Election 2013: Ed Reid

Name: Ed Reid

Position sought: Clarendon Hills Village Board  

Years in Clarendon Hills: 14

Family: Wife Linda; sons Connor, 12, and Matt, 11; daughter Abigail, 9.

Education: Bachelor's degree in economics from University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business 

Occupation: Owner, financial futures and options firm (1999-2012); Owner, Celtic Commercial Painting, LLC; Owner, Wellington Investment Properties.

Previous elected offices: Clarendon Hills Village Trustee (2009-present) 

Applicable experience qualifying you for the position: I have volunteered in a wide variety of services in this town and throughout my life:

• CH Trustee
• CH Caucus—Member, Treasurer, Vice President
• CH Economic Development Committee
• CH Little League—Coach, Commissioner, Board Member.
• Notre Dame Church—Co-founding member of Notre Dame Men’s Club, Religious Education Teacher
• Hinsdale Falcons Football, Western Springs Football, Notre Dame Basketball—Coach, Board Member (Western Springs)
• Brother Rice High School—Board of Directors.
• Business owner, entrepreneur for 14 years

What is the primary reason you are running for this office?

I wish to continue representing a voice on the village board, over the last four years I have been the only board member with grade school age children.  I also wish to bring the perspective of a business owner to discussions before the board. 

Serving on the village board has been a natural extension of my service to the community in areas I can provide a unique and significant contribution.  It is not enough to complain and criticize, I feel one should serve, put in hours, offer ideas and risk their personal time, energy and name to help keep Clarendon Hills a great place to live.

What will be your single most important priority if you get elected?

The single most important priority for me is to maintain the fiscal solvency of the village. The board should place the financial situation of the village as our prime directive. Given financial stability as a base, the board can then make decisions regarding ancillary issues, being sensitive to how it affects the cultural and aesthetic feel of the community as well as the finances of Clarendon Hills. This balancing act is the challenge the board continually faces, a challenge requiring patience and circumspection.

What sets you apart from the other candidates?

I differentiate from other candidates via my experience as a trustee, my extensive service to this community and other organizations, and my business experience. I have created two businesses, in entirely different fields, from the ground up. I have seen this town from many different viewpoints, parent, coach, church volunteer, caucus officer, elected official and active social member. Whether it be in a coffee shop, at church, or on a ball field, I am readily available to listen to residents of Clarendon Hills.

What is your favorite thing about Clarendon Hills?

Clarendon Hills provides many opportunities from which to choose a favorite. I would highlight the intangible feeling that a great many of us share as a common goal. That goal is our attempt to create the optimal place to raise a family in a modern America.  Clarendon Hills is no utopia, yet if we keep a long-term view, and a common sense of civility, we will all enjoy our time living in Clarendon Hills. Hopefully, we may leave Clarendon Hills as picturesque and sound as we found her.

What is your least favorite thing about Clarendon Hills?

This is a difficult question because my answer is a also part of what I like about Clarendon Hills. I enjoy the quaint nature of Clarendon Hills, and the small town atmosphere. However, and I think many can identify, the same smallness sometimes does not allow for the reprieve you can find in anonymity. Sometimes we all just want a break, space to find refuge from the pressures of life.

Do you support continued exploration of a Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills police department merger? Why or why not?

I do not support the Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills police merger. I feel the town would be giving up much in return from some, and at this point vague, financial benefits. While the final numbers are not available, my personal assessment shows a per-household savings of approximately $118. Personally, for $118, I would prefer to maintain the autonomy of our police department. There are other avenues worthy of pursuit for cost control before merging the police department of one community with that of another. I have many other philosophical reasons against the merger and would be willing to discuss with any resident my thoughts, and listen to their concerns.

What are your thoughts on the village updating its downtown master plan and the process by which it’s being done?

I was a proponent for reviewing the master plan given economic realities have changed significantly over the last seven years. I am in favor of the more inclusive and representative board that is being assembled. We have gathered a great deal of data over the last decade and are assembling a talented group of people who will provide our village with a positive, focused outlook for the downtown of Clarendon Hills.

Related pages:

• Election 2013: Clarendon Hills Village Board
• Don Knoll
• Eric Stach