your priority if elected?

My top priority will be making sure that your voice is heard in City Council.  I will be accessible, open and accountable to my constituents.  I will make sure that your tax dollars are being put to work efficiently and treated with the respect they deserve.  That means working to improve infrastructure, like our sewers, holding the line on taxes, forcing the city to live within its means and requiring that government run efficiently and effectively.

What sets you apart from the other candidates?

I think my commitment to listening is what sets me apart.  As I have been going door to door I have heard that so many people in Elmhurst do not know who their alderman is or what they do. I am dedicated to bringing a real element of community participation to the 6th ward and the city as a whole; that includes  regular e-mail updates, town hall meetings, office hours and going door to door to listen to the people of this city about their concerns and what they would like to see happen in City Council. 

How long have you lived in Elmhurst?

23 years

What's your favorite thing about Elmhurst?

My favorite thing about Elmhurst is the people. They are what makes this city great. The sense of community I feel here is like no place else I have ever been.  We have people from all walks of life with different experience, attitudes and ideas.  However, we all share common goals and values: hard work, respect for others and a love for this city.  This is what makes the people of Elmhurst a special class and gives us common purpose. 

What is the biggest problem in Elmhurst?

I think the biggest problem facing Elmhurst is a lack of prioritization by government.  We are facing big challenges, for example, the state of our sewer system.  The slow movement and relative inefficiency with which the sewer modernization process has progressed is exemplary of this lack of prioritization.  This is a critical public-safety, public-health, economic and quality of life issue for the city and it moves at a snail's pace while we continue to raise taxes to build more parking garages.  We must look at what the city needs, not necessarily wants, and move from there. 

Are there any challenges or problems in your ward? If so, what needs to be done?

I think that my ward is truly a microcosm of the where the city is at right now.  We have seniors who are being forced to move out of their homes because they cannot afford to pay property taxes, friends and neighbors who are out of work, serious flooding issues on our streets,  an alderman that does not seem to be particularly accessible and skunks and other animals roaming our back yards.  These are problems that all have solutions that will require hard work and discipline to solve. 

With the retirement of Tom Borchert, what do you think are the most important attributes for a new city manager?

I think that accessibility, cooperation and management skills are the keys to a good city manager.  The next city manager must be willing to work with the mayor and the City Council to ensure that the highest levels of service is provided for residents of this city.  We need someone who knows the community, understands the challenges that we face and will work in a collaborative manner to address  them.   We need someone who  is willing to work with city employees to do more for our city in the most efficient manner possible.

Do you think the city is spending taxpayer money in the most efficient and effective way? What, if anything, would you change with regard to budgeting and spending?

I think that taxpayer money is being mistreated by the City Council.  This  is why we are in the fiscal position we are.  The City Council must remember that first and foremost the money the public invests in the city and entrusts to the council is to be treated with he utmost respect and reverence.  I understand that money is tight for families and I intend to vote accordingly.  Straying from these principals explains why city government is in the fiscal state it is and why it is constantly turning to taxpayers for more money. 

We’ve heard residents of all ages, but especially seniors, say that it’s getting too expensive to live in Elmhurst. What can be done to make Elmhurst more affordable for all residents? Do you think the city will need to raise taxes again in the near future?

The people of this city are working more and are receiving less service for their tax dollars.  This is unacceptable and the reason why I will vote against all tax increases.  We need to address the underlying issues like cutting waste.  I believe that the best revenue enhancement the city can enact is bringing more jobs and commerce to our city.  We need to look at creative ways to market Elmhurst to business and grow our community and economy by building a partnership with the business community and holding the line on all taxes. 

Do you agree with other aldermen who are proposing several new TIF districts in town? Why or why not?

I think that the measure of how TIF funds are working needs to be reassessed.  TIFs exist to leverage future property tax money into long term infrastructure and incentivization to grow property values and  make our city more business friendly.  I think that we need to look at the way TIF funds are being used and decide whether or not they are meeting their goals before any new TIF districts are established.  That said, if we were able to introduce more transparency and accountability and ensure that these TIF funds were not just being sunk into aesthetic improvements but rather real opportunities for growth, I would support expansion. 

What is working and not working in terms of economic development in Elmhurst? What, specifically, would you do to encourage businesses to come here?

The most attractive incentive that a government can provide to business right now is stability. This current economic climate makes planning for the future more important and more difficult than ever.  We need to ensure the business community that Elmhurst is a safe investment.  That means holding the line on taxes, fixing infrastructure and keeping service at the level we have become accustomed to. Further, I would like to explore using TIF funds to build long-term incentives for businesses to locate here and have a partnership with city government to keep them here and growing. 

Spring rains are right around the corner, and a flooding mitigation plan could take years to implement. In the short term, do you think the city is doing everything it can to assists residents who experienced the bulk of the flooding problems last year? Will you be nervous when the rains start?

I, like everyone else in this city, will be nervous when the rains start to fall.  I think we all remember the terrible flooding that strangled our city last year and the terrible effects it had on families and seniors.  I think the city needs to move forward much faster when dealing with these serious flooding issues.  We need to do more than simply hire a consultant, we need to be fixing the problem.  We need to move forward with all deliberate speed to fix this problem and look at ways to creatively fund these improvements.  This is something I would support using TIF funds for. 

Nearly a dozen water mains broke within a one-week period this winter and, separately, failing infrastructure is listed as one of the reasons for flooding in Elmhurst. What needs to be done with infrastructure and how is the city going to pay for it?

I am not an engineering expert.  However, I think this is a perfect project for TIF dollars.  It will stabilize property values, make it easier to attract businesses, help protect families and homes, making Elmhurst more livable.  This is what TIF funds exist for.  While parking garages make our city more commuter friendly they do little to protect the things we love about Elmhurst.  Lets fix the existing problems before we start to overextend ourselves and create new ones. 

Do you think city officials and aldermen have a good relationship with citizens of Elmhurst with regard to trust and transparency? Is there anything you would do to improve that?

There is a fundamental lack of dialogue between the City Council and the people it represents.  This is embodied in the constant tax increases we face, the lack of accountability in many city matters and the fact that when I go door to door I hear time and time again that people want to have more contact with their representatives.  If elected I plan to hold regular meetings to update you on what’s happening in the council and send regular e-mail updates.  You will have my phone number and my e-mail, and I will be available to you.