2017 Election Questionnaire: Terri Ransom, Bolingbrook Trustee

Name: Terri L. Ransom

Age: 54

Town of residence: Bolingbrook

Position sought: Village Trustee

Family:

Spouse Michael, daughter Lauren and son Michael Jr.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?: No

Education:

Spelman College
Roosevelt University

Occupation: Information Technology over 20 years

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The single most pressing issue facing our village is the debt. Bolingbrook United plans to bring the village’s finances under scrutiny through an independent audit. Once we have a clear vision of the state of the village’s finances, we can develop a realistic and sustainable budget with economic development policies that benefit all residents.
As part of the budget development process, we plan to place a moratorium on the automatic raises that are currently in effect and decrease executive salaries, including those of the Trustees. Further, we will not invest in any major capital improvements that will incur additional debt without first obtaining direction and feedback from taxpayers

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

The most critical difference between Bolingbrook United Trustees and the other candidates seeking this post is our advocacy for immediate transparency and accountability of village government. We will be a voice for the residents we serve by listening to and placing value upon their concerns, interests, and desires. We will not be a “rubber-stamp” board but will, instead, thoroughly investigate, question and pursue innovative, practical solutions. In addition, we will develop a plan to tackle the current debt and rising property taxes, which is not currently being addressed.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)?

The current administration has failed to display effective foresight regarding major public investments and public asset liquidation. More than $300 million in bonds have been issued, with no return to taxpayers. The short-sighted liquidation of the public water system for a one-time cash payout resulted in high water rates that are such a cause enough for concern that the village must buy it back in order to stabilize the rates for residents. The Board has made decisions that have put us even deeper in debt and has gambled with our dollars on risky real estate deals, such as the Bolingbrook golf course and the Americana subdivision. Perhaps most importantly, the current administration has failed by losing the trust of the community.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

The foundation of Bolingbrook United is diversity, transparency and accountability. The specific issues that define our campaign platform are as follows:
1. Encourage growth and opportunity for every family, business, and neighborhood in Bolingbrook
2. Tackle the debt and rising property taxes
3. Stop politicians from profiting at the residents’ expense
4. Restore the public’s trust in our Village governmen

If you gain this position, what accomplishment would define your term in office as a success?

The primary accomplishment that would define my term as a success will be the significant decrease in the village debt. Other accomplishments will be the creation of several mechanisms to inform residents of proposals and decisions; cleaning up designated commercial properties that are currently recognized as eyesores; and establishing a community/unity facility for all teens that will offer opportunities for recreation as well as mentoring and other programs.

Please share with voters a story about wisdom gained from a mistake you made in your life or career.

Early in my career, I learned the importance of effectively working as a team. As an Account Manager in the advertising department for the Yellow Pages, I worked long hours and the job was often stress-filled. On one occasion, an ad was published for my biggest client that contained an error. When the mistake was brought to my attention, I yelled and blamed a co-worker for not catching the error. My knee-jerk reaction did not solve the problem, of course; it only exacerbated it, as it fostered tension among the team going forward. Instead of responding in the manner that I did, I should have pointed out the error to the co-worker, worked with her to identify why it happened, and provided the necessary support to ensure that such errors would be avoided in the future. I have applied the lessons from that incident to career and volunteer positions in the years since, having learned the benefits of being considerate of team members, maintaining an even temper, and collaborating with others to develop workable solutions.

Why should voters trust you?

I don’t know if it is possible, or should even be expected, to trust someone that you do not know. I can state with all sincerity that I am honest, treat others with respect, and I am worthy of the trust of the residents of Bolingbrook. However, the proof, as they say, is “in the pudding.” Real trust has to be earned. I believe that I have to earn the trust of the Bolingbrook community.

Share a quote that defines your philosophy:

“A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.” - Jackie Robinson. I believe that we were put on this earth to help each other; as human beings, we should always be looking to help someone else.

What questions should be asked of current government employees accountable to your board?

The following questions should be asked:
1. What are your plans to get the village out of the insurmountable debt we are currently facing?
2. If cuts had to be made in your department, what could you do without?
3. Do you have a plan for economic development and continued growth?
4. What does the future of Bolingbrook look like to you? Where do you see the village in five years? Ten years?

Explain your attitudes toward fiscal policy, government spending and how taxpayer dollars should be handled by your office (or board)?

The village finances should be run by a budget. There should be a yearly audit of all the finances by an outside source, and detailed proposals should be presented on all spending prior to approval. Decisions that affect the manner in which residents’ tax dollars are spent should be made with the entire community in mind, not just those who are well connected. The administrators of the village should be fiscally transparent, so that the residents can see how their tax dollars are being utilized.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I have served in various leadership roles in a variety of organizations. During my term as president of Jack and Jill of America, Inc., West Suburban Chicago Chapter, the organization provided numerous services for the community, including volunteer activities with Bolingbrook Connection, The Community Wide Black History Program, The Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry, and a Christmas party for the students in a local day care center. I have written grants to fund the technology program at a local day care center, and I have been instrumental in starting scholarships for high school seniors in two of the organizations with which I am involved. I served as Girl Scout Troop leader, and volunteer treasurer for four years for the Bolingbrook Panthers Sports Club. I have also volunteered with a variety of organizations, including the Northern Illinois Food Bank, Feed My Starving Children, March of Dimes, Ronald McDonald House Charities, Habitat for Humanity and Chicago Cares. I am one of the founding members of the SOS Investment Club, which was started in Bolingbrook in 1999 by a group of women who wanted to learn about investing. In 2014, I co-chaired the Mid-Western Region Teen Leadership Conference at Wheaton College, which hosted more than 500 teens. I have a technology background, and I currently work in the field of Information Security. For five years, I owned a franchise -- ComputerTots -- which taught computer skills to students. Through my business (which was written up in both the Bolingbrook Sun and the Indigo newspapers), I offered after-school computer programs and employed teachers from the community. The experience I have gained through these various activities and positions of leadership makes me uniquely qualified to serve as Trustee.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

The best advice ever shared with me was from my high school track and field coach, when our team qualified for the state championship. Our coach shared with us the inspirational poem, “Don’t You Quit.” The poem stresses that life is sometimes hard, and that you may feel like giving up, but you have to stick with it – whatever it is. Things may seem impossible, but you just have to give it your all. If you don’t, you’ll never know the outcome. The words from this poem have stayed with me all these years. They helped me during my races on the track team, and they help me still today.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I am a hard worker and I believe in giving 100% to anything I’m involved in. I have a heart for service and have taught both of my children those same values. I am committed to Bolingbrook; I moved here 17 years ago, when I was expecting my second child, and I believe in the future of this village. While I never thought I would ever run for public office, I decided to throw my hat into the ring because I love Bolingbrook, I didn’t like the direction in which it was headed, and I decided to try to do something about it. The more involved I get, and the more residents I spend time with, the more committed I am to being the change I want to be and giving all I can to help transform the Bolingbrook community

More via Ransom's campaign website

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