Village Clerk Candidate: Janet Sirabian

Name: Janet Sirabian

Age: 69

Incumbent? Yes – 32 years

Family: 2 children/3 grandchildren

Community Involvement:

• Chair of Buffalo Grove 50th Anniversary Committee
• Hope Lutheran Church - numerous activities and committees
• Northwest Suburban United Way Board of Directors
• Buffalo Grove Relay for Life

Link to campaign website: None

Why are you running for Village Clerk?
Because I enjoy the job and I believe I provide a beneficial service to the
community.

What are the key issues that the clerk will have to address in the next four years?

The Clerk’s office is pretty much a constant. The main duties are providing an accurate account of the Village Board proceedings and keeping the records of the municipality. The key issues would be keeping up with the constant revisions of election, OMA and FOIA laws, and keeping current on technology.

What are your top three goals as Village Clerk?

I believe the top issue of the Clerk’s office is to increase voter participation. Voter participation in municipal elections typically is 10%-25%. I am continually looking for ways to stress upon residents how important it is for them to have a voice in their community.

I would also like to see residents become more aware of what is taking place in the government of the community. Municipal government is what has the most effect on our daily lives. Interest in our proceedings vastly increased in the past two years, and I hope to see that increased interest maintained.

I would like to see everyone volunteer in some capacity in the community. Buffalo Grove would not be the great community that it is without the volunteers that contribute to the Village, their schools, their houses of worship, and a multitude of other organizations. Volunteering not only benefits others, but it benefits the volunteer. It is a great feeling to know that you have contributed to a cause in some
way. It also gives you a sense of ownership in your community, and you will make lifelong friends.

What are some of the village’s strengths?

• Exceptional fiscal management
• Exceptional Village staff
• Dedicated elected officials
• Exceptional park services
• Exceptional schools
• Wonderful neighbors who truly care about and look out for each other

If elected, in what ways would your service be an asset to the village?

I believe my experience and dedication to the position of Village Clerk is an asset to the community. I also believe that my knowledge of the community and my connection to the community and residents after living here for 43 years is a tremendous asset. One of my primary activities is to act as a liaison between the residents and either the Village staff or the Village Board.

What distinguishes you from your opponent?

There are profound differences between me and my opponent. I have integrity, experience in office and a long record of dedicated service. My opponent has never held office, and his “spotless reputation” includes his “record” which is a criminal record, and his “service” was two jail terms as a result of his conviction on charges of domestic battery and further violations of the conditions of his sentence. I believe the main distinction is that I have a continued desire to remain the Village Clerk and to perform the duties of that office. My opponent, on the other hand, has the following quote posted on his website: “It's a lousy, boring job. I don't want to be Buffalo Grove Village Clerk."