2011 Election Issues: Edward G. Schussler, Orland Park Village Board Candidate

Nine candidates are competing for three seats in this year's race. In Patch's issue-specific questionnaire, incumbent candidate talks about how the village produced a "very tight" budget this year and explains why he thinks the Main Street Triangle project is a worthy endeavor.

Does the current board engage in enough debate and discussion before voting?

Yes. Most debate and discussion takes place in the committee meetings.

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

Goals if elected:

1. Continue a conservative fiscal policy of restricting expenditures to available revenues.

2. Work with the Illinois Department of Transportation and the Cook County Highway Department to add lanes on LaGrange Road, 143rd Street and Wolf Road.

3. Work with the Simon Company to modernize and redevelop Orland Square.

4. Continue the Main Street Redevelopment project and other projects that will make Orland Park more walkable and bicycle friendly.

5. Complete the Facilities Utilization Plan to improve efficiency and reduce expenses.

6. Improve the village website to make it more user friendly and interactive.

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

In the last 3 years the Board has reduced full time staff by 28 persons (10%). In
the last 2 years the Board has reduced operating expenses by $4.4 million.

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?

The budget for 2011 is already very tight. The Board has reduced part time employees, reduced full time employees, reduced overtime, cancelled nonessential services and programs, eliminated employee tuition reimbursement, delayed replacement of vehicles, reduced the PACE subsidy, deferred various capital improvement projects, increased fines, increased the fee for vehicle stickers, increased the recreation levy, leased space on two water towers to cell phone companies, maintained required reserves and not borrowed money to pay operating expenses.

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?

The Triangle area was blighted and in need of redevelopment. The concept is to construct a transit oriented development (TOD) that will create a vibrant downtown area for Orland Park. The funds spent so far have been used to buy land, build a train station, build parking lots, build part of the road network, build a lake/water detention area and install sanitary and storm sewers. Businesses that have to relocate from the Orland Plaza Center once court proceedings are concluded will receive a relocation allowance, and some of them, depending on the terms of their leases, will receive part of the sale proceeds.

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 TIF?

This is only the second time that the Village of Orland Park has created a TIF district. I believe both were unanimously approved by the joint review board. The first one was used to redevelop the blighted Park Place Shopping Center and was successfully terminated early.

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?

Yes. It will help local businesses grow and create more local jobs.

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?

Yes. This action was recommended by the Orland Park Police Department.

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?

No. Several years ago residents approved a referendum to purchase and preserve open space land. The property that was sold to the Orland Fire District at market value was not purchased with open lands bond funds. This was excess land that the village had owned for many years. The village buys and sells land on a case by case basis. Sale of this single parcel does not set a precedent.

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

This issue must be decided by referendum. If there is a referendum I will support whatever the majority decides.

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

It is important for a board to have a mix of experienced members and new members.

Do you have any past arrests and/or convictions?

No