Our Next Four Years

“Average organizations give their people something to work on. In contrast, the most innovative organizations give their people something to work toward.”
Start with Why – Simon Sinek

The City of Park Ridge has seen unprecedented growth over the past ten years, even as there have been challenges such as COVID, population changes and regional trends. Each City Department has made major strides over the last decade that are all aligned to focus on the shared goals and momentum that make our community THE destination place to live, work, and play in the Northwest Suburbs.

I am running for re-election as Mayor, as a collaborative and authentic leader, who has innovative ideas for the future and who envisions Park Ridge as a community which is the envy of our neighbors, the very model of stability, growth, and community.

Public Safety
The City needs to continue our investment in the health and safety of our first responders with improvements that are overdue and necessary at Station 36 (Oakton/Greenwood).  These renovations will improve not only the organizational effectiveness of the Fire Department as they respond to calls, but also improve the facility for the well-being and health of our firefighters.

We need to decide as to what the future of our Police Department and our police station will be. The station is currently in the basement of City Hall and while we have made improvements over the last few years and invested in the facility to enhance it, we have a long way to go before we have a police station that reflects the technology, professionalism, and best practices for the future.

The City needs to decide if the future location of the Police Station will remain on the City Hall campus, or if there is another site in town that will need to be evaluated for a new police station. We also need to continue to utilize technology as it evolves to allow for protection that “never sleeps” like the FLOCK camera system which the City currently leverages through automatic license plate readers and a network of cameras for synergy with neighboring communities to monitor and proactively protect Park Ridge.

We also need to evaluate new technology as it becomes available to communities, and permitted for use, such as the use of drone technology as tool to help our first responders as they are faced with emergencies.

Business District Development
The Uptown Master Plan will be completed in early 2025, and the Uptown TIF will be reaching its conclusion within the next few years. Due to this conclusion, there will be resources available to the City of Park Ridge that enable us to take a significant step towards addressing the current parking challenges. We have seen those parking challenges grow as the area has developed, and we look forward to a creative solution to help. The City needs to invest in a parking solution that will best position ourselves to succeed for the future. We also will have opportunities to continue to develop South Park, North Park, and the Higgins Corridor through a concerted effort of attracting businesses that will fit with the development already taking place. In addition to new economic development, we look forward to other initiatives to help these business districts thrive. These include long-awaited bike lanes through North Park, new development and construction along Higgins, and changes and improvements to South Park already planned by the Park District.

Public Infrastructure
The City has made significant progress on our infrastructure needs, while living within our budget and not raising property taxes at all over the last four years. We will have opportunities in the next four years to continue our efforts on flood mitigation, lead service water replacements, and a new waste hauling contract that can include composting as an option for residents.

A Community for All
It is a personal priority for me that Park Ridge continues to be a Community for All. The City needs to work and coordinate with all stake holders to find ways to invest in and strengthen that commitment.
- We need to improve the walkability of Park Ridge, not only by addressing unsafe intersections, but through an evaluation of accessibility and accommodation for our pedestrians.
- We need to help our senior citizens age in place, by making sure we are connecting our seniors to the resources they require to remain in their home and in our community.
- In reviewing our parking challenges, we need to determine how we are providing accessible parking, where there are challenges and where we can improve.
- Cultivate our love for the arts throughout town and continue the legacy of the Friday Concerts in the Park tradition.
- Park Ridge’s strength has always been in our volunteers. Lead efforts to recruit and retain volunteers that allow us to continue the traditions we know and love.