Brenda Sandoval: 2025 candidate for Carpentersville village president

Bio

Office Sought: Carpentersville village president

City: Carpentersville

Age: 40

Occupation: Branch manager

Previous offices held: Current village trustee

Why are you running for this office? Is there a particular issue that motivates you? Also, what makes you the best candidate for the position?

I am running for office because I believe Carpentersville needs change. I would like to see more diverse representation and fair leadership. I am a daughter of Carpentersville and want the best for my neighbors and our future.

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

The most serious issue still facing our community is the lack of diverse representation. It needs to start from the top with all levels of government and village administration seeking a more inclusive community input and involvement.

How would you describe the state of your community's finances? What should be the top priorities for spending during the next few years? Are there areas of spending that need to be curtailed?

Carpentersville's finances are currently in a good spot. We have not needed to raise taxes but have still been able to improve the infrastructure village wide.

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?

The most important projects that need to be addressed are on the east side of Carpentersville. We have already budgeted for the 2025 projects that need our immediate attention. Some of these projects relate to the common flooding areas around town. In the coming years I would like us to focus on adding more streetlights to the east side for better visibility and safety.

Describe your leadership style and explain how you think it will be effective in producing effective actions and decisions with your village board.

My leadership style is an open-door policy. I like to hear ideas and input from various sources to ensure that we have the best data to make informed decisions. If someone comes to me with a problem, I will ask them to bring a possible solution as well. Inclusive leadership that listens to employees and residents alike from all walks of life will guide our village in the right direction.

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

Open transparency from our board meetings to foster community engagement and promote participation. Some ways we can do this is by sharing the board meeting recordings via YouTube, as so many other government entities are already doing. This way the residents will still know what is happening in Carpentersville even if they cannot attend the meetings in person.