Consolidated elections for the three seats on the Village of Huntley Board of Trustees are coming up on April 6. However, early voting at the Huntley Park District is expected to begin on Monday, March 22 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
My Huntley News asked the five trustee candidates a few questions ranging from topics in economic development to finances in the Village of Huntley. Their answers are as follows:
Burt Natkins
What can you tell residents about your background?
“My wife and I have lived in Huntley, Sun City for several years. We have come to enjoy the many activities available in the community and look forward to when they are once again fully open to all of us. [My wife and I] were both born in New York. In fact, we met while we were both attending Cornell University…From there, we moved to New York City, where I attended New York University as a PhD candidate in economics.”
After Natkins’ enthusiasm for his PhD program waned, he decided to attend law school at the University of Wisconsin Law school in Madison where he and his family remained for several years.
“We ultimately moved back to the Midwest-namely Huntley-to be closer to our sons and grandchildren.”
What particular skills and/or experiences have prepared you to help serve the community as a trustee?
“Over the years, my involvement in local government affairs has not only been limited to the practice of law. I have also been, and continue to be an active participant in the activities of local government and community-oriented associations.
“While living in Wisconsin, I served on a host of governmental commissions and committees, as well as serving as a trustee on a Village Board for five years. I am presently a member of Huntley’s Historic Preservation Commission, Kane County’s Zoning Board of Appeals, and Huntley’s Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association (assisting the Huntley Police Department during special events).”
Natkins’ professional and private practice law career included serving a lengthy tenure as a legal counsel for the League of Wisconsin Municipalities, as well as assisting local governments in issues of zoning/land use, construction, employment, economic development, environmental, eminent domain, intergovernmental agreements, civil rights, etc.
Why are you running for the Board of Trustees? If elected, what will be your goal/priority to the community?
“My candidacy for the position of Huntley Trustee is a further demonstration of my passion for service at the local level. Indeed, based [on] my background and skills, I am confident that I am well prepared to meet the challenges of that position.”
“I am a strong proponent of attracting new businesses to Huntley and expanding its residential base, provided it is focused and managed well. Growth and our infrastructure should therefore always remain in balance and planned accordingly. Planned growth, in other words, requires a concomitant expansion and improvement of our infrastructure to avoid a future of undue and costly burdens on our residents.”
What differentiates you from other candidates and why would you be a valuable addition to the Village?
“While the Village Board has generally done a commendable job, I believe that as a member of the Board, I would bring it certain unique and useful knowledge and experience, skill sets, and perspective not currently shared by any other member on the Village Board. My passion is to make Huntley an even better community for all its residents.”
“Over the years, my professional and personal experiences have taught me to be a good listener, to respect the positions of others, to be a forceful advocate, and when necessary, to be a team player or a strong leader. Using and relying on these attributes as a Trustee, I would seek to serve the interests of the Huntley residents as they would want and expect.”
What are the top issues facing the Village and how will you work to resolve those issues?
“The ongoing pandemic has obviously been challenging for all…Indeed, the Village should generally be commended for its overall response to the pandemic and the disruptions caused by it…On the other hand, the Village may have fallen short in less noticeable ways.”
“Because the Village is the closest and most accessible unit of government to the public, it should have been somewhat more aggressive in developing a well-coordinated outreach program to provide its residents an outlet to voice their concerns about the pandemic and the policies employed to mitigate it and to act as an effective resource for its residents for information etc.”
“The Village should also establish guidelines for ensuring that it continuously maintains a supply of equipment and materials needed to adequately implement its plan in a timely manner. In the end, planning now with others is critical to avoid the missteps experienced during the current pandemic.”
Do you feel too much emphasis is being placed on economic development, about the right amount, or not enough?
“We always need to be mindful of the potential implications of growth beyond its obvious benefits…Growth also requires sufficient infrastructure to support it.”
“To allow any element of the Village’s infrastructure to fall in disrepair would only prove to be more costly to its residents over the long term. With that said, I deem two infrastructure projects within the Village to be of the highest priority, while a third to be of a lesser degree.”
“The two ‘highest priority’ projects are the realignment of Kreutzer Road and the reconstruction of the Route 47 railroad crossing at Main street. The third undertaking would be a restoration of the Route 47 roadway from north of I-90 to Main Street, together with the upgrading and installation of additional pedestrian and bicycle pathways and facilities along the segment of the highway.”
If elected, what steps would you take to put the Village of Huntley on a firmer financial footing?
“I would characterize myself as being fiscally responsible and a strong proponent of the notion of zero-based budgeting…An ever-increasing tax burden on the Village’s residents cannot be assumed as a given or be acceptable. Instead, through this budgeting process, the ultimately approved budget should strike a balance between ensuring that the services and infrastructure provided by the Village are adequately maintained, and the taxes being imposed to support those services are not excessive but are reasonable.”
“If elected to serve on the Board, I would be guided by the basic philosophy that during the annual budgeting process, each major budget item should be evaluated on a three-pronged test: is the item reasonably necessary to ensure that the overall quality of services with the community are maintained; will the item be effective in meeting its intended purpose; and if the level of funds to be allocated for the item, are reasonable thereby not placing an undue burden on the Village residents.”
How do you plan to involve residents in the decision-making process in Huntley?
“The principal responsibility of any elected official, including village trustees, is to act in the best interests of the community…Listening to, and eliciting the input of residents, is in fact key to a village trustee understanding and appreciating what the general thinking of the community may be.”
“I would accordingly use various techniques to solicit the input of residents—whether through in-person discussions with individuals or focus groups through the use of electronic devices, including email exchanges, virtual meetings, and local-oriented group chats.”
How do you feel about the transportation options currently available in the Village of Huntley? Do we have enough options? If not, what will you do to increase those?
“While the Village has undertaken some measures to make the community more walker/cyclist friendly, I believe that the Village should place an even greater emphasis on achieving that goal through a well-defined safety program.”
“Such a program should largely consist of two components: a greater dissemination of safety information to the general public and the improvement of existing paths and roadways and the construction of new walker/biker-related facilities to better separate walkers and bicyclists from vehicular traffic and to otherwise protect them from injury.”
Are there any other items of information you would want individuals to know about you, and why you would make a good fit as a trustee member?
Natkins states that if he is elected, he pledges to serve no more than two, four-year terms as a Huntley Trustee.
“I do not want to be perceived as one who precluded others from providing new ideas and perspectives on the Board.”
Natkins is one of the newcomers running for a spot on the Village of Huntley Board of Trustees.
Mary Holzkopf
What can you tell residents about your background?
“I graduated college with a degree in psychology, sociology, and social welfare. I lived overseas (in Australia) for many years, where I worked as a mental health professional, teaching adults life skills that allowed them to live as independently as possible.”
“When I moved back to America, I worked with youth in the system who had a dual diagnosis of MI/DD (mental illness/developmental delay). The main objective was to be their advocate and give them a voice…In addition to this, I have five children of my own as well as own a small business in [Huntley].”
What particular skills and/or experiences have prepared you to help serve the community as a trustee?
“Many of my life experiences have provided me with a large toolbox of skills that could greatly benefit this town. As trustee, I will listen to the voice of the people. I will listen to concerns and questions, and represent the voice of the collective. I also believe you should have a passion for making Huntley the best place it can possibly be, and one thing I’m not deficient in is having a big heart for positive change.”
Why are you running for the Board of Trustees? If elected, what will be your goal/priority to the community?
“I am running for Board of Trustees because I am incredibly invested in our community and I believe I have the assets needed to make positive changes. As a Huntley resident, small business owner, and parent of five children, I am committed to all facets of Huntley’s successes.”
“My business model was created with the purpose of giving back to my community members. If elected, my main goal in the community will be to focus on business development, particularly small business and additional sit-down dining establishments. I have heard our community cry out and time again, for a wider range of dining establishments and additional shopping options. Not only would this allow more residents to dine and shop local, it would also boost our tax revenue.”
What differentiates you from other candidates and why would you be a valuable addition to the Village?
“My unique background and desire to expand community outreach has equipped me to be successful in this role. Not only do I see a need for business growth and development, I also see a need for our community to be as supported in all areas as possible: education, employment, mental health, and general satisfaction of Huntley residents.”
“The combination of my previous work experience, life experience, and guttural desire to do the best for my community that I can, is what makes me a valuable addition to the Board.”
What are the top issues facing the Village and how will you work to resolve those issues?
“One of the top issues our village faces, is growing new business in town…We need to bring in businesses that are good fits in our community. In addition, I’d like to improve the access of information to residents. I would like more transparency between the Village and their community members by streaming Village meetings to other platforms so that residents can access it in whichever manner is most comfortable to them.”
“In addition, it is vital for residents to understand the agenda so that they know what questions to ask. The current agenda topics aren’t written in everyday language, and it makes it difficult for some to understand. I strongly feel these items should be presented in a way so that all levels of comprehension and education can interpret them.”
Do you feel too much emphasis is being placed on economic development, about the right amount, or not enough?
“It’s not about the amount of attention being given, it’s about redirecting our focus and attention to the right development. In the last 24 calendar months, Huntley lost at least six small businesses. I would like to establish a mentorship program for small businesses in our area so that they have every opportunity to succeed. We need to listen to residents and actively seek wanted businesses in town to complement the already amazing businesses we have.”
If elected, what steps would you take to put the Village of Huntley on a firmer financial footing?
“Consistent with what I’ve previously stated, business development needs to continue to grow and expand. This is one way to generate additional revenue.”
How do you plan to involve residents in the decision-making process in Huntley?
“The first thing we need to do is to make sure the residents are getting appropriate information so that they are empowered to make decisions. Touching on what I mentioned earlier, the way I would like to do this is by streaming Village meetings on multiple, user-friendly platforms.”
How do you feel about the transportation options currently available in the Village of Huntley? Do we have enough options? If not, what will you do to increase those?
“We don’t currently have any mass transportation options within the Village limits. Our town and surrounding towns, are structured for people who have private vehicles. I do feel that it would benefit our town greatly to have a Metra stop, but I would also need to see the cost analysis to see if it’s financially feasible.”
Are there any other items of information you would want individuals to know about you, and why you would make a good fit as a trustee member?
“I have absolutely no hidden agenda. My sole motivation is to make Huntley the best place it can possibly be for my family and yours. I am an honest and transparent individual who has a heart for this town and its community members, and I love the opportunity to further serve them.”
Holzkopf is the owner of Blessed Little Kitchen in Huntley and is a newcomer running for a spot on the Village of Huntley Board of Trustees.
Ronda Goldman
What can you tell residents about your background?
“I had an administrative background which led to working with community agencies, law firms, parent groups, and dealing with the Homeless Act. I retired from [the] Chicago Public School System where I was the High School Special Needs Field Administrator.”
Goldman is an active Sun City resident who has served on the Life Long Learning Committee for eight years. She also takes classes at McHenry County College.
What particular skills and/or experiences have prepared you to help serve the community as a trustee?
“I supervised programs and teachers at 17 high schools on the northside of Chicago. I gained experience in the art of negotiation along with using active listening skills. I have empathy towards people’s concerns, but also am cognizant that I have to remain neutral as I represent all of Huntley, not just one interest group.”
“I belong to the Huntley Area Lions Club and just received the ‘Lion of the Year’ award in 2020. I was the [vice president] of two boards: The Huntley Citizens Police Alumni Organization and the Huntley Historical Society. I co-sponsor a Leo Club at Huntley High School. I was on the Financial Advisory Committee of our school District 158 and sat on two, five-year vision planning committees.”
Goldman was a past member of the Huntley Zoning Board of Appeals, and was recently appointed to the Senior Services Grant Commission of the McHenry County Board.
Why are you re-running for the Board of Trustees? If re-elected, what will be your goal/priority to the community?
“I am rerunning for a third term because I want to see various projects completed. I look forward to planning new services and opportunities so that our residents continue to have quality of life for living in Huntley.”
“I want to see closure to our hotel being built, revamping of a historic building off the Square in our Historic District, want to see a commuter rail system (Metra or Amtrak) up and running with a quaint station, and want to see more restaurants and businesses come to the north side of Huntley. I especially want to promote the need for apartments as a housing option for our workers who would like to live close to their jobs; for young people who grew up in Huntley, and want to work and live here; and for singles and/or seniors who do not want the responsibilities of home ownership.”
What differentiates you from other candidates and why would you continue to be a valuable addition to the Village?
“I am more involved in civic organizations than the others, as well as having been appointed to a sub-committee of the McHenry County Board. I belong to the Huntley Chamber of Commerce and sit on a sub-committee which focuses on supporting our local businesses, especially in light of the impact of COVID-19. I won their ‘Unsung Hero’ award in 2015, for driving around other local communities to try to encourage businesses to open up another location in Huntley.”
“Because of all my community activities, I can bring new ideas and projects to our Board and as a senior, I understand the needs, fears, and often loneliness of many senior citizens who live in Huntley. They can relate to me because of my age. I also get along with our younger residents because of my energy, modern attitudes, and socialization with many social groups.”
What are the top issues facing the Village and how will you work to resolve those issues?
“We are facing some changes in monies received from government sources because of the impact COVID has had; unfulfilled staff positions trying to save on salaries and benefits; facing changes in policing methodologies and having to fund unfunded mandates such as body cameras; need to repair costly water main breaks, along with paving older streets; and what I think is the biggie—the plan to straighten out the curves and twists and turns of Kreutzer Road which has seen a number of accidents.”
Do you feel too much emphasis is being placed on economic development, about the right amount, or not enough?
“We have had several economic development directors who have actively tried to bring new companies, businesses, restaurants, and residents to Huntley. Last year, we had signage at Woodfield Mall about coming to Huntley to live.”
“We need to continue to pursue new business development along with new housing development. The Chamber Committee that I am on, is trying to come up with a creative, viable plan to bring people to Huntley this summer as Huntley is a historic village which at one time was the dairy capital.”
If re-elected, what steps would you take to continue to put the Village of Huntley on a firmer financial footing?
“We are prioritizing projects until the U.S.A. is past the COVID impact. We have frozen our tax levies over the past few years, not fulfilled those positions I mentioned, have kept infrastructure repairs at the top of our to-do list, have searched for government grants, and work cooperatively with both Kane and McHenry Counties and the three townships which cross Huntley.”
How do you plan to involve residents in the decision-making process in Huntley?
“I personally use social media (Facebook) to reach out to [resident] comments when they are looking for a solution. I have spoken over the years, to 21 neighborhoods in Sun City, as well as to five clubs about, ‘What’s hot and what’s not,’ in Huntley. I have a dream about starting up a Community Council where the Board can meet with residents every quarter.”
“Every year, Huntley puts out a community survey to our residents in August and I want to utilize their comments via this Community Council. By the way, our Board and mayor received an 81% favorable rating from the residents this past fall.”
How do you feel about the transportation options currently available in the Village of Huntley? Do we have enough options? If not, what will you do to increase those?
“We have Pace/Dial-A-Ride/McRide throughout all of Huntley, but we need to once again have more public service workshops for our residents relating to the transportation options. We need to have a commuter rail stop here as we have grown from a few thousand residents, to over 28,000 in a couple of decades.”
Are there any other items of information you would want individuals to know about you, and why you would continue to make a good fit as a trustee member?
“I work hard to be involved in the civic organizations I described so that people feel comfortable communicating with me if they have a concern or compliment. I am a senior and since we have a sizable senior population in Huntley, we can relate to each other’s needs.”
“I have belonged to the Chamber for over eight years and do not have a business, but want to support the members and their livelihoods. I have friends who are leaders in all of the taxing bodies which impact Huntley. I am accessible to talking with our residents since I am retired, but active.”
Goldman is one of the incumbents running for reelection on the Village of Huntley Board of Trustees, where she has served since 2013.
John Piwko
What can you tell residents about your background?
“I have been on the Village Board since 2007.”
Piwko served on the Planning Commission from 2005 to 2007. He also worked for a Chicago Alderman and a State Senator.
What particular skills and/or experiences have prepared you to help continue to serve the community as a trustee?
Piwko stated that his skills as a problem solver and compromiser, have prepared him to continue to serve the Huntley community.
Why are you re-running for the Board of Trustees? If re-elected, what will be your goal/priority to the community?
“I am running again, for trustee, to see several projects get completed. [I] bring a mix of residential growth and business growth to town.”
He stated that his goals include working on widening/straightening Kreutzer Road, as well as redeveloping the Catty building. Piwko also wants to focus on bringing a Metra station to the Huntley area.
What differentiates you from other candidates and why would you continue to be a valuable addition to the Village?
“I’m not out to win a popularity contest. I vote on items with the best interests of all of the residents. I talk to residents about what they feel about upcoming projects.”
“As stated, my vote is cast with all the residents in mind. I’m passionate about the Village and all that we offer. I’m at special events that the Village puts together.”
What are the top issues facing the Village and how will you work to resolve those issues?
“Transportation is a big issue in my mind. Redoing Kreutzer Road, Reed Road, and bringing Metra to town. With the Kreutzer Road extension, we have done engineering and have some of the funds already allocated to the project. The Reed Road extension has had some engineering done. Staff is working with the state on the Metra project.”
Do you feel too much emphasis is being placed on economic development, about the right amount, or not enough?
“I think we are putting the right amount of emphasis on economic development. I know it’s hard for residents to understand as to why one restaurant or business does not want to come to Huntley, but we have staff that are working on getting out the word that Huntley is available.”
If re-elected, what steps would you take to continue to put the Village of Huntley on a firmer financial footing?
“I think we have done a great job with saving money by using shared services with surrounding villages. We’ve held the levy flat for several years. We have less employees per capita than most of our surrounding neighbors.”
How do you plan to involve residents in the decision-making process in Huntley?
“I have, in the past, talked to residents and will continue to do so. Also, there are many Facebook groups that I am part of, that have opinions expressed on different events.”
How do you feel about the transportation options currently available in the Village of Huntley? Do we have enough options? If not, what will you do to increase those?
“We are part of the McRide Share-a-ride program in McHenry County. With a little luck, we may also have a Metra station in town.”
Are there any other items of information you would want individuals to know about you, and why you would continue to make a good fit as a trustee member?
“Although this role is considered a part time role, I’m always looking out for the Village residents. I am part of the CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) and CPAAA (Citizen’s Police Academy Alumni Association) and president of the Citizen’s Core Council which oversees both of the listed groups.”
“I volunteer or participate for all the special events sponsored by the Village. My family gets involved as well.”
Piwko is one of the incumbents running for reelection on the Village of Huntley Board of Trustees.
JR Westberg
What can you tell residents about your background?
“I was elected to the Board in 2013.”
What particular skills and/or experiences have prepared you to help continue to serve the community as a trustee?
“I have served Huntley since 2011 on the Planning Commission.”
Why are you re-running for the Board of Trustees? If re-elected, what will be your goal/priority to the community?
“I am running for re-election because I wish to finish some of the projects that have come up. [The] Kreutzer Road project, future development of single-family housing, and potentially a Metra station are high on my priority list. I welcome new housing, but with such projects, comes infrastructure and I will stand by no bonding. With Metra, I will seek the public input for its final location.”
What differentiates you from other candidates and why would you continue to be a valuable addition to the Village?
“I was a technology consultant for nearly 20 years. With my strong background in technology, I am always seeking new and creative ways to expand our technological changing needs.”
“I bring nearly eight years of experience to [the] Board. I have the passion and time to commit to our Village. In the nearly eight years serving on the Board, I have missed no more than five meetings…all of which were all planned and communicated with the Village staff.”
What are the top issues facing the Village and how will you work to resolve those issues?
“State funding and unfunded mandates are two of the biggest issues the Village is faced with. We keep a tight budget, but when it comes to capital improvements, we have to get creative with minimal support from the state.”
Do you feel too much emphasis is being placed on economic development, about the right amount, or not enough?
“I have always supported our staff and their efforts to bring in new projects. Given the current climate of the economy we are putting forth an effort that fits within our budget. Should that change, then I will fully support adding additional resources when that time arises.”
If re-elected, what steps would you take to continue to put the Village of Huntley on a firmer financial footing?
“Our tax levy has remained flat for many years. Village staff, with our direction, keeps the budget tight and we have an obligation to keep it that way for our residents. Our pension liability, coupled with 130 miles of aging roads is challenging, but each year, we make it happen for our residents.”
How do you plan to involve residents in the decision-making process in Huntley?
“There are many ways that the residents communicate with me, mostly via social media or via village email. I have always been diligent to respond and ensure their answers or concerns are addressed.”
How do you feel about the transportation options currently available in the Village of Huntley? Do we have enough options? If not, what will you do to increase those?
“We adopted the McRide program shortly after 2013. It is an economical way to get transportation throughout McHenry County, and it is also ADA equipped. 2021, the McRide program is fully funded by the county and will now save $30,000 annually to the Village.”
“As of October 2020, Metra expressed interest in making Huntley a stop. Should this project come to fruition, I would seek input from the residents of its location without impairing vehicle and pedestrian traffic.”
Are there any other items of information you would want individuals to know about you, and why you would continue to make a good fit as a trustee member?
“My attendance record speaks for itself. I am dedicated and devoted to Huntley and would love to continue serving our residents.”
Westberg is one of the incumbents running for reelection on the Village of Huntley Board of Trustees.
He is the owner of Parkside Pub in Huntley.
