March 2, 2009
President Mike Woerner - willing to lead for four more years
1. What is your motivation in running for Village President for a second term?
This nation, state and village are entering an era of unprecedented financial turmoil. When I was sworn in as Hinsdale Village President in May, 2005, I gave an inaugural speech that addressed the concern that we are living in a nationwide real estate “bubble.” I clearly stated a goal to be proactive and that in the event of a national and statewide real estate collapse, a defensive approach to protecting property values in our Village would be crucial to our community’s viability and vitality and would allow us to remain an “island of prosperity.”
Throughout our history, Hinsdale has proven its durability, maintaining value while other villages have struggled around us. At this point in time, I feel strongly that today we, as a Village and community face economic issues that require strong and consistent leadership. It is not a time to elect new leadership that would require on the job training. It is not a time for experimentation and taking risks with untested leadership styles and platforms. It is a time to be reminded of what the candidates stand for and their commitment to the values of this Village. There are an array of issues to be discussed and dealt with: we cannot narrow our focus onto a single issue, but rather consider and prioritize those issues most crucial for maintaining the stature of our Village.
I offer our community and Village a strong, experienced and proven leadership style. Great leadership does not ignore difficulties and issues, but grows out of these experiences. I am committed to consensus building for greater public benefit and I have demonstrated this commitment throughout my public service. This has been proven in my service as AYSO Commissioner, District 181 School Board and Presidency, Village Trustee and as your Village President for the last 4 years. No other candidate for Village President can express a greater love and passion for keeping the Village of Hinsdale the shining jewel of the western suburbs of Chicago.2. What have you learned from past tenure on the Village Board?
Having served as a District 181 School Board member and President for 8 years, as Village Trustee for 2 years, and as Village President for 4 years, I have grown and I have learned much about the intricacies of leadership in our community. As a unique community, a “hands-on” approach to governing and the ability to tap into our constituent resource is crucial to both transparency and community involvement. We are a gifted community comprised of intelligent, resourceful and successful residents that offer much and we need to make use of these abilities, talents and expertise of our residents. We can draw from the strengths of our residents by continuing an administration that is inclusive rather than exclusive.
Having lived in the Village for 33 years, I have learned that change is inevitable. This inevitability calls for experienced management. Change in Hinsdale should be evolutionary and methodical. Our history of governance over the last 100 years demonstrates a system that is often reactionary and sometimes procrastinates in actually solving problems. My administration has done its best to solve problems in this community, while trying to reassure citizens who have been resistant to necessary change. Our system of rotating Village officials every 4 years contributes to our lack of progress and passing issues on, while only postponing gradual and inevitable change.
Examples are many and most of us would like to avoid increased taxes in order to solve our problems, especially the infrastructure needs of our community. Tear downs and new construction of residential housing have created controversy between the rights of the homeowner and the right of the Village as a whole to maintain its planning values. As a result, we have become reactionary instead of taking a proactive and managed legislative course in dealing with our growth issues. For some residents, this has created an attitude of mistrust in our governance. Thus, the evolution towards positive and constructive legislative change has not been as efficient and effective as it could be.
In summary, I have learned that working in and among various interest groups and including the constructive insights and opinions of these groups is crucial to my strong, experienced and bold leadership style. I will look at the Village as a whole, seeking to do the right thing for the greater good while considering the values and concerns of those special interests voiced in the Village. I enjoy the challenge of being inclusive; I am not afraid to ask the hard questions and deal with the difficulties we face as a community, such as the budgetary issues that we need to deal with today. Together we can work toward creative solutions. Hinsdaleans want to be heard and included and I give them their voice.
When asked by the media what non-residents should know about our Village, I speak of the warm and neighborly community spirit shared on the lawns of our parks and the front yard of the Memorial Building. I emphasize that Hinsdale’s residents are caring and generous and their support for their community knows no bounds. This giving attitude coupled with pride of Village is what makes this community special and a great place to live and raise a family.
3. What is the relationship between the Board of Trustees and advisor boards (e.g., Plan Commission)? Does the BOT have an obligation to listen to the decisions of advisory bodies?
Absolutely! The Board of Trustees has a duty and obligation to listen to all advisory boards. These boards are responsible for deep research and inquiry into issues on behalf of the Village. For example, the Plan Commission conducts the official public hearing in order to expose their findings of fact and produces a public document that residents and Board of Trustees rely on and consider seriously in making decisions for the Village. Thus, citizens serving on Village boards and commissions have an opportunity to participate in the process and I believe it imperative the Board of Trustees remembers its obligation to listen and consider what has been investigated and presented.
Every member of every Village commission is appointed by the Village President and approved by the majority of the Board of Trustees. It has been my focus and goal to interview and appoint members to commissions and boards with a mind-set of diversity and inclusion from various areas and groups found in our community. I am proud of the service and work of our commissions and boards and I greatly appreciate the time and effort of those who serve our community in this capacity. I am committed to appointing members to serve from all corners of our Village.
4. What was your greatest accomplishment as President?
Reflecting on the past 4 years, there are some accomplishments that stand out in my mind. From the very beginning of my term, I have initiated greater community awareness, visibility and communication by televising all Village board meetings. Televising these meetings has exposed Village issues and shows my support for open discourse in this community. Naturally there were growing pains in the beginning as we fined-tuned the process toward televising live, all committee meetings and meetings of all boards and commissions. Prior to my term, Village meetings were communicated through only one media source: one newspaper. Today, when I gavel my Board of Trustees meetings to order, the press area is comprised of reporters from 4 different newspapers and various cameras broadcast live to our residents. As a result, our residents have become better aware and informed about every aspect Village life. Discourse among residents has been expanded on Hinsdale internet blogs and local journals written by residents. Also during my term, EHinsale was developed. EHinsdale is a Village internet communication vehicle. We also have the capability to alert our residents by e-mail or telephone on a direct and immediate basis. These enhancements in Village communication have not only kept our residents informed but have also encouraged residents to get involved.
I am proud of the fact that as Village President, I have reached out to over 300 residents to be involved in various committees, commissions and boards. Looking back through history, this community has never been as engaged in government as they are today. This engagement is found on all levels. It excites and encourages this Village President as more citizens are involved in making Hinsdale a great place to live. The best example of this is when I initiated a major strategic plan in which the voice of citizens were heard as they participated in planning the direction that our Village would take. It was an opportunity for overall resident consensus building and has supported our ability to be a proactive community as we move in a direction that serves the majority of residents.
Out of the work of the strategic plan initiative, other much needed committees and plans were developed. The plan for the Ogden Avenue corridor has been developed by citizens to preserve, protect and grow the values of Hinsdale in this area of the Village. Another outgrowth from the strategic plan was a group that studied and submitted a plan for the business area north of the Burlington. Once again, a group of citizens led this exploration to develop a plan for north of the tracks by setting boundaries and giving definition to development with the same goals of preserving, protecting our residents. The Design Review Committee along with a committee reviewing our zoning code as well as our beautification task force are 3 other examples of groups of citizens, hard at work, creating guidelines and reviewing documents that are intended to protect us all. One of the most important initiatives was to create the new Finance Commission. This board reviews the budget thoroughly with perspective on Village needs and expenses. Nine citizens that serve on this board will be crucial in managing the financial crisis our Village faces in the next few years. Their expertise and insights will be invaluable to the Board of Trustees, urging fiscal conservatism and responsibility moving forward. I am proud to report that anyone seeking to volunteer for any of these new committees was not turned away. Being a leader of inclusion has always been a priority for me and as a result, visibility, transparency, community discourse and greater citizen involvement has reached levels never seen in this Village before.
In summary, we have challenges to face in the future. These challenges include our drainage and flooding issues and the infrastructure problems throughout the Village. As with our electrical service issues, we can tackle these issues and make improvements by listening and engaging in resident dialogue. Had we not addressed ComEd’s electrical service neglect by creatively bringing it to the forefront of Village issues needing resolution, we wouldn’t see the improvement in service that we see today. So, too, will we resolve the infrastructure problems in our Village. As Village President, I will make sure these problems are tackled and will include residents in the decision making process through listening to and engaging in a dialogue with these residents.
Finally, when you look at every one of my initiatives, one can sum it up by saying I gave the caring citizens of this Village a greater voice: an opportunity to be heard that hasn’t happened in this Village in decades. From creating volunteer opportunities on committees, commissions and tasks forces to greater communication via television coverage and opportunity to speak at the conclusion of board meetings, I am proud of my determination that residents can be heard on all issues.
Read interviews with candidates previously featured in the Hinsdale Monitor You Choose 2009 series. (Click on photos below to link to each candidate's interview and biographical information.)
Candidates for Village Government |
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President |
Board of Trustees |
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Tom Cauley* |
Doug Geoga* |
Laura LaPlaca* |
Bob Saigh* |
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| Mike Woerner | Bill Seith | Craig Chapello | |
Cindy Williams |
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| * Candidates who have been endorsed by the Hinsdale Village Caucus and Hinsdale First. | |||
| NOTE: The Hinsdale Monitor does not have a profile on Presidential Candidate Cindy Williams, who did not respond to our invitation to be interviewed. | |||
What is the Hinsdale Village Caucus?
Serving the community for 75 years, the Hinsdale Caucus has provided a non-partisan method of identifying and supporting the best candidates for local elections.
More about the Caucus and other Caucus-endorsed Candidates on the Hinsdale Village Caucus web site >
What is Hinsdale First?
Hinsdale First is a political committee registered with the Illinois State Board of Elections. "[Hinsdale First] was formed in 2008 to advocate for the adoption by our Village government of policies and programs consistent with the platform of our organization," according to the web site.
More about Hinsdale First >