Dear Residents of Harwood Heights, Mayors Comments from December 10, 2009
On behalf of the elected officials, we sincerely thank you for your support, encouragement and confidence in us.
Let me extend my congratulations to Trustees Lester Szlendak and Jimmy Mougolias on their re-election and to Larry Steiner on his election as Trustee. I also congratulate our Village Clerk Marcia Pollowy; and to our Appointees who are all so willing to contribute their time and abilities to keep our community strong.
I thank Mayor Fuller for her years of service and wish her well. And my thanks to all the previous appointees who have served on various commissions and for their contributions to our community.
As your Mayor, friend and neighbor, I, just like you, want the very best for Harwood Heights. But one person cannot do it alone – it takes a TEAM to work together to accomplish our goals.
We are about to embark on a “new beginning”. My leadership style requires the participation and commitment of all the elected officials. I am confident each one brings a wealth of talent, knowledge and experience to this Board and stands ready to build our community….and with your help, your understanding and your ideas, I am confident we WILL do it together!
As we move forward with our plans, we will never forget that our primary goal is to build a better and stronger community for our residents. You have put your confidence in us and we must deliver!
As we move forward --- I ask that we all put the campaign behind us. All of us have experienced winning and losing. We must now reach out to one another because this is OUR community to build. If we channel our energies into positive goals – we CAN make a difference, we can ALL be winners – and ultimately, isn’t this what we all want?
• As we take on future challenges as your elected officials, please give us your patience as we uncover the true financial status of the Village, plan our budget, set priorities and achieve financially viable goals. We must be realistic about what can be accomplished each year.
• Each Board member must be involved and participate in the process through chairing their committees and reporting on issues and accomplishments.
• Board meetings will be a place of business, not attacks. Committee meetings are working committees for fact-finding and a work toward progress. We will also reach out to other municipal Boards to tap into added resources and ideas that would benefit our entire community.
• Each department (Public Works, Office, Building Department and Police) will be evaluated for a better project work flow and for the best use of our time value of money.
• Each vacant parcel of land will be reviewed for economic opportunities; whether it’s up for lease or for sale. We cannot allow vacant properties to drain us from much needed revenues. We will take an active approach and launch our Economic Development initiatives by using Grant Funds to hire an Economic Development Coordinator whose sole purpose will be to identify opportunities for increase REVENUE through retail development.
• Our website will include information for potential businesses and developers so that they can learn about growth opportunities in Harwood Heights for available retail leasing space or properties for sale. It will list its square footage and contact information, so we can connect our land owners with potential businesses opportunities.
• Every contract will be reviewed as they become due with plenty of time for renewed bidding.
• Our Building Department will be evaluated to streamline the process making it easier to do business with our residents and contractors.
Communication is the ‘key’ toward moving forward and solving problems -- and will be encouraged.
I vow to work with every member of this Board, our employees and appointees and surrounding community leaders -- and do what is best to build Harwood Heights into a Community we will all be proud of.
Once again, I thank you ALL for your support and encouragement! So let’s ALL get the TEAM Spirit because “Together Everyone Achieves More”.
Mayor Arlene Jezierny
