2011 Election Issues: Rich Kelly, Orland Park Village Board Candidate

Nine candidates are competing for three seats in this year's race. spoke with Patch about keeping businesses from Orland Plaza, towing vehicles and being careful with local deals.

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

I feel the current board does not engage in enough debate and discussion before voting. Some of the trustees seem to be a “rubber stamp” for their leader. There are a few trustees that are independent thinkers but we need more. That is why I am running as an Independent Candidate.

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?

As I stated in the first questionnaire the biggest problem facing Orland Park is the raising property tax levy. The next biggest problem is The Main Street Triangle Project. Orland Plaza at 143rd and LaGrange Road with successful businesses such as Randy’s Market, Orland Bakery, Lang Lee, Bloomingfields, Miroballi, and many more are planned to be razed. I feel that these businesses were not treated properly in the planning of this redevelopment project. We need these businesses to stay in Orland Park, not chase them away. The more businesses we have in Orland Park the less property tax dollars homeowners will have to pay.

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?

Trustees raised the price for vehicle stickers 100% for passenger and motorcycles plus 1000% for seniors, which is predicted to be an increase of about $544,000 in vehicle sticker fees. I find this unacceptable; I would not raise vehicle sticker’s fees.

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?

In order to plug a $1.8 million budget gap I would lower the budget by examining each line item to determine which would be the best to reduce and not cause disruption in village services. An example of this is Fiscal Year 2011 Proposed Budget Account Number 029-0000-499.84-98 Miscellaneous $1,000,000.

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 that?

In question number 2 I stated how I feel about the Main Street Triangle Project but I would like to add that small businesses are the backbone of our economy. Orland Park Village must be aggressive in attracting new businesses. This will have a dual effect, creating more jobs and lowering the property tax bill.

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?

TIF districts are being misused. Every time an area is declared a TIF district it takes money away from our schools. TIF should only be used in extreme cases with a financial benefit to schools and community.

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?

Awarding contracts to local vendors with a competitive price is beneficial to our community. We should support our local businesses. The trustees must be more careful in awarding the bids; they gave a $57,168 pact to a phony minority owned business for landscaping work at the Metra Station the centerpiece of the Main Street Triangle Development Project that went to federal court.

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 not support impounding a car that was in an accident involving damage to the vehicle, which will cost the owner $500 to retrieve.

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?

I do agree that selling “open space” may set a precedent which would result in loss of open space land. Any sale of open space land should only be done when there is no other option and will benefit the community more than the open space. I am a member of the Sierra Club so I am very conservative regarding the sale of any open space.

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

The Orland Fire Protection District has its own elected board which oversees the operations of the fire district. I would not want the village to control the fire district. The village has enough responsibilities running Orland Park.

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

I would support term limits for trustees and village president because we have good candidates willing to take on the responsibilities of the offices. I believe it is good to get new and fresh ideas in the in the operation of our village.

Do you have any past arrests and/or convictions?

I do not have any past arrests and/or convictions.