Meet Your Candidates: Maria Toth, Village of Morton Grove, Board of Trustees

Maria Toth is running for a four-year seat on the Village of Morton Grove Board of Trustees, a six-member group steering the village's government and economic policies with one President, totaling seven officials in all.  

Toth is no stranger to the board, after filling a trustee seat in 2009 when Mayor Dan Staackmann became Village President and left an open trustee seat. Before her appointment, she had served on the Community Relations Commission, Appearance Commission and Economic Development Commission. She has lived in the village for almost two decades.

This year, three seats are up for the four-year terms of service, and two political parties are campaigning for spots: Action Party (Shelden "Shel" Marcus, John Thill and Maria Toth) and  (Georgianne Brunner, Rita Minx and John Pietron). 

Morton Grove Patch collects the local politicians' beliefs and opinions with same Q&As for each candidate, publishes them in alphabetical order, and does not change submitted answers in major punctuation, style or content ways.

Now then, let's get down to the questions:

Patch: How would you assess the state of the village’s budget?

Toth: The Board had some tough choices to make, but we voted on a balanced budget for 2011, keeping our core services intact without dipping into our reserves.  I’m proud of the hard work that went into the budget.

Patch: If expenses need to be reduced, exactly what would you cut? Be specific.

Toth: This is already a bare-bones budget. I don’t believe we can cut anymore out of it without resorting to eliminating key personnel or vital services. This is something I would not be in favor of doing.

Patch: If more revenue needs to be raised, exactly what would you propose? Be specific.

Toth: Our sources of revenue must come from future economic development. We’ve taken steps to lay the groundwork, by hiring a new Economic Development Director, improving our Sign Code to make it more business-friendly, and tapping into the talents of our residents who sit on the Economic Development Commission.

Patch: What, if anything, does the Village need to do to adequately fund police and fire pensions?

Toth: This is not just an issue on a local level. We have and will continue to reach out to our representatives in Springfield, but it’s also important for our residents to reach out to them (sending letters and making phone calls), asking them to find solutions that can adequately address this fiscally-draining issue.

Patch: Does the Village need to start or intensify economic development efforts? What specific ideas do you have to foster economic development?

Toth: The Village has already begun economic development efforts by bringing in a highly experienced and accomplished Community and Economic Development Director (John Said) and energizing our core volunteers on the Economic Development Commission. I believe that the revitalization of the east Dempster Street corridor and the area surrounding the Metra station are essential components of our economic development efforts throughout the Village.  And, of course, the streamlined, user-friendly Sign Code can only help those efforts.

Patch: If the state of Illinois succeeds in re-establishing the capital bill, would you support video gaming in this Village?

Toth: If the State is successful in re-establishing the capital bill, I would ask that the issue of video gaming be put to a non-binding referendum and let the people decide.

Patch: Briefly tell us what, in your background or education, has prepared you to make a contribution on this Board. Can you offer an expertise that would be a resource to other Board members?

Toth: I have a background in public relations and marketing, which has prepared me to make a contribution to the Board as far as economic development is concerned. I am a good listener, and also have the ability to communicate effectively between members of the Board, Village staff, Commission members, and residents. I have a degree in Journalism, and was able to effectively use my writing and editing skills when I assisted in the rewriting of the Fair Housing Ordinance and the newly revised Sign Code.

Patch: How would you assess the public services the Village offers residents, including   police, fire, trash pickup, snow removal, responsiveness of Village Hall, etc.?  What needs to be improved? Are residents getting adequate value for their tax dollar?

Toth: Our snow removal is unparalleled. Our Fire Department’s response time of four minutes or less is phenomenal. We have dedicated employees that consider this Village their home, whether they live here or not. Our public service personnel (Police, Fire, EMA, Public Works) work well together as a team. I believe residents are getting a great bang for their tax buck!

Patch: What else would you like voters to know about your positions on issues or point of view?

Toth: I truly feel that, as a Trustee, I need to first listen to all sides and gather facts in order to make informed decisions. My point of view is that a Trustee works for the citizens. Every vote I've made on the Board has been done with the best interests of the entire Village at heart, and I'm proud of all the things this Board has accomplished in the two years I've been a Trustee. In spite of an incredibly difficult economy, we really are moving the Village forward!