Say Hello to Arlington Heights Mayoral Candidate Thomas Hayes

Thomas Hayes, an Arlington Heights resident of nearly 30 years and longtime village board member, said he is ready to take the torch to lead the Village of Arlington Heights as its next mayor. 

"I’ve been fortunate enough to be elected six times and I think that’s an indication people are happy with the things I’ve done," said Hayes. 

A 22-year Trustee, Hayes has been  right-hand-man, serving as the Vice-Mayor for the last 13 years.

Now, with more than two decades of experience, Hayes wants to take over and be the village's next leader. 

“I’ve hopefully contributed at least a small part to the quality of life residents in Arlington Heights enjoy,” said Hayes, “And I hope to preserve that for years to come.” Hayes said his campaign will focus on preserving quality of life in Arlington Heights.

“I don’t really want to say if it’s not broke don’t fix it,” Hayes said, “But going door to door I’ve found people are really happy here, they love Arlington Heights.”

Still, the mayoral candidate said that doesn’t mean there are not improvements that could be made. “No one is perfect and the village board is not perfect,” said Hayes, “So we need to continue to do our part to make this a great place to live and work.”

To uphold the quality of life for residents and better the community, Hayes said, he would launch an aggressive business attraction program in Arlington Heights.

“We’ve been doing as much as we can,” Hayes said of the current board, “But I think we can be more aggressive in our approach while still being fiscally responsible.”

Hayes was part of the village board who vote earlier this month approved an increase in property taxes. “Residents don’t like it, I’m a resident and I don’t like it, but we rely on sales taxes.”

To curb the property tax rate, Hayes would look to bring in new businesses to Arlington Heights. More businesses would increase sales tax revenues for the village. Hayes said, “The more we can improve sales tax revenue the better we can keep the property tax the same.”

That has been a challenge in these hard economic times, Hayes said, but a challenge he would be ready to tackle if elected mayor this spring.

Adequately staffing the village’s planning and community development department would be one way, Hayes sad, he would attract and retain new businesses in Arlington Heights.

According to Hayes, a staff increase would help the department take on its day-to-day responsibilities as well as focus on bringing in new businesses. Which in turn, Hayes said, would increase sale tax revenues and allow the village to level- off property tax rates. 

Hayes said, “It may end up costing us some money but sometimes you have to spend money to make money.” The planning and community development department is the only department, Hayes said, that could make the village money.

With decades of experience and strong relationships within the village’s government, Hayes said, if elected, he would know what to do and how to do it.

“I do think it’s helpful to not only have the knowledge of the issues but also the knowledge of how we go about things and know the village’s objectives and vision,” said Hayes.

Hayes said he made the decision to run for village board president after Mayor Arlene Mulder announce she would not seek another term in September.

“I can’t say it’s always been my goal to be mayor,” Hayes said, “It’s just always been to make [Arlington Heights] the best place it can be for the community.”

Mulder has led the Village of Arlington Heights since 1991 and Hayes has been by her side, on the village board for all 22 of those years.

Hayes said, “I do think I’m the best person qualified to continue the quality of life people have enjoyed under the mayor’s leadership.”

There is no science to that, Hayes said, people love Arlington Heights because it’s Arlington Heights. With more than two decades of service dedicated to the village, Hayes said, he has helped develop the community to make Arlington Heights what is it today.

“I think it’s very important for the next mayor to have a great understanding of how all that comes together,” said Hayes.

In what's currently a two-party race, Hayes faces newcomer, Ron Drake, the former mayor of a Phoenix suburb in the April 2013 consolidated election.