Village Free Press Candidate Questionnaires

Candidates for Trustee

Please submit answers (attached in an MS Word file or in the body of the email)
to thevillagefreepress@gmail.com by no later than March 7).

Name: WELLINGTON, Kimyada M

Age: 44

Preferred contact: email or telephone

Previous political experience:

Previous community experience:
Retired United States Army Veteran, Master Sergeant (E-8), 23 years
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Kappa Epsilon Psi Military Sorority, Inc.
Jack and Jill of America, Inc.
American Veterans

President, School District 89, Parent Teacher Association

Parent Liaison, School District 89, School Board

Occupation: State employee

Education: Master of Business Administration (MBA), Benedictine University

Aviation Administration, BS, Lewis University
Associate of Science, Triton College
Graduate, Proviso West High School

Please answer the following questions to the best of your ability. Full disclosure: parts, or all, of
your answers are likely be published:

What is your understanding of the role and functions of the position of trustee?

My understanding of the role of the Trustee is a four-year commitment in which the position
works individually and collectively to Maintain and enforce ordinance that is set by the board

Legislative

develop and implement ordinance to govern the community and advocate for the citizens of the
community.
What is your understanding of the role and functions of the Maywood Board of Trustees?
My understanding of the role of The Maywood Board of Trustees, comprised of six Trustees
along with the Mayor, functions as a cohesive group advocating for the citizens in the
community. The Boards role is to provide direction to the Village Manager who oversees the
activities of all Village Departments and functions as the legislative body that develops and
approves ordinances and resolutions governing the life of the community. The Board approves
revenue generating activities as well as expenditures made in support of the operations and
business of the Village.

What do you understand about Maywoods property taxes? Do you think theyre too low, just at
the right level or too high? If too high or low, what are some of your ideas for bringing them to
the level you believe is sufficient?

In my opinion, the taxes are too high. If vacant homes and empty lots were sold, then they
would be taken off the tax roll.
As a Maywood homeowner, I personally understand the common complaint that Maywood
property taxes are too high. The opinion that taxes are too high are relative to what services I
receive as a resident. Practically everything we do or use in the Village is fueled by our property
taxes: police, fire, school district, library, parks and basic operations. My family does not plan
to move from Maywood so we have to look for ways to alleviate some of that burden for
example requesting to have our property assessed. Are the services worth paying the high taxes?
Some of my ideas for bringing them to an acceptable level would be to expect better customer
service at the Village, change the face of Maywood.

What is your understanding of TIF zones? Do you believe that they have adequately mitigated
blighted areas in the village? Would you consider approving a plan to create a new TIF district if
it ever came to that? Do you have some ideas about how TIF surplus funds should be
distributed?

Tax increment financing (TIF) is a public financing method that is used as financial aid or
support for redevelopment, infrastructure, and other community-improvement projects. TIF is a
grant to stimulate enterprise growth.

Yes, improvements have been made in some areas but work still needs to be done.
Yes, consideration would be given to another TIF district.
Surplus TIF funds should be distributed to improve the public image (vacant homes, store fronts,
alleys, and streets) of Maywood.

What is your understanding of Maywood's comprehensive plan? Do you believe that it is an

effective tool for managing the village's long-term economic and infrastructural
development? Maywoods comprehensive plan is a collaborative effort involving residents and
business owners who created a guide for future growth and investment. It is an effective tool if
the framework for the long term vision established by the Maywood community is followed.
Do you believe that the village spends not enough, just enough or too much money on outside
contractors, in general, and legal fees, in particular? If you believe not enough or too much
money, what are some of your ideas for getting those expenditures to a level you believe is
sufficient? To address the issue of the Village spending too much money, I think that all
contracts should have a cap on spending and should be reviewed.

Do you believe that Maywood is, generally speaking, a safe community? If so, what are some
things that make this so? If not, what are some ideas you have to make the village safer?

Generally speaking, Maywood is a safe community however the Police should increase their
visibility. Maywood is fortunate to have the benefit of being a smaller family community
however family members running from Chicago choose Maywood as a destination. Maywood
has incidents that if not publicized in the media I wouldnt be aware of. However, because I
have a 10-year-old Son I am more concerned because I want to be comfortable with my Son
walking to and from school and playing at the parks.

Do you believe that the village spends not enough, just enough or too much money to settle
police misconduct and workmans compensation cases? If you believe too much or too little
money, what are some of your ideas for getting those expenditures to a level you believe is
sufficient?

I cannot comment without more information.

From what you can tell, is there currently a system in place that effectively evaluates the
performance of village administrators and employees? If not, do you think one needs to be
implemented?

Although I am not familiar with a performance evaluation system, being appointed in March
2015 by the Village Board, Village Manager, Willie Norfleet, Jr is responsible for the day to day
operation of all Departments and staff. According to the Village code, in those duties, Norfleet,
Jr has the power to appoint and to discharge any employee of the Village, except those under
civil service. Upon discharging any employee, he shall submit at the next Board meeting
following such removal a statement concerning the removal and the reasons therefore. Being
appointed, the Village Manager has been empowered by the Board to make such decisions.

Are you currently satisfied, dissatisfied or unfamiliar with the job performance of Village
Manage Willie Norfleet, Jr.? Please explain.

As a resident, I do not have any complaints about the Village Managers performance. However,
I think improvements can be made in the overall Village operations.
Do you believe that Maywood should be a sanctuary city? Explain why or why not?

Firstly, to explain my understanding of sanctuary city, a sanctuary city is one that has, either
with a written policy or informally, made it known that it will not assist the federal government
in dealing with illegal immigrants and their possible deportation. In recent news, the term has
caused a great deal of confusion. I do not condone not following rules but I do not think it fair to
target those demographics for no legal reason. During one of the recently attended Village
meetings, there was discussion about Maywood being a sanctuary or welcoming city. There was
discussion that acceptance of that practice would cause Maywood to lose funding.

What is your general approach to economic development? How involved do you feel board
members should be in the process? And do you feel that village officials are too aggressive, not
aggressive enough or just right in their pursuit of development opportunities?

Economic development is viewed as efforts that seek to improve the economic well-being and
quality of life for a community by creating and/or retaining jobs and supporting or growing
incomes and the tax base. The economic development plan is key to the success of any
municipal government. Knowing how to attract businesses is vital. These efforts can be
accomplished by new technologies and general improvement in living standards. Village
officials should allow those in position to do their jobs.

Please feel free to include any information you feel these questions did not address.

Punch 17 on April 4, 2017