Name: Judie Nash
Position sought: Channahon Village President
Campaign contact information:
- Website: None provided
- E-mail address: judie.nash@gmail.com
- Phone: 815-263-7578
- Address: 26516 West Melissa Drive, Channahon
Home address: Channahon
Age: 41
Family: Husband, John, Daughters Lili and Scarlett
Education: B.S. Elementary Education, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, M.A. Educational Administration, Governors State University; J.D. The John Marshall Law School
Occupation: Professional Development Coordinator, Valley View S.D.
Political party affiliation, if any: Independent
Previous elected offices: Village Trustee, 13 years
Applicable experience qualifying you for the position: Aside from experience on the Village Board, I have leadership experience in the public sector, including budgeting, personnel supervision, and liaison work with stakeholder groups.
What is the primary reason you are running for this office?
I feel it is time for a change in leadership in the Village. Hopefully, the citizens of Channahon know that I have the best interest of the Village at heart. They have seen my voting record over the past 13 years, and know that I am a person without an agenda, but with a vested interest in our community well being. My family has chosen to raise a family here, I encouraged my extended family to relocate here. We live in a wonderful town with much to offer. My focus is setting policy and running the village with an eye on the big picture.
What will be your single most important priority if you get elected?
Improve the community feel and communication with residents. I want to make information, such as Village Board meetings more accessible to residents. Getting them all video taped and posted on the web and cable is a priority. We also need to take a deeper look at our budget and the way we do business to trim our expenditures and bring in revenue. I am alarmed by the number of houses for sale in the Village. People are struggling to keep their homes. We have to keep the town attractive to maintain property values, but also control spending to lower the tax burden on families. Finally, I would like to see an expansion of our Citizen Advisory. The current membership has much to offer by way of input and direction, and can be a great conduit of communication if utilized consistently.
What sets you apart from the other candidates, if contested?
I bring a fresh perspective, first of all, yet a track record of voting on the tough issues, staying firm to the values that Village has held dear, but also voicing compromise when needed. I am much like the majority of our residents…a working parent, trying to maintain a household within a strict budget, wanting a safe place to raise a family.
How long have you lived in Channahon?
Since May 1993. My husband I bought our first home behind the bowling alley, and then built our dream home in 2001.
What's your favorite thing about Channahon?
The people! Throughout this campaign, I have heard from and met so many wonderful folks. Win or lose, meeting them inspires me to keep doing what I am doing. I have always told friends I live in the best kept secret in Will County.
What is the biggest problem in Channahon?
The same problems that have existed over the past several years have not changed: infrastructure that needs repair and expansion; safety around our interchanges; empty storefronts; lack of business growth. There are no easy answers to these issues, and the solutions will need careful consideration, planning and citizen input.
