Activist Toolkit

1. What motivates you to seek this office? What skills, experiences, and perspectives would you bring, and why would those contributions be valuable in the office you are seeking?

I was raised in Berwyn and have had the opportunity to see the town change with time. The community has instilled some of the greatest values in me, one of the strongest being service. When I made the decision to go away to college I knew I wanted to return to Berwyn, establish my roots and empower my community by being a valuable asset. 

Being a young, educated, latina woman gives me the opportunity to be a voice of representation that I feel currently lacks in Berwyn which is why I decided to run for Alderwoman. My skill set has developed tremendously with time and I honed in on critical thinking and communication which is why I decided to pursue and earn a degree in Finance. I not only mastered these skills but also further developed my planning, analyzing and organizing skills to adopt solutions the best way I could. I am a pragmatic leader with attention to detail, this job requires someone to be of service to the constituents, maintaining dialogue between them and the city keeping their best interests in mind. I know my skill set to be valuable and I will be able to serve them well.

2. When in the past have you had to balance competing interests? What process did you use? What did you learn?

I was very involved as a resident this past summer in community led efforts centered on transparency in the Berwyn Police department. This resulted in Community forums which I attended. The conflict of interest that was voiced was the absence of community feedback or knowledge of procurement procedures, or how money/contracts are “bid”. 

I attended these forums to participate and familiarize myself with the current process in place. 

I also spend several days talking one on one with folks from my neighborhood and found many different opinions and perspectives on the subject at hand, but they did not or would not attend the forums to voice their opinions. 

However, while at these forums, only a handful residents vocalized their concerns/opinions, and that’s where I learned how many other voices and perspectives, and solutions, are being left out of the conversation. 

Those that bravely vocalized their concerns were already part of a small group of residents, but again so many other voices and questions never made it to the forum. 

I learned here that community forums are vital, but cannot be the only approach if we are to truly gauge and engage the community at large.

The process I would’ve used is field surveying of the wards per ward, per alderman. I believe our role is just that: to be in constant communication with our residents and to ensure more than a few speak for all. After surveying, I would also include a process for feedback to be Listening Sessions and not only presentations prior to decision of impact from City departments. 

While my experience is theoretical, my commitment to engagement is solid, which is why I propose the process for feedback to include a variety of settings and engagement tools.

3. What does transparency in government mean to you? How would you put it into practice?

Transparency in government to me means information is not kept from its residents or concealed, everyone should have the same access to all available resources. I would ensure that transparency and engagement go hand in hand. I would do this by providing quarterly reports to constituents in English with a Spanish translation since the 5th ward has a large Latinx population. It would focus on current or new information in regards to the city. Along with taking into account constituent concerns in the ward and what steps of action are being taken to address them. Another way I would put this into practice is being reachable and available to my residents, addressing their questions whether it be a phone call, email, in-person monthly meetings or social media. 

As I mentioned before I am also in the process of developing a survey template that can be text/emailed to give residents the ability to speak on different topics of concern.

4. As more of our local discourse happens in social media, what is your view on how local elected officials should communicate with and respond to constituents? How will you engage with the breadth of the community, and not only those on social media?

I briefly addressed this in the previous question but local officials should be easily accessible to their residents and their concerns. Listening is only part of the job, there must be a follow up and deliverance within a reasonable time frame especially when matters are time sensitive. 

I have a few ideas in mind aside from a social media presence one of those ideas is a quarterly report in the form of a small booklet/pamphlet specifically provided to the residents of the 5th ward. This would be full with City updates, events/activities taking place in the ward, pressing issues or matters provided by the residents of the ward. I would host monthly in person ward meetings if Covid restrictions are lifted and invite different city department heads as well as guest speakers to bridge the dialogue with residents.

5. What barriers do you see for community members who wish to engage with Berwyn’s city government? How would you work to reduce or eliminate those barriers?

One barrier that I have noticed between the community and city government is language. While the city has begun to provide translations on social media posts and literature more can be done to strengthen the inclusivity of our Latinx residents when it comes to in person interaction. One approach would be to make sure every city department has someone who is bilingual. 

Another barrier I have noticed is community members rely on social media to address any city concerns or issues they may have. While social media is a strong tool to use for engagement I also take into account that not every post will be seen or addressed. One way to reduce this barrier is to make sure the city website is not only accessible but easy to maneuver and engage with. Not every question may be addressed but data could be gathered from media posts and used on the city website as most frequently asked questions.

6. What do you feel are the three biggest issues facing Berwyn, and how do you intend to address them? How will you prioritize among competing priorities?

1. Public Safety in terms of traffic concerns as well as police reform. This will not only ensure that Berwyn is a walkable and livable community but that residents feel comfortable and safe moving about the community. In order to address this issue residents need to be a part of the conversation when dealing with city head departments, I would propose monthly meetings that way this remains a priority. Along with keeping all parties involved informed on any changes or progress. 

2. Finances and City debt, we can’t eliminate services but we also can’t hurt our tax payers,I would look to alternate solutions for sources of revenue. This could be looking to expand business opportunities in Berwyn, filling empty storefronts. As well as explore grant opportunities to combat expenses other than salary within the city budget. This would be amongst my long term priorities as Alderman since I plan to join the Finance Committee and use my reconciling skills as best as I can. 

3. COVID-19 and the bridge of taking information from the city to the hands of our residents is one the biggest issues facing Berwyn. This pandemic not only affected our businesses and community but some residents found themselves without resources or knowledge. One way I would address this is by reaching out to our residents as often as possible and making sure I’m a vessel for information they may need. Some residents have a preference for literature about the city’s plans in regard to Covid testing or vaccination information and it’s our job to deliver this information.

7. How do you define racial equity? Have recent events and discussions in the larger community informed or changed your thinking?

I would define racial equity as all members of our community having equal accessibility, opportunities and resources provided to them based on needs, regardless of their physical traits. 

On a national level from reading articles to keeping up with the daily news it’s difficult to not hear or stay informed on this topic. I am aware that systemic racism exists in our society, my way of thinking hasn’t changed but that doesn’t mean I don’t continuously learn and stay informed on the events happening around me. My job moving forward and if I am elected is how I would help put policies in place at the local level to make sure we are catering to every member of the Berwyn community not just based on equality but taking their own needs and experiences into account when making decisions. The only way to go about this is to have open dialogue with as many members as possible.

8. How do you plan to solicit feedback from people who may be experiencing Berwyn in a different way than you? What barriers do you believe may exist in this process?

The way I would approach soliciting feedback from residents would first involve gathering information from the residents. This can be done through participation of an online survey targeting residents comfortable with social media and then written surveys for those not comfortable with online participation. I would then take this information and address concerns, issues or suggestions with other branches in the community (example the North Berwyn Park District). By maintaining an open dialogue they can be aware of resident feedback and brainstorming can take place to explore what programs or services can be implemented. 

Some barriers that I believe could exist in this process include the engagement success rate. This could be due to lack of internet, maneuvering a website or not every person in the ward is reached whether it be online or in person. 

To overcome this challenge I will not only establish monthly community meetings and community pop ups rigor the ward with taking information and resources for residents.

9. Name an influential Berwyn community member. How did this person’s influence change Berwyn? As an elected official, what do you imagine your influence will be on the community?

My influential Berwyn community member would have to be my father Ricardo. My father was hired by the City of Berwyn as a Collections Clerk in 2007 and has since then worked his way up and is now the Water Billing Dept. Supervisor. 

My father instilled in me the values of hardwork and service, he is always the first person to lend a hand in volunteer work and at community events. Whether it was the Berwyn Christmas dinners, Toy Drives, Earth Day Cleanups, block parties, etc, you name it, he is there to help without any hesitation and I thank him for all the times he took me along. Community engagement and involvement are pillars in what makes the Berwyn community great. He constantly reminds me of the importance in giving back, working for the individuals and families who work hard for you, which is why he ran to be president of Afscme Local 1041 and has continued to serve as president for the last 10 years. My father is not only a rock in our family but he is a rock in this community 

Due to those values of unionship I hope my influence as an alderman can humanize the hardworking residents that are our public employees because I grew up knowing unions are families and that everyone deserves respect in their workplace. 

I also hope I can influence other young women to be a part of the rise in women in government leadership roles, something that has been happening and now I want to see that here in Berwyn as well.

10. How do you plan to encourage the youth of Berwyn to interact and engage with Berwyn’s city government?

One of the ways I plan to encourage the youth is through collaboration with city events or projects. In October of 2020, myself along with 6th Ward running candidate Sandra Diaz organized a 5th and 6th Ward clean up day. We reached out to as many residents as possible and amongst the volunteers that day were Morton West Highschool students. During this time I was able to learn about their involvement with the Highschool as well as potential ideas they had in mind that would influence the city of Berwyn. 

By organizing events such as the clean up it not only helped beautify Cermak road but it provided a volunteer opportunity for many of our youth and it bridged a dialogue between them, myself and other residents. In order to encourage their involvement I would provide events similar to this where it will allow them to be a part of a team and it will establish a platform for their own ideas without the pressures of being ridiculed or pushed aside. We must not only make them a part of the conversation but have them lead discussions as well on topics that matter to them.

11. Do you feel that Berwyn should do more to support housing affordability? If so, what specific policies would you support?

I feel that housing affordability is crucial for the residents who have lived here a large portion of their life, specifically our senior residents. I feel that it's crucial to stay informed and make sure our residents are just as informed on the resources and programs they have available to them now, such as Housing Forward. The communication cannot fall short between the city, aldermen and the residents. One of the best ways to keep this up is through literature

12. What impact can a municipality such as Berwyn have on climate change, and how will you prioritize that work among other issues?

Environmental awareness is a topic I constantly work at to stay as informed as possible. The state of our climate is changing drastically everyday and it's up to us to play our part in making sure future generations have a place to call home. Berwyn and its residents play a vital role in making our city as green as possible. This could include adapting more water and energy efficient techniques such as rain gardens, solar panels on businesses and homes (which I have already begun to see) possible green spaces throughout the city, proper disposal of items through recycling awareness. 

These decisions affect our day to day lives, I would not prioritize it over other issues but rather approach this issue from a multifaceted standpoint.

13. What actions would you take to address the continuing problem of Berwyn’s municipal debt?

Debt will continue to be a problem but the focus is on how we manage this problem that won’t put a burden on our tax payers and won’t cut city services which would lead to layoffs. The actions I would take would involve negotiating ways to lower interest on the city’s current debt and working to establish new sources of revenue through economic growth. I would work to bring more diverse businesses to the City of Berwyn as well as seeking grant opportunities for further development of community space. 

14. One of the most important responsibilities of the City Council is to pass a budget. How would you approach the development of Berwyn’s budget? Do you believe there has been sufficient transparency in the budgeting process in recent years?

I would approach the city budget using three techniques. The first would be to join Berwyn’s Finance committee and attend their meetings to have a better grasp and understanding of the budgeting process. The second would be to dedicate time in meeting with all city department heads to analyze and collect data on their own drafted budgets. The third would be taking into account the needs of my residents and what is in their best interest when it comes to passing the budget such as very minimal cost increases. 

I believe the budgeting process is completely transparent, all meetings have been shared live with the public and budget documents are shared as well by the Finance Director.

15. Given the visible community efforts around the Black Lives Matter movement including the mural in the Berwyn Municipal Building parking lot, do you anticipate working for changes in policing policy or oversight moving forward? What specific changes would you support?

Absolutely, I am in support of reform and I think it’s crucial in making sure everyone is a part of the conversation. As a community we must work to strengthen and build on the relationship between our residents and our police department, with the inclusion of city/community leaders and residents themselves. I would support strong policing policies that hold officers accountable for any misconduct and have bad officers removed. I would also support any changes in training or policy development for police officers, ones that pertain to the current needs of the residents and eliminate any biases. There is still much research to be done to help shape policing but it can’t be done without the inclusion of the community. 

16. Many Berwyn residents have expressed confusion about the disparate roles of the City and the Township, particularly in the past year as the importance of the Health Department increased due to the pandemic. Do you believe action is necessary to increase public awareness of the various taxing bodies and their functions? What steps would you take?

I believe some action is necessary in increasing public awareness between the roles of the City and the Township, however it is also the responsibility of each entity to make sure the information they provide to the community is up to date. Especially with this past year with the pandemic there had to be far more senior out-reach from the Health Department. Not every resident has a social media presence so some literature delivered to senior homes would have made all the difference in bridging that communication gap. This is a step I would have taken along with resharing information as long as it is presented to city leaders as well. 

17. As an elected official, what lessons will you draw from the experience of the pandemic about the purpose and role of government?

If I am elected I will say one of the largest lessons I drew from the pandemic and role of government is the importance of communication with all residents. Not just the ones on social media but all neighbors. As well as the importance of being prepared with an equipped and knowledgeable individuals/team.

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[The above answers were supplied on 2/21/21.]