Candidate questionnaire: Mary Alexander-Basta, Bolingbrook trustee

Name: Mary Sabri Alexander-Basta

Age:  52

Office sought: Bolingbrook Village trustee

Political party: First Party For Bolingbrook

Town where you currently reside: Bolingbrook

Occupation (employer): Event Design

Spouse/Children: Married with two children

Education: Hospitality Management - Tennessee State University

Website: Firstparty4Bolingbrook.com

Email: malexanderbasta@gmail.com

Phone: 630-333-6513

Facebook: FirstParty4Bolingbrook

Twitter: @FirstParty4Bolingbrook

Why are you running for the elected office you're seeking?

When I was growing up, my father encouraged my brother and me to be aware of the community around us and to look for a life that would include service to others. My brother, of whom I am very proud, found his way into public service, where he currently serves as a volunteer fireman for the city of Roswell, Georgia. I found a life in the hospitality industry and my way to the Chicago area. When I met my husband and we began our life together, we found a great community in Bolingbrook where we chose to settle and raise a family. I found ways to follow my father's guidance by getting involved in the schools and activities and support the education and interests of our two sons. I became more involved, and my family became part of the fabric of this amazing community where we all truly enjoy our life. When I was asked to consider running for the office of Village trustee, our entire family agreed to accept this very important and humbling responsibility because we are proud of Bolingbrook and how far it has come over the past 53 years. For a town that is so young, we have exceeded our neighboring communities in building the infrastructure to attract new businesses and welcome a wonderfully diverse population of people who chose Bolingbrook. I want to be a part of the continued growth in Bolingbrook. I want to continue celebrating the diversity and make Bolingbrook a welcoming place for all. Finally, I want to be an example for my children as well as others and show them that communities succeed when their members step up and get involved.

What skills, qualities or experience do you have that separate you from your opponents?

I have been and am currently involved in the community in various capacities. I am the chair of the Bolingbrook Plan Commission, I am an executive board member of the Bolingbrook Soccer Club, founding VP of the Bolingbrook STEM Association and president of the JFK Middle School PTA. My service to the community has been acknowledged in several ways including being chosen as the 2018 Bolingbrook Female Citizen of the Year and most recently 2018-19 CAPE award winner. Getting involved in and with the community is not something I plan on doing when elected, it is what I have been doing, what I am doing and what I will continue to do.  My business experience and my service to the youth organizations, which have enriched my life, enable me to contribute to the betterment of the community in a very efficient manner.

What are the greatest challenges Bolingbrook is facing in the coming years?

Bolingbrook already has all of its infrastructure in place as well as a plan for repayment of debt that has been acknowledged by those financial institutions that serve all communities in this country. We are already growing and attracting new home developers as the economy is on a rebound. Like any other municipality in the state of Illinois, we are dealing with the issue of high property taxes due to the state not paying its portion for schools. As a trustee, I plan to hold the line on the Village portion of property taxes and seek to expand the alternate revenue streams already in place. The challenge will be to work with the other taxing bodies to try and have them do the same.

If elected, what will be your top three priorities?

To be fiscally responsible and transparent in how we deliver our services in a responsible manner;

To continue to be involved in the community and effectively communicate what is happening on a Village level;

To continue to grow our diversity and invest in our community to ensure a high quality of life for all residents.