Wheeling Township Trustee Candidate: Kim Simmons

Patch wants to help you get to know your candidates for Wheeling Township trustee.

Kim Simmons

Age: 53

Family: Married to John William Simmons, one child John Tyreese Hudson, Sr., one grandchild, John Tyreese Hudson, Jr.

Education:

Occupation: Legal Secretary

Previous elected or appointed offices: Civic involvement - Election Judge for Cook County

Position sought: Wheeling Township Trustee

Political party: Democrat

Campaign E-mail address: wheelingtwpinfo@gmail.com

Campaign Website: http://Dems4LowerTaxes.com

Campaign Facebook: Wheeling Twp Info        

Campaign Twitter: @WheelingTwpInfo

What is the primary reason you are running for this office? To improve our community.

What will be your single most important priority if you get elected?  Reducing property taxes because the incumbents are overtaxing residents. The incumbents have built up excessive reserve funds for no good reason. That money should be used to responsibly reduce property taxes as efficiently as possible. The incumbents are also continuing to support the outdated Highway Commissioner position. If elected I will work to develop a sensible plan to transfer highway commission responsibilities to the township board either through a referendum or by encouraging neighboring municipalities to annex unincorporated areas. Wheeling Township only has 5.5 miles of road. Much of that area could be annexed by neighboring municipalities. Eliminating the highway commissioner position will help reduce layers of bureaucracy. And, once elected I will look at the elected officials’ salaries and work to make sure they are in line with the amount of work they actually perform.

What are the top three issues facing Wheeling Township residents? Reduce property taxes. Efficiently deliver services to taxpayers and residents which means cutting excess spending. Make Wheeling Township more responsive and transparent for the taxpayers.

What sets you apart from the other candidate? My role as a mother has taught me patience. Managing my household budget has required me to focus on spending only what is necessary. My position as an office manager made me a good mediator. Being a legal secretary for the last 15 years has shown me how important it is to look at both sides of an issue objectively.

Anything else you would like to add?  I ask for your vote so that I can bring my lifetime of experience to make sure that Wheeling Township is representing the best interests of all the residents and taxpayers.