The Citizens for Accountable Leadership team knows that citizens expect and deserve quality village service delivery that is responsive, user-friendly and cost-effective. We need to stretch tax dollars and target revenue sources other than property taxes to fund service needs. Expanded online and improved in-person service delivery will help meet the needs of a wide array of stakeholders, from the resident with a permit request for a new porch, to the entrepreneur who wants to open a new business.
We believe that in an era of continued fiscal challenges, we must spur innovative solutions through process improvements, technology utilization and sound business practices. These efforts do not need to start with the proverbial reinvention of the wheel, but rather with a comprehensive look, nationwide, at examples of innovative service delivery that are deemed best-in-class by other municipalities or businesses.
For more efficient and cost-effective service delivery to citizens, we see an opportunity to forge cooperation with other Oak Park taxing bodies. We pledge to begin the necessary conversations to target the elimination of redundant activities, thereby reducing both the overall cost of government and your tax burden.
Within village government, strategic investments in all aspects of public safety, with special emphasis on community policing and emergency response times, can continue to reduce crime rates while improving citizens’ perception of safety. We will strengthen the public and police crime-combating partnership by creating more robust opportunities for citizen interaction with public safety officials. Additionally, with even stronger crime-fighting partnerships between Oak Park and police personnel in neighboring communities, we will be able to spot trends sooner, respond proactively and create the safest community possible.
To help slow or reduce the need for property taxes, we will target public infrastructure improvements that have potential for fostering private sector investments — thereby increasing alternative revenues for the village. Furthermore, prioritization of public works investments that extend the life of streets, sidewalks and alleys is in our economic interest and vital to creating the framework for moving selective economic development forward.
Signage related to parking must be simplified. Residents and visitors shouldn’t need a law degree to understand parking regulations. User-friendly enhancements are long overdue and must be implemented to improve shopping, entertainment and dining experiences. We must also address the parking needs for multi-family residences.
To create partnerships necessary to succeed in the 21st century, we will create ad hoc task forces of citizens with particular expertise in assessing areas not under the purview of the standing village volunteer boards and commissions, such as budget trends and departmental processes.
These are just a few examples of how we intend to emphasize quality village services.
On April 5, a vote for Johnson, Salzman and Tucker will assure we keep Oak Park moving forward. Visit www.votecal.com to learn more about our vision and commitment for Oak Park.
Ray Johnson, Adam Salzman and Bob Tucker are running as the Citizens for Accountable Leadership slate of candidates in the April 5 election. They’re competing for three open spots on the Oak Park village board, against independents Lewis Carmichael and Lynn Kessen.