Christopher Higgins

On the Record

What experiences do you have that make you a good candidate for office?

First, I have lived in Maple Park for over seven years after growing up in Saint Charles and owning a home in Batavia. I have an understanding of the services expected by residents in the communities that Maple Park is competing for residents. As a successful small business professional I understand how to work on a budget and get the most out of your money. I have also been on the Board of Directors of the Elgin Downtown Neighborhood Association a nonprofit Illinois Main Street Association and been on the economic development committee. The Economic Development Committee focuses on creating a plan to attract and retain businesses in the downtown and creating a volunteer effort to help building owners of distressed buildings give a face lift to make it more inviting to customers of neighboring businesses making the building easier to rent or sell. We do all of this while balancing a historic downtown and the need for upgrades to compete in the market for tenants.

What are your top three priorities if elected?

There are many issues that the residents are concerned about. My priorities would be the issues I have heard about for years. Many of them are intertwined and related, but first would have to start with enforcement of existing rules and regulations. The inconsistent enforcement has caused neighbor disputes and confused the public as to what the rules are making it difficult to follow the rules. Second, would be parking, it is included in enforcement I would want to review the ordinances and codes. Parking needs to be clear and consistent and enforced consistently. Third would be the cost of the water/sewer to the residents. Maple Park water/sewer is considerably more expensive than surrounding municipalities and the water costs drastically reduce resident’s discretionary income. By dealing with these issues we will be able to attract more businesses to Maple Park and retain them while helping increase housing values which are a win for everyone.

Would you support freezing your taxing district’s levy until housing prices rebound? Why or why not?

I do think that freezing levy could help elevate the some of the burdens caused by the housing market for the residents. Attracting new residents and helping the housing market recover will both help the residents and increase revenue for the village over time.

What one decision by the board do you most disagree with and why?

The Village deals with many complicated issues having to balance the individual’s rights vs. the effect on neighbors all of the time and these are hard decisions. Not to mention having to live within the means of the budget. So despite not all decisions have gone the way I would have liked, I feel the board is working together for the common goal of making Maple Park a better place to live and work.

What was the biggest accomplishment of the board in the past year?

One of the biggest accomplishments of the board I feel has been budget. In these times of reduced revenues the board has been able to maintain services for the residents while finding a way to continue to repairing a crumbling infrastructure and sewer system downtown.

Why should voters elect you to office?

I have a unique experience that I hope I can use to help the board and village move forward. With my experience as an IT manager I hope to help the village be more efficient and better use it resources. My experience on the primarily volunteer Downtown Neighborhood Association will bring a new perspective on how to revitalize downtown. I am an independent voice and try to see things from both sides. On any issue my first question is should municipal government get involved. Second, will be how will it help the residents and third what are the unintended consequences of the action. I have seen many times when communication and consistent enforcement has solved the issue. I will always be the voice to protect the rights of the individual and get the residents the most for their tax dollar.