Christina Neitzke-Troike, Homer Glen Mayoral Candidate

HOMER GLEN, IL — Christina Neitzke-Troike is a candidate for the Village of Homer Glen's Mayor. There are two candidates running for mayor.

The consolidated election is April 4.

You can find Neitzke-Troike's answers to the Patch candidate questionnaire below:

Name:

Christina Neitzke - Troike

Age (as of Election Day):

42

Town/City of Residence:

Homer Glen

Office sought:

Mayor

Party Affiliation (if a partisan race):

It is a non-partisan race, but I am a Republican

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

My husband is a Commander for the Will County Sheriffs office

Education:

Associate Degree

Occupation:

GM of Konows Corn Maze

Campaign Website or Facebook:

https://christinaforhomerglen....

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office:

Township Trustee
Village Trustee
Village Clerk
Republican Precinct Committeeman.

The most pressing issues facing our (board, district, etc.) are _______, and this is what I intend to do about them.

My priorities are protecting taxpayers, keeping our community safe, tackling the water issue, preserving our green/open spaces, and attracting new upscale businesses.

I will make the budgeting process more transparent, seek community input on budget priorities and I will put our residents’ safety first. I will work to get water bills under control by calling IAW to the table along with other communities involved. Our residents need an explanation, and they need a more affordable water plan moving forward. I have already opened the door for communication.

In addition, I am committed to ensuring that future growth in Homer Glen is done responsibly, with an emphasis on maintaining the original vision of the community and preserving open space and the amenities residents have come to expect.

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

I am running because I care about this community. This is my home. It is a great place to live but there are some challenges we need to address and I believe I am the candidate best qualified to implement the changes we need. It is not secret we both want a Town Center. However, her Town Center is planned to be funded by our local government and taxpayers. Private investors and developers to generate more tax revenue for our community would be a vision for how to fund the Town Center. We should not gamble taxpayer dollars.

Additionally, if my opponent becomes Mayor, she will have a conflict with holding the liquor commissioner position. A licensed attorney would need to be hired to handle all liquor/gaming licenses, increasing our attorney fees. My opponent and I have a different demeanor as well. I have the capability to have a discussion with any resident, business owner and/or Municipality without argument. I can and will remain steadfast in fighting for our residents’, but I refuse to lose control and tarnish our community’s reputation.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)? Or what changes would you like to see?

Our population has remained about the same from 2010-2020. We have not lost population, but we have not gained any population either. We need to attract new residents to our community all while keeping our current residents happy. The Board has lost order. I take pride in my ability to bring people together. I firmly believe our residents deserve more upscale businesses and I am committed to bringing those businesses here. We also need to make sure we are doing a better job of promoting our community and attracting more people and businesses to it.

Describe the other issues or ideas that define your campaign platform:

I want to invest in the safety of our community, and I also want to work with planners and developers to build a town center that offers shopping and entertainment options. I am 100 percent committed to improving the quality of life for current and future Homer Glen residents.

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

I have been involved in the Homer Glen community for a long time. I helped start the Village of Homer Glen Veterans event. I founded the Ability Awareness Committee of Homer Glen. I also serve as the President of Homer Cares 501c3 for special needs families.

I also have a served as Homer Township Trustee from 2009-2015 and as Village of Homer Glen Trustee from 2015-2019 and I currently serve as the Homer Glen Village Clerk. My track record of service to this community speaks for itself.

Why should voters trust you?

I am a conservative who cares for all residents; regardless of whom they voted for in the Presidential election, I have the ability to work with everyone. My values align with the values of this community. Voters know me. They see my efforts of making this community whole. They know community service is very important to me because they have seen it with all of the volunteer work I have done during the last 20 years.

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

I think getting our water bills under control would be a big win for all of us. Communication with our residents, bring civility back, maintaining our vision and bringing more restaurant options will allow me to leave office with my head held high. I refuse to play into the rhetoric and choose to focus on the mission.

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the handling of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking

Governments spend money because there are legitimate services government must provide. But this does not mean we should just spend money for the sake of spending money. We need to make sure we are making wise investments with taxpayer money. I am committed to protecting taxpayers and making sure we are making fiscally sound decisions on behalf of our residents.

Do you support the Illinois assault weapons ban, and would you support a local assault weapons ban in this community?

This legislation is being challenged in court. I am dubious this legislation will withstand constitutional muster when it is all said and done. The best way to keep our community safe is to invest in law enforcement and to make sure they have the right resources to do their job. I also believe in the 2 nd amendment.

Do you think the current board has done enough to support racial equality? If not, what specifically should be done to do so?

I am absolutely committed to making sure everyone who applies to the Village Board is treated with respect regardless of race and I will make sure every resident who speaks at a Village Board meeting is also treated with dignity as well. Hate and racism are not what Homer Glen is about and definitely not what I am about.

Do you support the SAFE-T Act? Why or why not?

I do not support many of the elements of the SAFE-T Act. Right now, there is a TRO on the most controversial aspects of the law. It really is in the court's hand at this point in time. Cash bail is part of our Constitution, and so there is a strong chance the courts will rule the ban on cash bail unconstitutional.

What are your thoughts on the crime rate in your community, and what more can be done to combat crime — especially violent crime — in town?

My focus will be on making sure our police officers have the right resources to protect our community. Homer Glen is a safe community but we must not allow complacency to set in. We must support law enforcement and work to ensure there is a strong relationship between community residents and the officers assigned to protect them.

What is your view of the city's/village's approach to commercial and residential development?

We need to have a balance between growing our community and preserving our open spaces and the things that make our community unique. We need to facilitate and manage community growth.

When it comes to development, what are some key areas for improvement or additions you feel are most wanted by residents? What will need to be done to make this happen?

By talking with residents, there is a desire to have more shopping and dining in our community. As mayor, I will be a strong advocate for our community, and I will work to bring new businesses to our community by making sure prospective business owners know Homer Glen is open for business.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family?

No. My intention is to serve my full term.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

I played softball in my youth, and one thing my coaches always emphasized was that the name on the back of the jersey is not as important as the name on the front. In athletics, you put the team first. This philosophy has always resonated with me and as a candidate for mayor, I am focused on putting the people of Homer Glen first.

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

I have a proven record of business development. I managed Konow's Corn Maze/Zachary's Red Barn from 2013-current and worked at Homer Tree Service in the accounting department from 2011-2014. I also have managed properties for more than 10 years.

I was the SOS Children's Village lead Volunteer Organizer for Collections/Donations/drives/Events and the founder of the Pop Tab Challenge overseeing the collection of more than 4000 pounds of tabs for the Oak Lawn Ronald McDonald House. I have also been a Lockport Moose Member since 2003. I was the Chicago Ambassador for the Dragonfly Foundation (pediatric cancer). I founded the Ability Awareness Committee in Homer Glen, am the President of the Homer Cares 501c3, and advocate for many other charitable organizations.

I have a proven experience and proven commitment to public service to serve as the next mayor of Homer Glen.