Village Free Press Candidate Questionnaire_2019

Maywood Trustees
Please submit answers (attached in a MS Word file or in the body of the email) to
thevillagefreepress@gmail.com by no later than at anytime on Feb. 21).

Name: JoAnn Murphy

Age: 56
Preferred contact: (708)344-4463 or Joann.debock.murphy@gmail.com
Previous political experience: Deputy Village Clerk (Maywood), Aldermanic Aide (Chicago),
Student’s for Washington (Chicago)
Previous community experience: Member of Liquor Control Commission (Maywood),
NOMCO (Board Member), Maywood Rotary (Board Member),
Occupation: DHS Transportation Security Officer

Education: Certified Municipal Clerk, Associates in General Studies

Please answer the following questions to the best of your ability. Full disclosure: parts, or
all, of your answers are likely be published:

Infrastructure

• In January 2018, the board voted unanimously to establish a commission of experts and
community stakeholders that would explore the feasibility of the village tapping into a water
source in Maywood that officials say runs directly underneath the Prairie Path and flows
through to DuPage County. If such a measure is implemented, Maywood would no longer be
reliant on Melrose Park for transmitting water — a service for which the village pays Melrose
Park $1.8 million a year, according to an estimate by Maywood Village Manager Willie
Norfleet. Since its creation, however, there is no evidence that the committee has met. Do you
agree with the committee’s formation? If so, how will you ensure that the committee actually
meets regularly and do what it was created to do?

I believe time would be better spent on a committee to investigate the crime that took place
when officials agreed to put the Village in debt by agreeing to pay for a brand new pumping
station in Melrose Park through 1998 Bonds and then agreeing to pay Melrose Park to
transmit the water back to us.
The motion for the committee stated it was a water line that ran under the Path. If that is the
case, we have probably already agreed to the easement, which is probably already part of
what we are paying for.

• How do you propose that the village fund much-needed infrastructure projects, such as long
overdue roadway and alley improvements, that are not eligible for alternative forms of
revenue, such as TIF funding; and county, state and/or federal grants?
 The only way to fund projects without these forms of revenue is through an expanded
commercial base. We need to bring in new businesses which could provide various tax
revenue. Outside of this, I feel the only other way would be a special property tax assessment.
Then funds could be generated for the Village with a special property transfer fee.

Revenue

• For the last several years, the board has approved 3 to 4 percent annual levy increases —
despite staff recommending increases that are higher — in an effort to address residents’
property tax burden. A major result of these minimal levy increases, however, has been that the
village has forgone potentially millions of dollars in much-needed annual tax revenue over that
time period. That translates into the village having to make emergency purchases, such as the
acquisition of a nearly $1 million aerial ladder truck for the fire department, by taking out
loans that only add to the village’s debt load. How would you balance the need to collect tax
revenue with legitimate concerns about residents’ property tax burden?

I believe the Board should follow the direction of the professionals they hired to get the job
done. As we know, for various reasons, many of our residents do not sit through formal Board
meetings. In order to balance the needs with concerns, I would recommend having a series of
seriously advertised town-hall meetings prior to any tax-levy increase to make the residents
aware of our burden and spelling out what entities make-up their property taxes. We should
be advising the residents to confront all legislative bodies with their disapproval. I find when
people are involved / better educated on a subject they become proactive and not reactive. I
have to believe most home owners do not want a plighted infrastructure which will cost them
more in the long run. We can’t keep kicking the bucket down the road.

Finance

• What are some of your ideas for addressing Maywood’s annual deficit? It’s low credit rating?

My idea is for the Board to follow the recommendations of the professionals they hired. If
there is any doubt on ones capabilities then they should be replaced. The annual deficit will
remain as long as professional advice is not heeded. Unfortunately, property taxes are our
biggest source of revenue and unless we resolve our deficit and secure our infrastructure by
taking the tax to where it needs to be for the short term, we are just asking property owners to
continue to put water in a bucket full of holes. Stabilizing our expenditures with realistic
income will in turn increase our credit rating.

Trust

• What are your thoughts on the level of trust that residents have in village officials to
responsibly serve their interests? Do you think that trust between residents and village officials
needs to be improved? If so, how would you work to help improve it?

I believe the trust level has improved in recent years but that it still needs a lot of work. I
would work to improve it by seriously advertising public hearings, events, board meetings, and
 all other activities that take place. I feel information is disseminated haphazardly. Residents
are informed only a day or two, moments before or even after an event has occurred. The
Village need to make communications with the residents a priority.

• The population of Maywood has changed rather dramatically in the last 10 years, with the
village having experienced a significant infusion of Hispanic residents. For instance, the
student population of both Districts 89 and 209 are more than 50 percent Hispanic. Do you
believe that this growing demographic is adequately represented in the village? If not, what are
some of your ideas for reaching out to the Hispanic community in Maywood?

I feel the Hispanic community is as represented within the legislative bodies in direct
relationship to their interest in being represented. As far as employment opportunities, I can
only assume they are not, for the broader community has a history of political hiring making
few opportunities for those not politically connected. When one considers family units and not
population, I feel the Village staff probably incorporates a respectable representation of the
Hispanic community at this time.
Just as I stated earlier, serious advertising of Village events must be a priority. With the
Hispanic population around 35% in Maywood, bilingual advertising is essential. We need to
all be working for the greater good of the Village and we need to embrace all our people, for
our people are our most valuable asset.

Business & Economic Development

• What is your position on the issuance of Class M liquor licenses for businesses that may want
to bring video gambling into Maywood?

The Class M liquor licenses was created as a work-around for those establishments that only
want to pursuit video gambling as a business. The criteria for a gaming license is that one
needs to hold a liquor license. I have no problem if an establishment wishes to include video
gambling as part of their business plan but I am against approving essentially “Video
Gambling Halls”. If one wishes to bring this to our Village, I would require them to establish
a full or limited-service restaurant in compliance with other classes of liquor licenses.
Currently gambling is a requirement of the Class M Liquor license. Our liquor codes do not
allow for any café/bistro style (no kitchen) establishment to be created unless they have
gambling.

• In October 2018, the board voted 5 to 2 in favor of a resolution in support of granting National
Cycle Inc. a Cook County Sustainable Emergency Relief Class 6b property tax incentive that
company officials estimated could translate into around $1.4 million in tax savings over 10
years— despite the very vocal objections to the tax break made by Manager Willie Norfleet,
who said that the company’s savings would potentially mean higher tax bills for residents.
How do you manage the need to provide property tax relief for businesses with the need to
make sure that already overburdened homeowners are not bearing even more of the property
tax burden than they need to?
 Tax relief for businesses is just as important as it is for residents but most residents don’t have
as many avenues of relief as businesses appear to have. I would manage the needs of all as
recommended by staff upon my concerns being addressed. I am not a professional on city
management and would not pretend to be. In general, this particular tax relief I was against.
Basically we gave them relief, burdening our property owners, and are paying for the
businesses expansion after arranging for them to get the property at little to no cost! This is
not right.

• What is your understanding of Maywood’s reputation in certain industry circles (i.e., retail,
manufacturing, etc.) as a place to do business? Do you think Maywood can improve its
reputation and, if so, how?

I believe our reputation is that of dysfunction. In the past, interested parties where subject to a
variety of unprofessionalism at the Board level. I feel with new leadership making its way on
the Board this should resolve itself as the voters elect representatives that will only act in their
best interest and not self-serving. Word will travel fast as things improve.

Governance

• What is your understanding of the role and functions of the Maywood Board of Trustees?

The Board of Trustee is the legislative body that develops and approves ordinances and resolutions
governing the community. The Trustees approve revenue generating activities and expenditures in
support of the operations of the Village. The Board hires and provides direction to legal counsel,
contractors and the Village Manager who oversees all Village Departments. The Board of Trustees
must always take into consideration the Village resident’s best interest in any decision they make while
complying with our municipal codes.

• Do you think that the current village manager form of government is sufficient? If not, would
you support switching to a full-time mayor form of government?

Yes, the manager form of government is necessary. Individuals are elected for various reasons
usually they are not qualified in city management. We need stable experienced administrators
advising the Board.

• From what you can tell, is there currently a system in place that effectively evaluates the
performance of village administrators and employees? If not, do you think one needs to be
implemented?

I know there is an evaluation process, but from my experience as Deputy Clerk, compliance
was loosely enforced. I have faith that Mr. Norfleet has corrected this by now.

• Do you believe that key village committees and commissions, particularly the board’s finance
committee and the village’s water commission and economic development commission, are
active and/or effective enough? If not, how might you help them become more active and
effective?
 I believe the finance committee has not been active since the current mayor took office 6 years
ago. I can’t remember when the economic development commission (EDC) last met. If my
recollection is correct, during the 31/2 years I was in the Clerk’s office the EDC never met. So
no, they are not effective and making monthly meetings mandatory would help with this. The
water commission would be effective if the Board would trust their recommendations. I feel
that commission is always overridden tying their hands. I appreciate their stamina in the
cause.

Public Safety

• Do you believe that Maywood is, generally speaking, a safe community? If so, what are some
things that make this so? If not, what are some ideas you have to make the village safer?

Yes, in the nearly 20 years of living here I have never felt in danger. The history of
generations of families committed to staying make this a safer place.

• Do you believe that the village is spending too little, just enough or too much money to settle
police misconduct and workman’s compensation cases? If you believe too much or too little
money, what are some of your ideas for getting those expenditures to a level you believe is
sufficient?

I am unable to answer this due to not knowing what the norm is for other Villages with similar
demographics. Percentage wise, I can only assume we are no different.

Miscellaneous

• If elected, what are the three things that you would do as a member of the Maywood Board of
Trustees immediately upon your swearing-in (and ‘immediately’ means within your first two
months as a board member)? Be as specific as possible.

When elected I will first meet with the Village Manager and department heads to understand
their challenges and current situations. I will then review all current contracts for an
understanding of the terms and conditions. After that I will reach out to my constituents
ensuring they are aware of all public meetings so they know when and where they can be
heard by all their representative in the Village.