The following is part of a series of Q&As with candidates running in contested Park Ridge aldermanic races on April 4. The two wards with contested races are the 3rd and 4th Wards.
Candidate Jack Barnette, who is challenging incumbent 4th Ward Ald. Roger Shubert for a four-year term on the Park Ridge City Council, is looking to reclaim a seat he held from 1983 to 1987. A retired environmental scientist for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Barnette, 73, has lived in Park Ridge for nearly 40 years and currently serves on the Park Ridge Community Health Commission.
Q: What do you believe a Park Ridge alderman’s role is?
A: Work with others to make Park Ridge a better community for people of all ages. Listen, serve and work to find common sense, practical solutions to problems for the benefit of the citizens of Park Ridge.
Q: What are the top issues facing Park Ridge today?
A: Noise, parking, traffic, taxes and stormwater management.
Q: If elected, what topics do you plan to bring to the City Council for consideration?
A: Solve parking issues in downtown Park Ridge. Find better ways to deal with aircraft noise that will benefit homeowners (tax breaks, noise-proofing).
Q: Are there ways the city can further reduce its expenses?
A: Reduce waste and redundancy. Smarter procurement practices.
Q: Are there city services you believe can be improved?
A: All city services should be studied for opportunities for improvement. Public Works could especially be improved.
Q: Do you believe any changes should be made to the city’s zoning ordinance?
A: City zoning laws have to be constantly reviewed to reflect the changing nature of Park Ridge. An example would be the approval or disapproval of Airbnb properties.
Q: Several non-retail, non-restaurant businesses have received City Council approval in recent years to open in the Uptown core district, which is meant to be retail-focused. What is your position on granting a special-use for such businesses?
A: These special-use approvals need to be considered on case-by-case basis. Citizens and businesses should provide input on these decisions.
Q: Should the city fund the construction of a parking deck on the site of the Summit and Euclid public lot?
A: With citizen input, and thorough engineering and traffic studies, it might be well worth considering.
Q: Are you supporting a candidate for mayor?
A: Yes; Marty Maloney.
Q: What else would you like voters to know about you?
A: I have a special interest in our senior citizens. I think it is important for all people to have the option to stay in the homes where they have lived and raised their families.
Twitter: @Jen_Tribune
