City Council Candidate Profile: Carolyn Cerf

Business development both in Highland Park’s central business district and other commercial areas is the core to City Council candidate philosophy to governing the city she has called home all her life. 

Cerf, who sees her role as a steward of Highland Park’s resources, is a product of Indian Trail grade School, Elm Place middle school and . She has an undergraduate degree from Hendrix College and works as a freelance paralegal, an occupation in which she hopes to be fully certified this month. 

“I want to be a steward of the precious assets Highland Park has and always has had,” Cerf said. “We have an educated community with active citizens.” 

Citing the business community in particular, Cerf sees its development throughout Highland Park’s nine commercial districts as a key to the city’s success both in the past and in the future. 

She notes the partnership efforts of the city, Highland Park Chamber of Commerce, business owners and property owners who forge the Downtown Business Alliance as one reason for the success of the central business district. She also sees their efforts leading local commerce out of the current economic downturn. 

“It should be someone’s job to go out and promote business to come here,” Cerf said. “We need new and better businesses. This is important in all of our business districts, not just the central business district.” 

She views available retail locations in downtown Highland Park as an opportunity to better the community. 

“The empty storefront space is a big motivation [to spur economic development],” Cerf said. “It’s not just the loss of sales tax revenue, but property owners get no benefit from the neighborhood. People who came for Borders [bookstore] are no longer coming for gas.” 

Cerf, one of five council candidates, thinks changes in the —an area of downtown Highland Park that bans ground floor uses that do not yield sales tax revenue—can be a positive factor. 

“If they have something to provide the community, we should be open to it,” Cerf said. “Will the use be a bonus?”

She considers businesses that bring commercial traffic into downtown a benefit even if they do not provide direct sales tax revenue. 

The Apple Tree Theatre, now closed, is one example offered by Cerf of a non-retail use that brought commerce to town. The  is another illustration, and one she will have to consider part of her stewardship, if elected. 

According to Cerf, the city now has to manage a movie theater or contract management so there is an expense. She wants the expense to go away, but sees advantages of the theater for the community.

“There needs to be a vetting process,” Cerf said. “We have to look not just at the sales tax potential, but does it provide a service the community wants and needs?” 

Zoning is another tool Cerf proposes to aid Highland Park’s business development. She says continual review is necessary to provide a fresh look during changing times.

“Zoning reviews are pending in many of our business districts,” said Cerf, who is quick to point out there are nine such areas in the city. The candidate said she wants to study “changes that will take place and stimulate new business.” 

While she views economic development as a key to progress, Cerf comprehends the need to do more with less in the current economic climate. She has made intergovernmental cooperation a key part of her platform. 

“Highland Park has made a lot of progress by achieving economies of scale with contracted services,” said Cerf, who cited snow removal as a possible example to be studied. 

Cerf also wants to keep Highland Park at the forefront of environmental ingenuity through government stimulation. Though she likes the city’s commitment to recycling and green building, the council hopeful says she wants more done. 

“We’re already at the head of the class in the area of recycling and green building ordinances,” Cerf said. “We don’t want to do anything that increases the cost of business--of living.” 

Some of Cerf’s suggestions include investigating recharging stations at the city’s railroad terminals for electric cars. The candidate says she will not rule out the possibility of a fuel tax to stimulate environmental growth.