About Kimberly Malay

Name: Kimberly Malay

Position sought: St. Charles 5th Ward Alderman

Campaign contact information: www.kimmalay.com

kmalay-5th-ward@att.net

630-587-1529

What will be your single most important priority if you get elected?

Economic development/business retention is my priority and I feel it is critical to the future of St. Charles. It hasn’t been the main focus for a while now.Economic development/businesses retention is key to generating revenues and controlling issues like property taxes. It will provide jobs, interest in our City and quality of life, just to name a few benefits. We as a City need to make this a top priority.

Home address: Ward 5, St. Charles IL 60174

Family members: Jim Malay, 55, husband

Kallin Kelty, 26, daughter

Education: Wheaton North High School – 1985;

College of DuPage

Current occupation and employer:

Optician, ABOC — Hauser Ross Optical — Current

Advisor — Lia Sophia Jewelry (self employed) — 9yrs — Current

Total of nearly 23 tears of Government Employment:

Historic Preservation Coordinator — City of St. Charles

Permit Tech — DuPage County Building Dept

Computer Operator — DuPage Circuit Court Clerk

Political party affiliation: Conservative Independent

Why Are You Seeking Office?

St. Charles is struggling with economic development, fiscal responsibility, finishing First Street, and having a clear plan for the future. There’s distrust in our government by the residents. Residents deserve better. With 23 years of government experience, community involvement and working with the residents of our west side on key issues, keeping them informed every step of the way, I bring experience, vision, ethics and a willingness to work hard to bring STC back to being the Pride of the Fox Valley.

What sets you apart from the other candidates?

23 years working in government, nearly 15 with City of St. Charles.

Deeply involved in STC community service over the last 18 years

Formed “Near West Neighborhood Association” 4 years ago helping residents to voice their concerns on developments including Towne Centre, Corporate Reserves and Lexington Club.

Candidate with the most experience and knowledge.

Proven leadership and ethics to move our City forward.

Constantly in contact with west side residents keeping them informed and updated on City and neighborhood issues.

Issue 1: What is your ecomonic development strategy for the city of St. Charles?

Make economic development THE top priority.

Seek to bring new businesses unique to the Western suburbs.

Work to retain existing businesses including holding a business round table to gain their input

Use our heritage and develop cultural attractions, especially downtown.

Develop more incentives instead of using just Tax Incentives or TIFs. Things like reduced permit fees, sign funding assistance etc…

Find solutions to our transportation issues to help bring in out of town guests and help shoppers get around easier.

Issue 2: In light of the anger over the Lexington Club controversy, what steps would you take to restore trust in city government? To increase transparency?

Propose and pass an Ethics Ordinance

Require developers to meet with the residents prior to filing applications

Continue my constant communication with the residents including email, website, town hall meetings and door to door contact. I always have asked for the residents thoughts and will continue to do so.

Welcome and respect residents’ wanting to give feedback and allow everyone to speak at meetings.

Better advertisement when key issues are being discussed and meetings are being held

Issue 3: What steps would you take to help resolve the complaints of alcohol-related problems in the downtown area?

Create separate liquor license for taverns and limit the number issued

Make stricter penalties and fines. The more offenses per location the stricter the fine and penalties including loss of license

Work closely with the newly formed Bar Association to help develop solutions.

Stronger enforcement

Encourage discussion between tavern owners and other downtown business owners to find solutions on issues facing those other businesses from the tavern patrons.

Please add any other information pertinent to your campaign.

Over my 23 years of government employment, especially with my many years with the St. Charles Community Development Department,I developed an exceptional education about government, its function and process both good and bad. I am aware of what internal improvements are needed and how they can be made. I know and understand the history of many of the decisions that have been made and developments that were approved over the last few decades along with what has worked and what hasn’t. I bring to this office a unique perspective because I have been on the inside of our government as an employee, I worked very closely with residents, helped them get answers to their questions, address their concerns and assist them through various processes. I’ve been a volunteer for several community organizations working to make St. Charles the best it can be, I have worked in the construction industry and been the applicant going through the process, I have been a resident trying to address my concerns and I have been a community leader working to help the residents address their concerns and letting their voice be heard to protect our community.

In the last 4 years I formed the Near West Neighborhood Association. I have been keeping many of our residents informed of issues and events that are important to them via emails, a website, and holding meetings to discuss key issues. I have constantly asked residents for their thoughts and views on those key issues and any others, attended hundreds of City meetings to stay informed and represent the views of our residents. With my years working for the City along with the years representing the residents, I have gained the respect of many on the Council and have a very good relationship with many. I know we will work well together. I basically have been willingly and voluntarily carrying out the responsibilities of an Alderman. I plan to be just as involved as your elected Alderman. I will keep you informed and ask for your feedback and involvement, we will work together to make St. Charles the Pride of the Fox Valley once again.

As Einstein said, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” In many ways this is how our City has been acting in recent years with ignoring our sagging commercial gateways, downtown and the many costly TIF agreements they have put in place. We need clear change along with a new vision and new ideas to achieve the results we need to grow our commercial base, redevelop our East and West Gateways, finishing of First Street and increasing City revenues. I have that vision, I have plenty of ideas and I am able to think out of the box and see the big picture while protecting our history and historic resources along with our quality of life. Electing me as 5th Ward alderman, you will see good, strong and active communication and representation for our 5th Ward and our community as a whole.

To see more about my goals and how I will work hard for you and community please visit www.kimmalay.com.

Related:

• Sept. 24, 2012: Malay Runs for St. Charles’ 5th Ward Seat