Politics & Government

Know Your Grantwood Village Candidates: Williams and Forand

A look at two of the candidates running for Grantwood Village board of trustees.

Patch provided a list of questions for the five candidates seeking a position on the on the Board of trustees. However, only the two incumbents, Pat Williams and Cathy Forand, returned the questionnaires. The other candidates are Bill Hypes, Walter Rust and Will Larson. Here are the responses from Williams and Forand. The election is Apr. 3.

Name: Pat Schwan Williams

Age: 58

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Address: 7417 Raleigh Drive

Occupation: Business Owner and Consultant

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Education:  MA Webster University in Media Communications, BA Fontbonne University in Deaf and Elementary Education

Spouse: Jack Williams

Years Lived in Grantwood Village:  Two

Personal Background: My career began at St. Joseph Institute for the Deaf where I developed a Parent Infant Program, which continues to serve hundreds of families today. I received a Masters in Media Communications from Webster University and became Associate Director of the St. Louis Ronald McDonald House. I oversaw operations and the local McDonald’s Children Charities grant program. I then became executive director of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation. During my tenure, short and long term strategic planning was accomplished and finances grew significantly, which resulted in record numbers of St. Louis children being helped. Currently I am a non-profit consultant and help run our family business, Tropical Moose Shaved Ice, which employs a crew of 40 and serves over 2,000 people daily.

Reason for Running: I was appointed to fill a vacant Trustee position in August of 2011 and assumed the position of Village Clerk. As an incumbent, I believe it is in the best interest of the Village to allow the current Board of Trustees the opportunity to continue on the positive path we have created.  This Board works very well together with each Trustee bringing a different background and area of expertise to the group. Most importantly, we have an understanding of the commitment and stability it takes to best serve the residents of Grantwood.

Biggest Issue: I believe the biggest issue facing our Village is the one that is facing all communities in our country at this time; the current economic atmosphere.  The Board is ever mindful of the challenge and has been extremely effective in planning for the Village’s short and long term fiscal stability.   At this time, Grantwood Village has zero long-term debt and its financial reserves are at the highest level in more than ten years.   Our Board is very proud of this accomplishment and what it means for our residents.

Satisfaction with Current Board: I am very satisfied with the current Board of Trustees and how we operate.  Our team of two women and three men work extremely well together. We have diverse backgrounds and expertise that bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the duties of the Board and thus to the overall well-being of the Village.

Assuming I am elected, what do you want to accomplish during my term? In my role as Village Clerk I am the “keeper of the records” for the Village.  I plan to continue to organize and maintain all Village records in a transparent and safe manner.  Additionally as a small municipality with limited resources, I would like to draw from my extensive experience in grant research and writing to pursue opportunities for the Village. 

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Name: Cathy M. Forand

Age: 55

Address: 7401 Granbury Circle

Occupation: Housewife and Mother

Education: Attended Affton Schools and Fontbonne College

Family: Husband, Dr. Joseph Forand; one daughter, Katy

Years Lived in Grantwood Village:  28

Personal Background: Served as Treasurer since 1989; Chairwoman since 2010.  In addition to my family and community, I have been an active volunteer in many other organizations including Oak Hill School and Nerinx Hall, the St. Anthony's Medical Center Auxiliary and Our Lady of Providence Parish. Most recently, I am very active with the St. Anthony's Medical Center Charitable Foundation, the Lemay Child and Family Center and Old Newsboy's Day. I currently blog for Affton-Shrewsbury Patch.

Reason for Running: I am running to continue serving the residents of Grantwood, and to ensure we maintain the quality of services provided.

Biggest Issue: The misunderstanding a few residents have regarding the operations of Grantwood.  We are the most financially sound we have ever been.  We do not have any debt; our reserves are the highest I can recall; and our budgeting practices have proven themselves to be successful. We have never been more transparent; how many other cities post their checkbook activity online?  We do seek multiple bids on all projects. And we do have a long term streets program, which includes an improved spec based on St. Louis County specs with input from three professional engineers (all done at NO cost to the Village). In 2011, we completed the single largest road repair project and have a plan in place through the 2014 fiscal year. This is the first election, I can recall, where mistruths and negative tactics were used by opponents, and I’m very saddened politics as usual came to Grantwood.

Satisfaction with Current Board: I am very satisfied with the operations of the Village and the Board. The issues caused last year by former trustees have been addressed; our treasurer reports have not needed corrections for the previous 10 months, our records are updated and maintained electronically, and communication among trustees is outstanding. I believe each current trustee brings something unique to the Board. Two trustees have extensive professional experience in the concrete contracting business; three have non-profit or professional Board experience; and everyone wants to help each other better serve the residents.  We now have stability, teamwork and leadership.

Assuming I am elected, what do you want to accomplish during my term? To make Grantwood even better.  We have such a strong foundation from our finances to our practices and transparency; systemic change is not needed.  Rather, I think it is best to maintain the outlook that there is always room for improvement, however, change for change’s sake is never a good idea.


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