Judy Sollinger​ For Oswego Village Council: Patch Candidate Profile

Name: Judy Sollinger

Age:Adult

Position Sought:Oswego Village Trustee

Family: Husband: Richard; Two adult children and six grandchildren

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? Our son is in the Air Force

Education: East Aurora High School; Aurora University; Waubonsee Community College; Multiple Seminars and Continuing Education Classes

Occupation:

Real Estate Broker - 25 Years; Oswego School District - Learning Center Resource Aide - 4 years; Legal Secretary - 15 years

Why are you running?

We have a forward thinking Village Board that is working well together to bring economic prosperity to our community and I would like to continue the work we have started.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office:

Current Oswego Village Trustee - 2007 to Present
Elected Oswego Village Clerk - 1985 to 1992
Past Board Member Oswego Foundation for Educational Excellence
Past Board Member Fox Valley Girl Scout Council
Past Member Oswego Economic Development Corporation
Past Member School District 308 Facilities Committee

What do you hope to accomplish in office?

I would like to continue working on the progress being made by the current Village Board of Trustees. We have an extremely forward thinking board who are working in the best interests of our community to bring economic prosperity to our Village, keeping in mind the safety and welfare of our residents while planning for future infrastructure needs and maintaining a flat property tax rate.

How would you hold local government employees accountable?

Village staff is evaluated on a regular basis and training is made available to all employees

Explain your attitudes toward fiscal policy, government spending and how taxpayer dollars should be handled by your office (or board)?

As a nearly fifty-year resident of the Village, I am aware of the challenges facing our residents and particularly our seniors concerning property taxes. The Village property tax rate has remained flat and it is our goal to continue that way. As a Real Estate Broker I am acutely aware of the necessity of maintaining excellence in our schools and with almost 80% of our tax dollars going to support our schools, I believe it is our responsibility to bring economic prosperity to our community and to work with our local and state legislators to determine a better way of funding our schools.

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

Much has been accomplished by the current Village Board in bringing new businesses to town. We have incorporated a policy of collaborating with other taxing bodies and surrounding municipalities, sharing services and bringing more efficiency and savings to our community. We understand that the economic vitality of our community is one of the best ways to protect our property values. We have taken a major step forward in bringing revitalization to our downtown with an exciting proposal for the former lumber yard property.

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

I love this community and I am proud to call Oswego home. My mother was born here and Rich and I have raised our two children here. I would like to see Oswego prosper and bring well-paying jobs to our area so that families can work and retire comfortably here.

Photo provided by Judy Sollinger