About Bita Buenrostro - 43rd Ward

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  What do you believe are the qualities the community desires in an elected official?

  1 0 Leadership. The community wants someone to keep an eye on the future of their neighborhood and to make difficult decisions regarding growth. In some cases we have residents pitted against developers and they are looking for someone to lead them to a solution that is beneficial to all. People want jobs and economic growth, but they want it to be done with care and to preserve the character of their homes and neighborhoods. Integrity. Most people are tired of Machine Politics and insider games. They would like a more open and accountable city government with less waste and no surprise back‐room deals. Fiscal Responsibility. The city is in a financial mess. We need someone that can find places to cut the budget without hurting the residents or the front line city employees. Bita Buenrostro - 43rd Ward answered in Questions for Candidates about 1 year ago Answer, comment & read 20 more answers »

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  What do you believe qualifies you to run for public office?

  0 0 17 years as the general manager of a successful small business with employees has proven my leadership abilities. Integrity. I am a well‐respected member of the community, I know that in Chicago, the best path to success is still hard work rather than back room dealings. . I have run a positive and honest campaign, and I will do the same for the ward office. Fiscal Responsibility, Ward finances are a little different, but I have managed the finances of a successful business well, and like everyone I want to see my tax dollars used wisely. I will fight to keep taxes as low as possible. I will make sure that the city services run as efficiently as possible and that the people of the 43rd ward receive the services that they pay for. Representativeness. I am not a career politician. Like most people, I go to work every day, I deal with parking problems, I get frustrated at CTA issues, and I worry about the safety of my home. I can best represent the majority of the hardworking people of the 43rd ward on the city council. Bita Buenrostro - 43rd Ward answered in Questions for Candidates about 1 year ago Answer, comment & read 23 more answers »

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  What do you believe is the reason behind the increase in youth violence and how do you plan to address it?

  3 0 Our children must learn correct behavior from their families, their teachers, and their community leaders. The first time they see a policeman should not be when they are arrested, but instead in a school setting where they can ask questions and learn about what police officers do for them. The entire community must be engaged with children at a very young age and continue to support them as they grow older. Bita Buenrostro - 43rd Ward answered in Questions for Candidates about 1 year ago Answer, comment & read 20 more answers »

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  What are your plans to increase job and employment opportunities in the city of Chicago?

  0 0 What are your plans to increase job and employment opportunities in the city of Chicago? I will work with the mayor and the new city council on initiatives to increase employment in our city. Whether we need have them relocate here, I will support these actions. In the 43rd Ward, I will work with our small businesses to help them to navigate the city’s license structure and assist them surviving their first year of operation. I will also promote the ward to tourist and convention goers as a place to shop and enjoy a pleasant evening. Tourism dollars will help to keep our small businesses healthy in the 43rd ward. Bita Buenrostro - 43rd Ward answered in Questions for Candidates about 1 year ago Answer, comment & read 21 more answers »

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  What will you do to improve the Chicago Public School system, from kindergarten through high school?

  0 0 Having experienced three different countries’ school systems in my life, and being the daughter of a teacher, I have a unique insight into education. Chicago’s schools are a challenge, but there are a few actions we can take right now to make them better. I believe that LSCs should be given as much of a voice as possible. I believe that the Board of Education should be elected. I believe that the CEO of CPS should have an educational background in addition to administrative. I do support the concept of magnet schools, and sometimes Charter Schools as well. I also support some average class size restrictions. Regarding special needs students, I will listen to the expert educators and to the parents and community to make decisions that benefit us all. Bita Buenrostro - 43rd Ward answered in Questions for Candidates about 1 year ago Answer, comment & read 22 more answers »

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  What are your thoughts about the costs of housing in Chicago, both for ownership and rental? Are there particular actions that you will take?

  0 0 This is not a major problem in the 43rd ward. Most of our home‐owning residents would like to continue to see their home values rise. I do support a standard requirement of 15‐20% of new construction being designated as low‐cost housing or housing targeted at low‐income families. Bita Buenrostro - 43rd Ward answered in Questions for Candidates about 1 year ago Answer, comment & read 20 more answers »

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  What are your feelings about public housing and assisted living in the city of Chicago? Are there particular actions that you will take on the issue?

  1 0 Public Housing in and around the 43rd ward is sufficient. I feel that the closing of Cabrini Green and the move to distributed housing has been better for all concerned parties. Bita Buenrostro - 43rd Ward answered in Questions for Candidates about 1 year ago Answer, comment & read 20 more answers »

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  How do you perceive the issues of drugs and crime and what will you do to address them?

  0 1 Crime is on the rise in our ward. I intend to make sure that we have more Police on Patrol in our neighborhoods. Our proud residents want to have a safe place to live. Illegal drugs are not acceptable. I believe that we can lead by example and that society must teach that drugs are not something that young people should “experiment” with. In fact, I will call for all aldermen, like other city workers, to submit to a drug test before taking office. Bita Buenrostro - 43rd Ward answered in Questions for Candidates about 1 year ago Answer, comment & read 20 more answers »

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  How do you plan to deal with the city budget and the current city deficit?

  1 0 It took 50 aldermen and an entrenched mayor to get us into this mess. A single alderman alone cannot get us out of it, but I can lead by example. I will reduce my salary and office costs to 2007 levels. I also know that we can merge some city council committees and save tax dollars. I feel that some city departments can reduce their costs, for instance, the office of special events can look for sponsors, not privatization, but sponsorship of festivals and events that can lead to less spending by the city. I also know that we can merge some city departments into others without a negative effect on city services. Regarding pension liability, I feel that the city has made some bad investments with the pension funds, and instead we can look for some higher grade investments there. Additionally, for pensions, we can work with new hires to move them to a personal savings plan, and we can prevent fraud. I will also work toward TIF reform, and request that outdated TIFs be shut down. I will also hold city managers accountable for costs and services. Bita Buenrostro - 43rd Ward answered in Questions for Candidates about 1 year ago Answer, comment & read 21 more answers »

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  How do you feel about the claim that Chicago politics and city government is rife with corruption?

  1 0 Growing up in Iran, I have seen the result of government corruption at its worst, and I hate it. In Chicago corruption may have been the way that things got done, but with a new mayor and a high turnover in City council, we have an opportunity to build a brand new government in 2011. ‘Politics as usual’ will not work now. We need city leaders that can stick to a budget, people that are representative of their neighbors, and people that have shown integrity throughout their lives. I will publish my ward financial information and will run a transparent ward office. But not only that, if I see something wrong at the city level, I personally will go to the press and publicize it. The people of Chicago do not have the means to pay for insider deals or corruption in their government. We deserve better. Bita Buenrostro - 43rd Ward answered in Questions for Candidates about 1 year ago Answer, comment & read 20 more answers »

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