Rick Gieser: 2023 candidate for Carol Stream Village President

Bio

Town: Carol Stream

Age on Election Day: 59

Occupation: Publicist

Employer: Zanies Comedy Clubs

Previous offices held: Carol Stream Village Board Trustee from 2003-2010 and 2013 to present

Q&A

Q: What do you consider the primary responsibility of the community's "chairman of the board"?

A: I believe the mayor should be the number one supporter of the village. This person should attend community functions, support local business, share important news with the residents and be a supporter of the diverse population of Carol Stream.

I currently do this with my active social media pages, membership in the Chamber of Commerce, speaking with community and youth groups and more. I update on events, share historical facts and photos, educate with information on organizations and familiarize the community about resident's and organization's accomplishments.

I am also actively involved with many local groups and organizations. I regularly invite groups and organizations to be featured during village board meetings.

I am proud to encourage and read proclamations for significant events in our village, including Pride Month proclamations.

The mayor is also the presiding officer during village board meetings. It will be my priority to attend every meeting.

Q: What is the most serious issue your community will face in the coming years and how should leaders respond to it?

A: Rising costs for services and infrastructure. The village board needs to budget for the maintenance of roads and water and sanitary sewer pipes. Additionally, the board and staff will need to prepare for the costs due to climate change. I will collaborate with staff, the village board, and other governmental bodies to analyze and reduce costs and create innovative solutions.

Q: How would you describe the state of your community's finances?

A: I would describe the village's current financial situation as optimistic.

The village has limited debt. The village pays as it goes. Elected officials always need to be ready to discuss options for new business and industry to locate in Carol Stream and to enhance revenue coming to the village.

The village board recently approved zoning to allow dispensaries in Carol Stream. Should a dispensary locate in the village, this will bring additional revenue into the community.

Q: What should be the three top priorities for spending in your community during the next four years?

A: The top three priorities should be maintenance of the infrastructure, the health and safety of the residents and retaining qualified staff.

If we can accomplish all three items, Carol Stream will continue to be a terrific place to live and work. This will also allow the village to provide additional amenities to enhance the quality of life for all.

Q: Are there areas of spending that need to be curtailed? If so, what are they?

A: At this time, I don't see anything that needs to be curtailed because the village board and staff discuss and analyze each expenditure and capital project. The board makes sure each project will benefit the community and if the village has the revenues to pay for it.

As mayor, if there is a need to curtail spending, I will work with staff and the village board to make the necessary cuts.

Q: What do you see as the most important infrastructure project you must address? Why and how should it be paid for? Conversely, during these uncertain economic times, what project(s) can be put on the back burner?

A: There are several important infrastructure projects that are ongoing or being considered in Carol Stream.

Maintaining and improving the streets is a yearly project. This work is paid for mostly with state Motor Fuel funds.

The Klein Creek erosion stabilization project has begun. This environmental project has already received grant funding, and staff and village board are discussing enhancements for the project. Additional phases of this project will continue in the coming years.

The village has an extensive bike and walking trail system. The bike paths are constructed only when funding is available. The trustees and staff discuss each infrastructure project to decide if the project is necessary, if it can be deferred and how it will be paid for.

During the pandemic the Village Board and staff reduced over $2M in projects. Should there be a need, I will work with the Village Board and staff to analyze each project and cut spending and projects.

Q: What makes you the best candidate for the job?

A: I am the best candidate for the job because I am part of the history of the village. I was born and raised here and graduated from Glenbard North High School.

I look forward to making additional improvements to the village. I am experienced as a trustee, with 18 years on the village board.

I am community-minded, volunteering with many local organizations. I am available and responsive to the needs and requests of the residents. I have worked hard to become an integral part of the community.

I support community events and activities. I am a champion on sharing the history and accomplishments of our diverse village and its residents on social media and in-person.

I will also work with staff to modernize communications for the residents and access to community services.

As a communications professional, I bring real-world expertise to a position that demands constant communications and interaction with residents, businesses and the media.

Q: What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?

A: I would like to look into creating a historic district in the old Gretna area of the village (St. Charles Road and Main Place along the Great Western Trail). This area was a pioneer farming community.

It included a train station (now located in Armstrong Park), the St. Stephen Cemetery, one acre of native prairie and the Daniel Kelley home. The cemetery is still there, but access is difficult.

The native prairie has never been grazed or tilled and is a true remnant of the community's prairie past.

The Daniel Kelley home is still standing and is currently a private business. We should look into providing access to the cemetery and prairie and preserving the old home (which was built, in part, before the Civil War) and possibly moving the train station back to its original location. We would need to work collaboratively with other governmental bodies and the business community to accomplish this goal. This could become a vital educational district in the community.