Arlington Heights Patch Follow-Up: Thomas Hayes, Candidate for Mayor

Term Limits:

I believe that term limits are secondary to the major issues the Village Board is currently dealing with such as aging infrastructure, flooding, Emerald Ash Borer disease, unfunded pension liabilities, the need for a new police station, and navigating our economic recovery. That being said, I believe that the terms of our elected officials are, and should be, decided by the voters each and every time they enter the voting booth. It is my opinion that mandated term limits force dedicated public servants out of office and diminish the critical historical perspective they provide to the decision-making process. Any change to our long established form of government should be decided by the people through the referendum process. Should a properly worded referendum on the ballot pass, I will fully support the people's decision.

Example of Background that Qualifies You for Mayor/Village President:

As a military veteran myself, I am proud to have served as a member of the Drive to Revive Memorial Park (now the Veterans Memorial) Committee since its formation in the Spring of 2007.

Memorial Park is the oldest park in Arlington Heights and the only park dedicated exclusively to honoring the service and sacrifice of our veterans and their families. After more than a century of service to the community, Memorial Park was in dire need of renewal. Driven by that common goal, the committee encouraged and enthusiastically obtained both creative and financial assistance from a wide variety of sources in keeping with the philosophy that the community be an integral part of the collaborative process.

Despite the economic downturn, our dream became a reality on Veterans Day 2008 when the newly designed park was rededicated. On Veterans Day 2011, Memorial Park was substantially completed when the Eternal Flame sculpture that serves as the focal point of the park’s central plaza was unveiled.

A prime example of what can be accomplished when we work together and don’t care who gets the credit, Memorial Park has been transformed into a living history of our community’s military history and a place to properly honor and remember the service and sacrifice of our veterans and their families.

Vision for the Future of Arlington Heights:

As I have gone door to door over the past six months, the most common thing I hear is that people love it in Arlington Heights. While we can always do better, I’m proud of the quality of life we have established together over the years and the reputation our community has earned as a model for others to follow. That’s why my vision for our community is the same as yours – to keep Arlington Heights a great place to live and work for years to come. A place where people feel safe to open their door to strangers. The City of Good Neighbors.

I believe that common vision is also shared by the many past, present, and future leaders of this community that have endorsed my candidacy, and I am grateful for their support and encouragement.

While I pledge to work together with all of our community partners to further enhance our quality of life, I do not see the need for any sweeping changes and will not make promises that cannot be kept. However, as Mayor, I will listen and be sensitive to the needs and concerns of our residents and businesses, and be willing to explore positive changes for the betterment of our community.

Open Statement: To the Voters of Arlington Heights

I believe the quality of life in Arlington Heights is second to none. I am running for Mayor because I want to not only preserve, but with your help, enhance that quality of life in the months and years to come.

After attending West Point and serving on active U.S. Army duty, we returned home in 1983 and chose to raise our family in Arlington Heights. Like countless other parents, we quickly became part of the fabric of this community through volunteer service.

I have been honored to serve as one of your Village Trustees for the past 22 years, including the last 14 as President Pro Tem. As such, I have had the opportunity to develop the deep understanding of the issues affecting Arlington Heights and to establish the relationships with our community partners that are going to be so critical to hitting the ground running on day one.

While we have successfully weathered the recent economic storm, we must continue to provide a high level of essential services at the lowest possible cost to the taxpayer. We can only do that with a thriving business community.

While we can always do better, the assertion by one of my opponents that, “Arlington Heights doesn’t seem to want business” is just not supported by the facts:

• the Village fared better than the metropolitan Chicago area, state, and nation in reporting a decline in the unemployment rate at the end of 2012 to 6.3%

• 113 new businesses and 465 new jobs were added in Arlington Heights in 2012

• the vacancy rate for downtown retail space has declined from 14% in 2008 to 12% in 2012 with an increase in retail sales over the same time period from $977 million to about $1 billion   

The assertion by that same opponent that the Village “doesn’t have a vision for itself” is also not supported by the facts. Although I can’t take credit for the vision of those who came before me, I am proud to say that I took an active part in executing the vision that created the vibrant, model downtown other communities have sought to replicate.

After serving this great community for 22 years, I can tell you that there is no greater aspiration for me than to serve as your next Mayor, and I hope that you will give me that opportunity on April 9th.