Crystal Lake City Council
I had my own carpenter contractor business for over 40 years. Creating and running my business has given me a diverse range of skills. My business experiences have given me strong communication, negotiation, analytical and fiscal abilities, making me a perfect fit for City Council. Good government requires mutual respect among council, staff and citizens. I believe my record as current City Council member has proven my work ethic, integrity and commitment to our community.
When I am re-elected my top three priorities will be:
Number 1: The continued pursuit of removing unnecessary rail lines along Main st., in order for more economic growth in the downtown area.
Number 2: Supporting the further growth and development of Three Oaks Recreation Center, bringing more amenities to our citizens.
Number 3: Help find permanent solutions to the housing needs of our growing population of seniors.
I would support freezing the city’s property tax levy until housing prices rebound. Government cannot continue spending as it has in the past. The public who help invest in our community have seen a decline in their incomes and it is important that city government be more mindful of its citizen’s needs. Freezing the city’s property tax levy would force our city government to become more fiscally responsible, showing our citizen’s we are accountable for our actions.
The one decision made by the city council I most disagreed with would be the approval of a large 3 story housing complex off of Congress Parkway. I believe this building would have been better situated in a residential area. While I do not disagree with the concept of the building, the building itself is located in a commercially zoned area, therefore taking away prime commercial real-estate as the city grows.
We have had several significant accomplishments this year, including the electric rate reduction, retention of major car dealers, and the completion of major road improvements. However, I feel the biggest accomplishment over the past year that city council has made would be the infill of over 1 million square feet of retail and commercial space. This new revenue is significant to our community’s economic growth.
As a lifelong resident of Crystal Lake, I have proven my dedication, commitment and passion for our community. My integrity as a current council member has gained me the mutual respect of my peers as well as my fellow citizens. While serving within the city council my record has proven that I am an effective, analytical and fiscally responsible leader willing to get the job done.
My experience as a leader in various capacities such as with the Boy Scouts of America along with working with councils and committees from numerous development based organizations, this allows me to be an open minded and thoughtful leader. I am able to work collectively to make actionable decisions that are fair, honest and in the best interest of the parties involved. Additionally, I have been a small business owner locally since 1990 employing many full time and part time employees. I am very aware of what it takes to run a profitable venture and not on the backs of my customers. I have built long lasting relationships in partnership with my customers and my employees by being honest, fair and reasonable.
My top priorities if elected would be focused on listening to various perspectives that the citizens have about concerns or issues. I want to be sure that all citizens’ voices are heard and evaluated, especially if they take the initiative to express those concerns.
Too often it seems that the focus is only on the ability to pacify council members without a willingness to fairly examine legitimate points of view brought up by concerned citizens (which may actually represent that majority). I also intend to make a priority to be pragmatic in our spending and ask fundamental questions about whether it is really a needed expenditure we need to make or should it be money we don’t spend with an end goal of reduction of taxes for all citizens. Finally, looking at some of our capital improvements made and being proposed to our growing infrastructure should be determined. Looking at the maintenance spent on these improvements which will fundamentally help save money down the road and help curtail accelerated replacement cycles.
I don’t believe freezing the property tax levy makes sense because we’re simply holding it to what may still be an overly inflated view. We ought to be looking at right sizing the tax levy based upon real valuation of the properties and we may have to adjust our spending to do more with less that would be in accordance with the real valuation of the properties.
The one decision by the city council that I most disagree with are the closed door meetings without transparency to the residents to the debate that is occurring which has implications to the residents. We should be striving for a transparent government even if there are hotly contested issues being dealt with.
The biggest accomplishment would have to be the opening of Three Oaks Recreation Center to the public in regards to outdoor activities. The community is always looking for and needing outdoor activities to keep their selves entertained and this is a perfect opportunity for everyone to enjoy. The Three Oaks Recreation Center has created a lot of incredible opportunities to people within the community. It is an atmosphere we can definitely appreciate and that will promote healthy lifestyles. Three Oaks also helps to implement a safe haven for young children, teens and families. The atmosphere and environment that the recreation park provides is an additional tool and resource for the learning of children that extends far beyond the walls of their normal school classroom. The affordable, low cost fees that come along with affiliated programs offered with in the park are a great resource for revenue for the city - I think that we can continue to expand the programs that are offered to all who choose to take advantage of this great place.
Voters should consider me as a qualified representative to appear as a voice for them within the City of Crystal Lake by electing me. I aim to help ensure that their tax dollars are used for useful services and investments within the community. I want them to know that investments we make will benefit all the citizens of Crystal Lake in a way that promotes true growth that is of value to all of us and sensible. As a homeowner I am well invested in the ways in which spending is allocated and want to make sure that the decisions that are made are in the best interest of all community members. I feel obligated to represent the ideas and values of those in our community because the outcome of my decision making doesn’t just affect them, it will ultimately affect myself, my wife and my young children. Crystal Lake is a community I love, and a community that is worth investing in.
I am an Eagle Scout. I am a Precinct Committeeman and City Councilman. I am an active member and hold leadership positions with the Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce, and I am employed locally as the Director of Research at Exemplar Financial Network. These are a few of my experiences that make me a qualified candidate for City Council. From a young age I learned the importance of volunteerism and service. I am active and committed to the local business community and economy. As Precinct Committeeman, I am actively engaged in the local political process, and I have experience running for political office. All of these experiences and leadership qualities, plus being appointed to fill the remainder of Carolyn Schofield’s term on City Council make me a qualified candidate.
My top priorities are to be an accessible leader who listens, to be fiscally conservative, and to continue the great work of this city.
I will listen to the concerns of the community, and be accessible by phone, email, and social media. I want people to know they can approach me with any ideas or concerns. I will be an open communicator with my constituents, fellow council members, and city management. Fiscal responsibility is very important to my candidacy. My voice will be one supporting balanced budgets, and responsible use of funding. Another top priority is to continue the good work of the city, and ensure that Crystal Lake remains a great place to live, work, play, raise a family and retire. This means, not just maintaining, but strategically planning for the future, through mitigating risks or challenges facing our city. I will help set a vision for Crystal Lake that will stand the test of time. Next year, Crystal Lake turns 100. I know that decisions we make today leave lasting impressions on the future of this community.
A complex question deserves a great deal of thought and consideration. As a young property owner I understand the need to hold the line. I would support freezing the city’s property tax levy until housing prices rebound only if it is projected that the city will still be able to meet the needs of this community without raising property taxes. This could prove difficult, since there is no guarantee when the housing prices will rebound, nor can we anticipate what level housing prices will bounce back to. I am not for raising taxes, but I am for providing the residents of this city the level of service that is appropriate to keep Crystal Lake the great place it is today and will be for future generations.
The road construction was the biggest pain point for residents last year. I think the coordination of projects and road closures were a terrible oversight. The City Council was not directly responsible for planning these projects, but could have done a better job of ensuring that residents and businesses incurred minimal impact. The damage was already done, and I acknowledge the corrective measures implemented since these inconveniences. I recognize healing is necessary for our residents, and in time through new actions the city can prove that they can do a better job coordinating necessary road construction projects.
Our balanced budget. The City Council has much to be proud of this past year, but the biggest accomplishment in my mind is keeping our city financially healthy. This is not easy, maintaining the high standards of services our city provides, especially during our uncertain economic environment. Despite these factors, Crystal Lake is one of the healthiest local cities. With the great work of our city staff and the leadership of the City Council we have a balanced budget, and an attractive place to move a family or a business.
I don’t have an agenda; I have an open mind and a desire to serve for the common good of this city. I am going to make myself accessible and make sure all issues and concerns are given my time and a fair decision. My family farmed and helped settle this land, they held elected office, they were local business owners, and they raised our family here. Their example is an inspiration to me, and these roots are the foundation of my candidacy. I have established relationships in the business community, and strong connections with county and state elected officials. I will be an open communicator, be an advocate, and I will use these networks to strengthen our local government.
I am young leader who plans to raise my family here, and I want this city to be great for the rest of my lifetime and for generations to come. I believe citizens should be appreciated as if they are customers of the city. I want Crystal Lake to continue to attract families and businesses that will contribute to the rich tapestry that we call home, Crystal Lake!
For over two decades I have served in a decision making capacity on various non-profit boards. Currently serving the Salvation Army of McHenry County, Crystal Lake Lions, Horizons For The Blind, and McHenry County Police Charities. I have much experience negotiating within a board environment. I am very connected to the citizens of Crystal Lake. I also have good working relationships with municipal neighbors inside and outside the limits of the City of Crystal Lake. Finally, I have served the citizens of Crystal Lake in the capacity of City Councilman for many years. The record shows that I vote my conscience. My presence on the City Council has contributed a great deal to the positive achievements benefiting the people of Crystal Lake
I will continue to work to hold the line on tax increases, support econmomic development efforts, and ensure the city’s natural resorces are protected.
For three of the last four years, I voted “no” to increases in the City’s tax levy. The other year I voted yes to the DECREASE in the levy in 2010. That said, a tax levy increase makes sense when it increases to MATCH the real increases in the EAV’s pool of assets (new homes, new commercial buildings, new retail outlets, and new annexations). We have the responsibility to our taxpayers that we capture the new revenue generated from real EAV growth and match it to what the new growth will cost us in increased services.
Well, the timing of last year’s road projects was challenging.
The City Council has accomplished much in comparably slow years of economic growth. Incentives, proposed by the Economic Development Committee and approved by the council, have helped new and existing businesses locate or remain in Crystal Lake. These incentives immediately encouraged business to invest in spaces that would otherwise remain vacant. Incentives have also attracted and retained the types of companies that provide area jobs. These incentive investments will be returned again and again by the overall success of the recipients.
I have demonstrated time and again that I am an honest and vigilant representative of the citizens of Crystal Lake. I research and understand the issues that come before the city and I proceed to solutions in a transparent manner. I have lived in Crystal Lake all my life and I am very passionate about the future of my home town.
From my 34-year career at Morton, I bring a corporate, business experience. As an examiner for the Illinois Performance Excellence foundation (Baldrige criteria assessor), I know what attributes an organization needs to be successful. As President of the Wedgewood Association Board (homeowners) (2004-2008), I was dealt with property, wetland and homeowner management issues, including keeping Association dues constant during my term. As President of Crystal Lake Country Club (2008-2011), we controlled finances during tough times, cutting expenses and holding dues and fees firm while increasing overall membership by 7%. As a library trustee for the past year, I gained experience with public body management, including budgeting and the tax levy process.
My top priorities are keeping the City an attractive place for business and for people to live in, and serving as a steward of our tax money. For the former, I would support 3 initiatives (promoting and encouraging recreational activities, managing to the 30-yr comprehensive plan and proactively soliciting retail businesses). On stewardship, I support the efforts that the Council has made over the last couple of years to keep budgets under control. I would particularly support continuing to control personnel levels, to control project expenditures to stay within budgets, and to fund the general fund without any tax levy money.
I do not support freezing CL’s property tax levy. The City has budgeted conservatively for the last couple of years, at least, and controlled expenses but faces much uncertainty from State funding and pension directions. The City has the lowest property tax of any of the other local municipalities (based on 2010). The 2012/2013 budget reflects $1 million less overall revenue (including property tax) but $4 million less expense versus current year estimated actual. Personnel vacancies remain unfilled and general operating funds are forecast to be less than the previous year’s actual. State funds and pension costs remain big unknowns. We need to make sure that we can provide the services and the level of attention that our citizens expect. We need to keep funding options open and continue controlling expenses.
I disagree with the decision to waive fees for Three Oaks Recreation Area for the American Heart Association (June 21, 2011). The Council should not have to decide which charities to support or not to support. Good stewardship of our tax dollars should dictate no waiver from the established policy on these fees.
The biggest accomplishment was completing major road improvements in 2012. These included Crystal Lake Avenue, Pingree Road at Congress Parkway, and Route 176 and Briarwood. These will keep traffic flowing more freely in the future.
I bring a different perspective to the Council. My long-term corporate professional background is unique to the council. I understand department and personnel management. I understand managing people and working with people to achieve consensus. I’ve had success with achieving cost reductions and obtaining favorable budget results. I think analytically and try to look at all aspects of a situation before making decisions.
