Name: Edwenna Perkins

Age: 74
Previous political experience: 14 years as a government official. 10 years as Trustee and 4 years as
Mayor
Previous community experience: Outside of government service I served as a volunteer and was
involved in community projects and activities for over 20 years.
Occupation: I am the Current Mayor of the Village of Maywood and Retired Federal Postal Worker
Education: Im a graduate of Proviso East HS. I also attended Triton College and Moody Bible College
Please answer the following questions to the best of your ability. Full disclosure: parts, or all, of your
answers are likely be published:
What is your understanding of the role and functions of the position of Mayor of Maywood?
To hold the position of Mayor in any community means to be a leader and legislator in that
community. It is the Mayors job to be an advocate for the people. I consider myself to be a
visionary leader with an open mindset and focus for the future. As Mayor, it is also my job
with the assistance of other leaders, to seek and obtain resources, assure the village
provides services, and promote economic stability.
What is your understanding of the role and functions of the Maywood Board of Trustees?
The position of the Trustee is in line with that of the Mayor. Theyre job is to collective work
with each other and the Mayor to seek and obtain resources, assure the village provides
services, and promote economic stability through community legislation.
What is your understanding of Maywoods structural strengths and weaknesses? List a few structural
strengths and weaknesses that you may perceive the village to have?
Maywoods strength lies in its prime location and structural stock. We are no more than 30
minutes from any major metropolis. The structural weakness in Maywood lies in its
governmental structure. We have a village manager form of government, which means that
the day to day operations are left in the hands of a manager that is usually not from the town.
What do you understand about Maywoods property taxes? Do you think theyre too low, just at the
right level or too high? If too high or low, what are some of your ideas for bringing them to the level
you believe is sufficient?
This is what I feel the people should know about property taxes. Most housing structures in
Maywood sit on multiple lots of land, which are comparable to the housing stock in Oak Park
and River Forest. Your assessment may be higher or lower based on the housing market at
that time. Your tax bills are calculated by a multiplier that consisting of the tax rate from
approximately 10 to 12 different taxing bodies. So even if the Village of Maywood
themselves never increased their percentage (which could never happen do to union
contracts and employee pension funds) you would be guaranteed an increase from other
bodies. Thats why I encourage all homeowners to appeal their property assessment on a
yearly basis.
What is your understanding of Maywoods general business climate? Do you think Maywood can
improve its business climate and, if so, how?
I believe that Maywoods business climate is up and coming. That is why I support the EGI-
Economic Growth Initiative which promotes the growth in the economic base by engaging
youth in innovative programming and service to the community this leads to greater
participation inthe consumer trade area, stable employment rates, low crime, increase in per
capita incomes and an aesthetically pleasing landscape. With this incentive, we can engage
our community starting with youth entrepreneurial training, with that I believe the sky is the
limit for business opportunity.
What is your understanding of Maywoods reputation in certain industry circles (i.e., retail,
manufacturing, etc.) as a place to do business? Do you think Maywood can improve its reputation
and, if so, how?
 Maywoods reputation in certain industry circles is very poor. But as I quote on every
agenda under the Mayors report. "A SHIFT IS COMING, THINGS ARE CHANGING IN OUR
FAVOR, WHEN THE PEOPLE GET A MIND TO WORK". What I mean by a mind to work is
to promote businesses into coming into our town and not disengage with major stake holder
such as Win Trust Bank, who are willing to come into town and build, and offer services to our
residents.
What is your understanding of how Maywood is zoned? Do you believe that Maywood is zoned just
right or can the village's zoning codes be improved? And what is your opinion of how the village
currently enforces its zoning codes?
I dont feel that all areas in Maywood are zoned to the best interest of the community. There
are businesses that were zoned in the past and established, but when they closed some
were rezoned which prevented the structures from being reoccupied. I believe that we can
do a much better job at assisting the existing and potential business with compliance issues
through procedural enforcement.
What is your understanding of TIF zones? Do you believe that they have adequately mitigated blighted
areas in the village? Would you consider approving a plan to create a new TIF district if it ever came
to that? Do you have some ideas about how TIF surplus funds should be distributed?
Tax Increment Financing (TIF) zones are designed to subsidize for redevelopment and
community improvements. In some instances Maywood TIF has been an asset to the
community for industrial companies and some small businesses. I dont believe that it has
been the answer to blighted properties because to receive funding you have to follow a
process and the owners of some of the properties are tax delinquent and not adequate for
business use. I believe that surplus funding should be used for training youth to engage in
business and job development and not used to tear down properties along major village
corridors without a solid plan for redevelopment; prime example 5th Avenue structures torn
down and left as eye sores.
What is your understanding of Maywood's comprehensive plan? Do you believe that it is an effective
tool for managing the village's long-term economic and infrastructural development?
The comprehensive plan is developed to help illustrate the direction that the village plans to
take in its business and resident community. It is a great tool to use if it is followed
correctly. For example the new construction of the Metra Station indoor structure, this will be
a major focal point for economic development for a 5th Avenue business district.
Do you believe that the village spends not enough, just enough or too much money on outside
contractors, in general, and legal fees, in particular? If you believe not enough or too much money,
what are some of your ideas for getting those expenditures to a level you believe is sufficient?
I think that we spend too much on outside contractors, thats why I feel its necessary to
utilize the bid process. Our legal fees are absorbent because we rely on the attorneys to do
what we pay staff to be able to handle. So if we hold our department heads accountable we
would be able to reduce these fees.
Do you believe that Maywood is, generally speaking, a safe community? If so, what are some things
that make this so? If not, what are some ideas you have to make the village safer?
The Village needs better patrol, better enforcement of village ordinances, and shared
responsibility in our community. A lot of the crime activity comes from outside of the village
borders and ends up here which puts a black eye on our community. People dont report
and take action when they know that crime is going on. I know that is due to fear of
retaliation, but we as a community need to make up our minds to protect our homes and
town.
Do you believe that the village spends not enough, just enough or too much money to settle police
misconduct and workmans compensation cases? If you believe too much or too little money, what
are some of your ideas for getting those expenditures to a level you believe is sufficient?
The village spends far too much to settle police misconduct and workmans compensation
cases. I think that we can counteract that by providing more productive training to
 employees, due diligence from the HR department and Village Managers department, and
better use of our employee assistance plan.
From what you can tell, is there currently a system in place that effectively evaluates the performance
of village administrators and employees? If not, do you think one needs to be implemented?
There is a current performance evaluation form. Im not aware of how effective it is. There
are some weaknesses in different departments. I can only hope that the policies are
followed and department heads and other employees alike take ownership in theyre jobs.
Are you satisfied or dissatisfied with the performance of the following village administrators (please
make sure to express your opinion on each employee):
o Village Manager Willie Norfleet, Jr.,
o Police Chief Valdimir Tally,
o Fire Chief Craig Bronaugh,
o Public Works Director John West,
o Finance Director Lanya Satchell
o HR Coordinator LaSondra Banks.

I dont have a specific comment or opinion on any of the listed administrators or department
heads (that would be micromanagement). The performance of each individual department
speaks for itself.

The population of Maywood has changed rather dramatically in the last 10 years, with the village
having experienced a significant infusion of Hispanic residents. For instance, the student population
of both Districts 89 and 209 is more than 50 percent Hispanic. Do you believe that this growing
demographic is adequately represented in the village? If not, what are some of your ideas for
reaching out to the Hispanic community in Maywood?
I understand that the Maywood community along with the country is changing to include a
greater population of Hispanics/Latinos. As a matter of fact my daughter is a fluent Spanish
speaker. Nevertheless I believe that a village resident, is village resident, no matter what
race or heritage. The people decide who represents them and I will always fight for the
people to be heard.
Do you believe that Maywood should be a sanctuary city? Explain why or why not?
I dont believe that Maywood should be a sanctuary city because the village is in no position
to lose any funding. I believe that there are other ways to address the same situation without
becoming a sanctuary city.
What is your general approach to economic development? How involved do you feel board members
should be in the process? And do you feel that village officials are too aggressive, not aggressive
enough or just right in their pursuit of development opportunities?
I dont think that we are aggressive enough. The village should be at the table to be
recipients of small and large economic opportunities. We need to actively pursue
companies and be willing to go the extra mile as a board of leaders to secure growth through
property and retail taxes.
The village owns a substantial amount of commercial property throughout Maywood. What are your
thoughts on how the village should go about selling (or preserving, if you don't believe it should be
sold) the land and/or properties that it owns? Are there instances in which you would support a
prospective developer acquiring village-owned property at a significantly lower price than the
propertys appraised value? Do you have ideas on how the village can expedite the process of
getting the property that it owns back on the tax rolls (if you feel that the process needs to be
expedited)?
 I feel that the villages commercial properties should be sold. We should develop a
marketing strategy to appeal to companies and investors with economic resources and
financial stability.
If elected, what are the three things that you would do as mayor right after your swearing-in (and right
after means within your first two months as mayor)? Be as specific as possible.
WITH A BOARD THAT IS WILLING TO WORK TOGETHER TO
MAKE THE COMMUNITY BETTER
o Aggressively work to obtain a business and technology district (retail, grocery,
industry, technology center, etc.) GET A GROCERY STORE
o Hold management accountable to provide residents with adequate services and
problem resolution.
o WORK AND FIGHT FOR THE PEOPLE TO BE HEARD!!!!
If you have a specific "vision" for Maywood, please lay out, in detail, what that is.