Paul McLafferty Wants to Make the North Side of Elmhurst 'As Desirable as the South Side'

• 3rd Ward candidate: Paul McLafferty
• Web site: www.McLafferty3rdward.com
• E-mail: paul@mclafferty3rdward.com
• Family: married to Lisa for 12 years, two children, ages 3 and 4
• Education: Bachelor's degree, Northern Illinois University, corporate communications; CPMR, Arizona State University
• Occupation: Operations manager, Inland Sales Group

What is the primary reason you are running for this office?

To make the north side of Elmhurst a better place to live and raise a family.

What will be your priority if elected?

Positive economic development for North York Road (Grand to York) and safe neighborhoods for our families, including sidewalks, stop/yield signs, and stronger code enforcement for rental properties and chronic nuisance violations.

What sets you apart from the other candidates?  

I have chosen to live, build a home and raise my family in the HEART of the 3rd Ward and am well aware of all of the issues faced by the residents in the ward.

How long have you lived in Elmhurst?

12 Years

What’s your favorite thing about Elmhurst?

Besides the convenience of all of the expressways and the proximity to downtown, the people are what makes Elmhurst the town it is. I consider myself very lucky to live in such a great town.

What is the biggest problem in Elmhurst?  

Currently, the biggest priority is identifying and hiring a new city manager and resolving the flooding issue.

Are there any challenges or problems in your ward? If so, what needs to be done?  

There are several: the issue of a pawn shop and other less desirable businesses on North York Road, the lack of sidewalks and stop and yield signs, especially around bus stops and  Crestview Park, code enforcement for rental properties, and the deteriorating state of the roads north of North Avenue in particular. I, along with many residents in the 3rd Ward, want to make the north side just as desirable as the south side of Elmhurst.  

With the retirement of Tom Borchert, what do you think are the most important attributes for a new city manager?

I had the opportunity to work with Tom Borchert on the Elmhurst Finance Task Force in 2009. The city will have very large shoes to fill when replacing him. Tom Borchert’s knowledge and experience and love for the city will be missed. The city will have to do its homework and choose what’s best for Elmhurst.  

We’ve heard residence of all ages, but especially seniors, say that it’s getting too expensive to live in Elmhurst. What can be done to make Elmhurst more affordable for all residents? Do you think the city will need to raise taxes again in the near future? 

There are many programs in place to assist seniors, and I would encourage the communication of such programs, which include subsidized taxi rides, various coupons, meals on wheels and programs to help with taxes.

Do you agree with other aldermen who are proposing several new TIF districts in town?

If it promotes positive economic growth on the north side of Elmhurst, I am for it.

What is working and not working in terms of economic development in Elmhurst? What, specifically, would you do to encourage business to come here?

Elmhurst has its challenges. Being close to Oakbrook Mall limits the amount of retail opportunities, so we need to focus on our strengths like manufacturing /industry and convenience to the airport and downtown.

Spring rains are right around the corner, and flooding mitigation plan could take several years to implement. In the short term, do you think the city is doing everything it can to assists residents who experience the bulk of the flooding problems last year? Will you be nervous when the rains start?

Yes, I believe the city is doing everything it can to assist residents who experienced flooding.  I have been through several floods in my life including my parent’s house last year which completely destroyed their finished basement, so I do understand the feeling of nervousness a person gets when it starts to rain.

Nearly a dozen water mains broke within a one week period this winter and, separately, failing infrastructure is listed as one of the reasons for flooding in Elmhurst. What needs to be done with infrastructure and how is the city going to pay for it?

When a water main breaks, it has to be fixed!! And tax dollars pay for it. Replacing aging infrastructure is a long and expensive undertaking and the city will have to prioritize what needs to be done first.

Do you think city officials and alderman have a good relationship with citizens of Elmhurst with regard to trust and transparency? Is there anything you would do to improve that?

If elected I will do my best to be the voice of the 3rd Ward.   I will be proactive, open, approachable and transparent while representing the residents.