Over the past four years I have been honored to serve the community as a River Forest village trustee. For me, the decision to seek elected office was a natural progression from many community volunteer positions I’ve held, and a way to apply my professional background in village government toward the betterment of the village of River Forest.
The opportunity to serve as a Village Trustee has been very rewarding, and has allowed me to give back to our wonderful village in a very positive way. In my 23-year career in municipal government, both in financial and administrative management positions, I created and managed budgets and tax levies and directed all areas of risk management.
This experience gives me a unique perspective in the village decision-making process, which has served the village board well. I believe that as a trustee I should evaluate, as objectively as possible, all information presented, understand the facts, and make the most thoughtful and informed decision for the greater good of the community. I can proudly say that I apply this approach consistently to all matters that come before me as a board member. The residents deserve nothing less from their elected officials.
Over the past four years the village has made tremendous progress in the areas of fiscal management, policy and procedure implementation, such as police and fire pension-funding initiatives, communication, infrastructure improvements, economic development, collaboration with other local taxing bodies through intergovernmental cooperation, historic preservation, public safety and sustainability efforts. This long list of accomplishments is only achievable with strong leadership, and highly professional public servants. In River Forest, we are fortunate to have public servants who are able to provide this leadership to our residents.
Today the village has achieved balanced budgets, has adequate reserves, and is moving forward on the largest infrastructure project in our history. The village obtained grant funding for initiatives like green alleys, a fire engine and the Madison Streetscape project. In addition, we have many exciting possibilities to advance economic development in our commercial corridors.
The future is bright but not without challenges. The state financial crisis will certainly impact local governments and we need to find proactive solutions to mitigate that impact to River Forest. Other goals should include continued investment in technology, and greater outreach to our constituents with relevant, informative communication. We need to encourage a collaborative and common-sense approach to decision making while providing cost-effective and efficient services in a fiscally accountable and transparent way. We need to work together as a community to form a strategic vision for River Forest and collaborate with all local taxing bodies to reduce the overall taxpayer impact.
If given the opportunity to serve for a second term, I will continue to work toward the goal of fulfilling our village motto: “Proud Heritage, Bright Future.”
Carmela Corsini is an incumbent village trustee running for her second term on the River Forest Village Board.