2013 Election Profile: Judy Sollinger

Address: 100 block of E. Jefferson, Oswego

Campaign contact information: jsollinger@aol.com

Family: Married to Richard Sollinger

Two adult children: Steven Sollinger – Major - USAF Judge Advocate General’s Office;  Stacey Sollinger – Resides in Minnesota

Education: East Aurora High School, Aurora University, Waubonsee Community College

Occupation: Self-employed Real Estate Broker associated with Charles Rutenberg Realty

Why are you seeking office?

My husband and I have lived in the “Heart of Old Oswego” for over forty years.  We raised our family here and are proud to call Oswego home.  We have a quality of life that is unmatched by any other and I want to maintain that quality of life for our residents. 

What set you apart from other candidates?

Having lived in the Village for over forty years and volunteered in many capacities, I am able to provide historical knowledge while promoting new ideas.  I understand that the role of a Village Trustee is to set policy and empower the professional staff to serve the public.  

What will be your single most important priority if you get elected?

Promote economic growth with quality development to create jobs and expand our property tax base.  One of the bullet points in the Village’s Strategic Plan states:  “Innovative industrial, professional and commercial growth advances and sustains our economic vitality.”  New business growth creates new jobs, increased revenue and broadens our tax base helping to ease the tax burden on our residents.

What do you consider to be the main issues facing the Village of Oswego today?

1. Excessive property taxes and diminished property values.
2. We currently do not have a long-range capital funding program with a viable funding source in place to ensure that our infrastructure needs are met for future residents.
3. Lack of living-wage jobs in the Village.

Going forward, what can the Village do to help improve the state of current businesses and work to attract new ones? How responsible should the Village be in regards to helping new businesses get off the ground, so to speak?

To assist our current businesses, I believe we should continue to promote “Shop Local” programs, create a destination shopping district for our downtown and secure economic growth through a business-friendly environment.

The Village levied the same dollar amount in the 2012 tax levy as they did in 2011, resulting in a very low increase for Oswego homeowners. Yet homeowners say they are still being taxed too high: what suggestions do you have to help ease taxpayer burden on Oswego homeowners?

Promote our local businesses and recruit quality businesses and industry to the Village to expand our tax base.  I will continue to promote intergovernmental cooperation knowing that taxpayers save money when local units of government work together on public projects.