Robert Burns: Candidate For Northbrook Trustee

NORTHBROOK, IL — Ahead of the April 6 consolidated municipal elections, Northbrook Patch provided questionnaires to all candidates on the ballot.

Six candidates are vying for three four-year trustee seats on the Northbrook Village Board on Election Day. They are incumbents Muriel J. Collison and Daniel H. Pepoon, and challengers Robert Burns, Joy Ebhomielen, Christopher Lay and Ana Mendez McGuinnes. Current Trustee Kathryn L. Ciesla is running for Village President, leaving her seat up for grabs, with Sandra E. Frum set to retire. She will be challenged by Eugene Marks for president.

Ciesla, Collison, Ebhomielen and Pepoon have received the backing of the Northbrook Caucus of 2021. Burns, Lay, Marks and McGuinnes are being endorsed by United4Northbrook.

Northbrook Patch is publishing all responses submitted by candidates verbatim.

Robert Burns

Age (as of Election Day)

54

Town/City of Residence

Northbrook

Office Sought

Village board or city council

Party Affiliation (if a partisan race)

N/A

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

BS in Finance

Occupation

International Trade Compliance - 30 Years

Campaign website

https://united4northbrook.com/

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

None

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is bad leadership and this will be corrected when our team is voted in. The United for Northbrook (U4N) team is running for Village offices because the incumbent Board continues to make wrong decisions for the community and does not seek resident input. Northbrook needs a local focus with transparency and honesty.
While incidents of car theft, burglaries, armed robberies, firearm shooting related offenses and drug investigations are increasing in our community, the incumbents have reduced support to our local police and fire departments.
While revenues from sales taxes and commercial real estate taxes plunged, the Board has done nothing to help small and medium size businesses. During the national protests this summer, caucus candidates joined marches, encouraged Village Administrative Officials to have their personnel participate in political marches and bragged about their commitments to diversity, yet as elected officials, they’ve ignored and been dismissive of immigrant communities within our own village.
U4N will reset the Board’s priorities. We’re focused on public safety, sound fiscal decisions, strong schools, clean parks, support for development and local businesses to reduce resident’s tax rates, and inclusion of immigrants who live in the Village.

Do you support Black Lives Matter and what are your thoughts on the demonstrations held since the death of George Floyd and the shooting of Jacob Blake?

The Black Lives Matter movement has shed a light on some fundamental values that the U4N candidates believe in, including diversity and inclusion. U4N strongly denounces racism, both overt and systematic, and decries police brutality. We support restorative justice and are committed to acting with empathy and purposeful inclusion. U4N embraces minority populations within our community and seeks to improve inclusion of immigrant groups in local government. With that being said, we don’t support extreme violent or damaging activism from any political party. We don’t support the cadences chants as were heard over the summer, “Kill all cops” “What’s a good a cop, A Dead cop” “Pigs in a Blanket, Fry Them Like Bacon” We believe in working together as a community to bring peace and that includes all sides coming to the table.

Do you think the current board has done enough to support racial equality, and if not, what specifically should be done to do so?

Although incumbent board members claim to value diversity, they’ve done little to engage the diverse populations already in Northbrook. Twenty percent (20%) of Northbrook residents are foreign born, but the Village offers no services to immigrants. The largest non-white racial group in Northbrook is of Asian descent (14.5% of the population), but when dozens of Asian residents protested the cannabis dispensary, Board members completely dismissed their concerns. Russian and Polish families make up another 20% of the population, but the Board has not engaged these communities. The Board does not offer translation services, does not offer immigrant services, has not endeavored to hire bi-lingual staff, and hasn’t suggested any ways of celebrating the different cultures within our community.

What are your thoughts on the national and local coronavirus response? Do you favor measures such as limiting operation of non-essential businesses and restricting indoor/outdoor dining? And do you favor a local mask mandate?

The national coronavirus response was haphazard and fragmented, as the previous administration worried more about political optics and their opponents did the same. At the local level, government leaders were left balancing the national political narrative against both harsh public health and economic realities, often with conflicting guidance.
Here in Northbrook we support our local businesses. We have seen grocery stores successfully stay open with proper PPE and following safety guidelines. We believe in keeping all of our businesses open with the businesses following the same procedures for the safety of workers as well as customers.
U4N favors adhering to recommendations made by the CDC regarding mask mandates.

What are your thoughts on the state and local coronavirus vaccine distribution, and how do you think local governments should work together to handle vaccine rollout?

State and county officials have not utilized local government infrastructure as well as they could have in distributing vaccines, causing confusion and frustration, particularly among seniors. Top-down attempts at county-wide equity in terms of vaccine distribution have not prioritized ease of availability for low-income senior populations in Northbrook.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

We will ask, listen, and support the residents of Northbrook, this current board does not. The board’s adverse priorities have compromised village finances. Their dismissive responses to concerned residents make it clear that the board doesn’t care about the opinions of Northbrook residents.
U4N will put Northbrook first. Unlike the incumbents, we’re focused on Northbrook. We’ll work with local businesses to rebuild following the pandemic. We’ll encourage new business and developers to come to our community, resulting in a stable tax base. We’ll be responsive, available, and courteous.
We’ll make Northbrook’s agenda our agenda.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

They have failed the community by not being transparent and honest about their decisions and agenda. They are fiscally irresponsible and are putting our community in jeopardy. The current Village Board does not support the police and fire department. They approved a development-killing plan to require builders to dedicate 15% of all new units to a government backed housing program reserved for low-income households and never once surveyed the residents about this change.
They have made bad decision after bad decision and take no responsibility for their misguided decisions. Example - Grainger site 8.3 million spent and nothing to show for it. Northbrook Court is partially in ruble and nothing to show for it. Affordable housing with no resident input and no idea how to operationalize it. they have created real problems and real dollars that impact our property values and long-term financial stability.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

Public Safety and Security
Leadership with Transparency and Honesty
Sound Fiscal Management
Support for Local Business in the wake of the pandemic
Survey Residents and hear their voice on all major decisions.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I have over 30 years of corporate compliance experience and many skill sets to run Northbrook like a business. I was President of a large town home association in Glenview for 6 years and built close partnerships with village officials on several property projects. I negotiated lower vendor contracts and created a 5-year improvement plan that raised property values for all homeowners. I look forward to creating these similar advancements to our community with our residents!

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office as a success?

The U4N team will work with development teams to sell the Grainger property, revitalize Northbrook Court and redesign the now vacant Green Acres golf course property.
We’d ensure that Northbrook’s new village manager maintains focus on village and community issues. We’d restore full financial support and respect for our first responders. Our support helps hire and maintain qualified and well trained first responders for our community.
We would amend the Village affordable housing ordinance to prioritize housing for local seniors and people with disabilities. We’d work with the development community to change the ordinance to provide certainty and clarity, thereby reducing developer risk and encouraging builders to stay active in Northbrook. We’d engage the community in developing a written plan for how to distribute money from the affordable housing fund.

Why should voters trust you?

Voter’s should put their faith in us because we truly care about Northbrook and we will listen and follow what the residents want. We are your neighborhood, parents at the grocery store, families cheering each other on at Northbrook youth sporting events, taking our dogs for a walk, or dining at one of our local restaurants. To be involved in public service is a calling, a heartfelt drive to live and raise our families in a thriving supportive community. We have raised our children here and look forward to having a strong community for our children to raise our grandchildren here. U4N seeks to move Northbrook forward towards a future that is one for all of our residents. We want to build this community WITH you.

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the use of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking?

U4N will pass balanced budgets that help Northbrook businesses and keep village expenses low without compromising village services or public safety. In contrast to the incumbent candidates who spent $8 million of taxpayer money on the Grainger property without any plan and without any community input. The U4N team will treat taxpayer money as if it is our own. We will be prudent, thoughtful, and tuned into community concerns.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family?

All members of U4N are prepared and eager to serve full terms in office.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Never judge a book by its cover.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I am honest, transparent, and will engage all residents in Northbrook to hear their voice in order to create a vibrant and long-lasting community.