Stephen Christensen served on the Lake Bluff Village Board of Trustees from 2011 until late last month. He also chaired the village finance committee.
Q. You grew up in Lake Bluff and then returned in 1995?
A. My dad was transferred when we were growing up. When my wife and I had an opportunity to move to the Midwest, we bought a home in Lake Bluff. It was a great place to raise kids.
Q. What got you interested in running for the Village Board?
A. The kids had gone off to college. I had time. I felt I should give back to the village.
Q. Had you ever run for public office before?
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A. No.
Q. Is there anything you wish you knew when you started?
A. I’m amazed at times how government can move so slowly and yet at other times can move pretty quick. I found the reason is the whole deliberative process of government decision-making involving the board and community and various stakeholders. It’s imperative you listen to all those stakeholders and that can take time and involve a lot of people.
Q. What are you most proud of accomplishing?
A. The AAA (financial) rating for the village. Being involved in bringing in Target. The thing I’m most proud of is working with other trustees in a very civil manner. We might not always agree on everything but we can consult in a civil manner.
Q. What challenges will your successor and the board face?
A. The Airbnb thing will be a hot topic. The issues with the state of Illinois and what that means in terms of money we’ve expected in the past compared to what we might get in the future.
Q. Why did you resign from the Village Board?
A. We’re moving out of Lake Bluff. Retirement is still a couple years away but this is one step toward it.
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