2011 Election Issues: Patricia Gira, Orland Park Village Board Candidate

Nine candidates are competing for three seats in this year's race. Incumbent candidate offered her view on Will County's taxes against Cook's, using TIF well and misconceptions in the Main Street Triangle case.

Does the current board engage in enough debate?

Board members generally research agenda items with staff in preparation for committee meetings. After developing an informed opinion, full discussion and debate take place at committee. The committee is a less formal proceeding. The public is invited to participate and often presents information to the committee and then again to the full board.  This is the process, but certainly attendance at these meetings would resolve any questions some may have.

You had the opportunity in the last questionnaire to name the biggest problem facing Orland Park.  Are there others? How do you plan to resolve them?

I would like to continue efforts to diversify our tax base, specifically within the Orland Parkway corridor.  Cook County puts a huge property tax burden on businesses which makes the corridor more attractive because it is in Will County.

St Xavier, Horton Insurance and ATP have established the area for future business development.

Trustees and staff plugged a $1.8 M budget gap this fall by increasing certain fees and fines including vehicle stickers, without cutting staff.  Is there anything you would do differently?

We have reduced full time staff by 28 employees, mainly by not filling positions vacated by retirement. We have a very professional staff and they have been asked to take on additional responsibilities to help the village through this difficult time.  We have been able to continue to provide for our residents because cuts made were done in a way to have minimal impact on the residents of our community and the services they expect. The board also cut $4.4 million in the last 2 years from our budget.

The phrases “fiscally conservative” and “efficient use of taxpayer money” comes up regularly on the campaign trail.  How do you propose keeping a tighter budget that doesn’t burden taxpayers while keeping Orland Park accessible, competitive and desirable?

We have a tight budget. The entire board is fiscally conservative. Every department experienced cuts during the budget approval process.  These are the “in” terms in campaigning today but without accurate information they are often abused and misused.

The Main Street Triangle project – and eminent domain lawsuit – has divided many residents.  Is it a worthwhile use of taxpayers’ money?  How can the village help these businesses get started?

There are many misconceptions about the Metra Triangle.  The village is planning to develop a pedestrian oriented, vibrant city center where a blighted development once stood.  Eminent Domain pertains only to the section of the property where Ravinia and also Jefferson streets will extend north across 143^rd St.  The property owner has requested we purchase the entire property. The challenge is to come to a resolution with the property owner, who is a willing seller. We are not willing to pay more than market price for property. The village has invested in land, roads, a commuter station, infrastructure and parking to serve the train station.   The Plaza was invited to reorient to the development, but clearly within their right to decline. High end housing will be offered as rentals but designed so that they can be sold as single units should the housing market change. The village has been working with the tenants of the plaza to determine their moving expenses, which are the villages’ responsibility. Staff has also worked to provide these businesses with alternative locations within the village that would meet their needs. The village is working with the tenants and we hope to have resolution soon.

What are your thoughts on the village’s use of TIF districts? Has the village used them effectively? Why or why not? Would you do anything differently with a TIF?

The first TIF the village approved, Orland Park Place, was unanimously approved by a joint review board composed of representatives of all taxing bodies represented in the village.  That TIF was a tremendous success as is evidenced by the vibrant retail district that exists now where the “dead mall” once stood.  The TIF was retired early.  We now have another TIF, again approved by the joint review board. It has not moved as quickly as I would have liked, but when complete, it too will be a vibrant, walkable city center that will extend an identity to our community and contribute to the quality of life we enjoy in Orland Park.

The board unanimously approved a resolution this fall that gives the board the power to award village contracts to local vendors, even if they haven’t offered the lowest bid (within limits). Is this a good policy? Why or why not?

This action does not preclude the bid process in contracts offered by the village, and it is within reasonable, specific limits. It gives local businesses an opportunity to benefit from the community they support and perhaps grow their business in the process.

The board on March 7 voted to add reasons for which police can impound the car of an alleged offender. These include, but are not limited to: motor vehicle accidents involving damage to the vehicle and public indecency. It costs the alleged offender $500 to retrieve their impounded car.  Do you support expanding the reasons for impoundment?

I do support this recommendation by our Police Department. We have been examining ways to discourage criminal behavior in our village. Another we recently approved was impounding a car when it is shown to have been used in the commission of retail theft. If that law discourages individuals from targeting our shopping districts for theft, I believe it is a good law.

When the village sold “open space” land to the Orland Fire Protection District last summer some residents worried that it would set a precedent that would result in loss of open space land.  Do you agree with those residents?

We did not set a precedent by selling a very small parcel of land to the Fire Protection District.  It is a mistake to call that property “Open Space Land” which in this context refers to very specific parcels that were purchased with the proceeds from bonds which were approved by Orland Park residents in a referendum.  The parcel that was sold was owned by the village long before the Open Lands referendum was approved.

Would you support a referendum to bring the Orland Fire Protection District back under the control of the village? Why?

I would support the community’s wishes if a referendum was approved.  There are many issues to be resolved regarding this proposal, not the least of which is that Orland Park is served by 2 additional fire districts, Palos in the north area of our village and Mokena in the Orland Parkway corridor. Should those residents be taxed by 2 districts? How do you get all village residents the same service?  That is just the tip of a very complex issue.

Would you support term limits for trustees and village president? Why?

No, I think the residents have an opportunity to limit an individual’s term every 4 years when they are up for reelection.

Do you have any past arrests and/or convictions? 

No.