Politics & Government

Barbara Struthers: Deerfield Village Board Candidate

There are five candidates running for three trustee seats on the Deerfield Village Board. Incumbent Barbara Struthers is seeking re-election with the Deerfield Caucus Party.

Name: Barbara Struthers

Campaign Website:
http://barb4deerfield.com and deerfieldcaucusparty2013.com

How long have you lived in Deerfield: 30 years

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Are you an incumbent? Yes

How long have you served in your office: 8 years

What political accomplishments are you most proud of?

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Excellent financial management, as one of only 60 communities in the U.S. with a AAA bond rating. 

Planning and finishing our new wastewater treatment plant on time, within 1% of budget, getting interest rates of about 2% on the bonds to finance it thanks to our AAA bond rating, and using state grant money to construct and LEED certify the plant administration building. 

Getting parking lots of Deerbrook and  Lake Cook Plaza (now Deer Park plaza connected by roads on both north and south entrances.

We have maximized use of grants to pay for needed infrastructure improvements:  resurfacing Wilmot Road, constructing pedestrian underpass, and several bridges

Deerfield is business friendly, and we are home to a number of corporate headquarters. Since I was first elected, Takeda, Beam, and Mondelez are among those that have located here, and Walgreen’s headquarters has expanded. 

We’ve honored our downtown businesses that have been here more than 20 years.

Deerfield was the first city in Illinois to become smoke-free, and one of the first to ban hand-held cell phone use while driving.

Sustainability: Increasing sustainability in Deerfield includes use of LED traffic signals and street lights, encouraging residential recycling, providing for electronics recycling, and requiring recycling of construction waste

We’ve passed an ordinance that allows us to control or even demolish vacant buildings if that’s needed for residential area safety. We’ve passed an ordinance allowing windmills for electricity; I’d like to see some additional incentives for green construction, both residential and commercial. 

What professional accomplishments are you most proud of?

Receiving the Midwest Regional Society of Toxicology’s DuBois award for lifetime achievements in toxicology

What are the three most important issues facing the Deerfield Village Board?

  1. Working with shopping center owners to bring new businesses to Deerfield without using huge tax incentives.
  2. Keeping Deerfield as the safe, friendly community to live in that it has always been.
  3. Working with Deerfield residents and working together with other elected boards so that we can best serve the community. 

How do you distinguish yourself from your opponents?

I bring both the perspective of a long-time resident and a scientist’s logic in examining facts in all situations that come to the board. When I see something that’s needed in the community, I bring that to the attention of staff and when necessary to the board.

What is your professional background?

Board certified toxicologist

What is your educational background?

BS, Biology/education, Washington State University; MS biochemistry, and PhD, Food Science, Oregon State University.

What other information would you like to share?

I am also a trustee of the South Lake Mosquito Abatement board, sing in the North Shore Choral Society and Trinity UCC choir. I volunteered for 15 years for Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic and served on their board. I’m a past president of Deerfield Rotary Club and deputy voter registrar for the Deerfield/Bannockburn League of Women Voters.


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