Interview with a candidate: Paul Hinterlong

Paul Hinterlong is running for re-election to Naperville’s city council. He says that, because of term limits, if he is re-elected, it will be for his last term.

Aside from his tenure on the city council itself, Hinterlong was also a part of the Planning and Zoning Commission and worked with various committees. He is “a plumber by trade,” and has been a part of the construction and renovation of multiple Naperville buildings such as the 95th Street Library.

Hinterlong explained that he became interested in local government when he was in high school during the construction of the Naperville Riverwalk. He said he admired the way “all the contractors pitched in,” and “everyone came together,” to get construction started. He says he wants to “give back to [his] community.”

He believes that development is one issue facing Naperville. He says Naperville is almost at “build-out,” or the limits of its space, so the council has to be purposeful about what they put in and its effects on both the city itself and surrounding communities. He also believes that transportation is an important issue. He hopes to keep streets clear and encourage the use of public transportation when possible. He mentioned that online shopping had changed the economic structure of Naperville, causing the city to lose an estimated “$3.3 million” that it would normally get from sales taxed. Hinterlong says that the city will have to readjust the budget and find new ways to grow the economy.

Hinterlong believes the most important part of being a city council member is “listening to the community.” He says he has no aspirations of going higher in government because “this is where [he] live[s]; this is what [he] love[s].”

Hinterlong says voters can reach him through his city council email, [email protected], through his campaign website, http://votehinterlong.com/, or through his cell phone, which is 630-470-5639.