ALSIP, IL — Susan Petzel currently serves as the Alsip village clerk. She is running for Alsip village trustee on the Alsip Community Alliance slate in the April 6 election. Name: Susan M Petzel Age (as of Election Day): 59 Town/City of Residence: Alsip Office Sought: Village of Alsip Trustee Party Affiliation (if a partisan
ALSIP, IL — Susan Petzel currently serves as the Alsip village clerk. She is running for Alsip village trustee on the Alsip Community Alliance slate in the April 6 election.
Name: Susan M Petzel
Age (as of Election Day): 59
Town/City of Residence: Alsip
Office Sought: Village of Alsip Trustee
Party Affiliation (if a partisan race): Non-Partisan
Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?
My son works for the Village of Alsip Water Department. And I have a sibling that works for a library district in a northern Cook County suburb.
Education:
Moraine Valley Community College
University of Illinois
Occupation:
Over 30 years in food service Design and sales handling multi-million dollar projects.
Campaign website: Alsip Community Alliance and Alsip Community Alliance Facebook page
Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: Alsip Village Clerk
The single most pressing issue facing Alsip, and this is what I intend to do about it: The single most pressing issue facing our board is accountability. I intend to be transparent and use residents’ opinions and feedback as a basis for my decision-making.
Do you support Black Lives Matter and what are your thoughts on the demonstrations held since the death of George Floyd and the shooting of Jacob Blake?
I support the equal application of the law to every citizen as well as the right of those who think they are being mistreated to protest peacefully. It should go without saying that I oppose any people who use any single instance of police misconduct to become violent or loot or riot. Illegal actions in opposition to illegal government conduct does not help anyone’s cause. Mass peaceful protests and voting out unresponsive politicians does.
Do you think the current board has done enough to support racial equality, and if not, what specifically should be done to do so?
As a general rule I think our Village employees treats every person in Alsip on an equal basis. If there is any person that believes there is widespread systemic problems or a specific individual who is abusing residents, please contact me and I will look into it whether I am elected or not.
What are your thoughts on the national and local coronavirus response? Do you favor measures such as limiting operation of non-essential businesses and restricting indoor/outdoor dining? And do you favor a local mask mandate?
Local government should accommodate any request from the state and Federal government to help speed the vaccination process along, but we need to let them lead. Just as when 50 states were coming up with 50 different responses while competing for PPE equipment, 1,000 local governments in Illinois can’t each be doing its own vaccination acquisition and distribution. In regard to mask mandates and public restrictions, the Governor’s Executive Orders supersede home rule community ordinances, so it doesn’t matter what Alsip votes on because we have to follow the state laws.
What are your thoughts on the state and local coronavirus vaccine distribution, and how do you think local governments should work together to handle vaccine rollout?
Local government should accommodate any request from the state and Federal government to help speed the vaccination process along, but we need to let them lead. Just as when 50 states were coming up with 50 different responses while competing for PPE equipment, 1,000 local government in Illinois can’t each be doing its own vaccination acquisition and distribution.
What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
The critical difference between our ACA candidates and the Trustee candidates running with Mayor Ryan is that we are independent in addition to being experienced. We assess each issue and problem as it arises to work toward a reasonable solution. Ryan’s rubber stamp Trustees will do whatever he says whether Ryan is right or wrong.
If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community?
The government in general under Mayor Ryan is not transparent, not accountable, not responsive and not fiscally responsible.
Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.
To address the biggest problems in Alsip government, I want to change our government to be transparent, accountable, responsive and fiscally responsible.
What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
My career experience over the last 30 plus years handling numerous multi-million dollar projects has proven I am experienced in handling large budgets, large projects, large groups of employees and all the management coordination that goes along with it. Government has a different set of rules, but the same basic functions that a Trustee would need to provide oversight and direction.
If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office as a success?
If elected, I would define my term a success if I helped to end the “pay to play” politics that has become the new normal at Village Hall.
Why should voters trust you?
Voters should trust me because since day one I have fought for transparency in government by pushing for the publication of information my counterparts refused to.
What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the use of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking?
Begin with zero based budgeting practices and cut all unnecessary personnel and services. The irresponsibility of the current administration will cause the new Trustees coming in to clean up the mess left behind. There should be enough political resolve to make decisions which solve the problems and not just put Band-Aids on bullet wounds.
Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family? No.
The best advice ever shared with me was:
My late father’s philosophy was to let your actions speak for you, not your words.
What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
Please visit our website at AlsipCA.com and find out about me and my running mates.
If you are a candidate running for local office and would like to participate in a candidate profile, please email lorraine.swanson@patch.com.
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