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How does your experience
qualify you?
My background in law, management and economics will give our residents a representative on the city council who understands the workings of city government and what needs to be done to work together and accomplish our goals.
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Q&A ON THE ISSUES
What is the biggest problem in Yorkville?
The budget and bickering on the city council. The budget is in the red. Local, state and federal governments have to learn that they too must live within their means. I like to call it "kitchen table" economics. My wife and I sit at the kitchen table and pay our bills. We can't spend more than we make.
Government needs to follow the same simple concept. Also, there has been a complete breakdown in communication on the city council. Open government means that all alderman are given all of the information needed to cast their votes.
Would you have voted for or against placing a binding bike trails referendum on the April 5 ballot? (Or if you’re an incumbent, did you vote to place a binding bike trails referendum on the April 5 ballot?) Why?
I would have voted against placing the binding referendum on the ballot. A referendum for the bike trail was just on the ballot and failed. Before the previous referendum the mayor and supporters of the bike trails said that we "will leave it up to the voters." The voters have spoken and said "no." How many times do we need to put the referendum on the ballot? Obviously, the supporters of the bike trail are willing to let the voters decide, only if the voters vote the way they want.
Looking at the water and sewer bond problem the City Council faced this winter in the 2011-2012 fiscal year, what do you think is the best solution?
At this point we have no choice but to find alternate revenue streams to pay for the bonds. Defaulting on our bonds is not an option. Currently, the city council has voted to place the burden on the property taxes. Although, this is a bitter pill to swallow we must honor our past obligations. However, before I am willing to place the burden on the taxpayer I want to make sure that our city budget have been cut as much as possible. I do not believe this has been done. I will work with our new mayor and city council to find a solution that places the least amount of burden on our residents.
Looking at the water and sewer bond problem for fiscal year 2012-2013 and beyond, what do you think is the best solution? Do you favor the proposed sales-tax increase?
We first need to trim our city budget as much as possible, while still preserving public safety and public works. Although the increased sales tax sounds like a good option since it would pass some of the burden on to non-residents, I have many reservations about an increased sale-tax. First, we need to take care of our local businesses. I believe this will negatively affect our local businesses. Many of these businesses have been loyal to Yorkville for years if not decades. We need to be loyal to them. Secondly, once the bonds are paid off, I doubt that our government would reduce the sales tax to its original level. When was the last time your government lowered your tax rate?
How would you characterize the working relationships among current City Council members? How do you think you work/would work within that environment?
The current city council is broken. This stems from a lack of leadership. It is unfortunate since it does not serve anyone's best interest. If elected, I am willing to work with whomever the residents elect. I understand that everyone on that council and the mayor were elected by the people and deserve their due respect. This is a concept that is lost with many on our current council.
The two most important issues that need to be addressed by the city council in the next four years.
The budget and our roads. The budget is in the red. Local, state and federal governments have to learn that they too must live within their means. I like to call it "kitchen table" economics. My wife and I sit at the kitchen table and pay our bills. We can't spend more than we make. Government needs to follow the same simple concept. As for the roads we need to take a look at all of our roads and prioritize the roads that are in need of repair. At this time we will need to work with our Representative and Senator in Springfield to obtain funding. With our current budget crisis the city in not in a position to afford many repairs.
How do we fund future street repair projects?
The problem is that our Federal, State and Local governments are all broke. When we receive "free" grant money, this "free" money comes from a state that needed to raise our income tax by 67% and take out an additional $8.5 Billion in bonds to pay its current bills. If federal funds are obtained they come from a federal government that has a $14 Trillion dollar debt and operates at a unsustainable $2 Trillion per year deficit. So the outlook does not look very good right now. Regardless, our roads will have to be repaired. The first step is to get our financial house in order in the city budget. I predict that we will have to put the road repairs into a holding pattern and patch and maintain the roads we have. Once we begin to turn out of the current economic down turn we can hopefully consider replacing some of the more damaged roadways.
How would you categorize the ongoing strife between members of the city council?
I chose to run for city council because our current city council is broken. This breakdown stems from a lack of leadership. It is no surprise to anyone that I am supporting Alderman Golinski for mayor. If there is a breakdown in leadership the council will adopt the same mentality. It is unfortunate since it does not serve anyone's best interest. If elected, I am willing to work with whomever the residents elect. I understand that everyone on that council and the mayor were elected by the people and deserve their due respect. This is a concept that is lost with many on our current council. If elected I will concentrate on my job and my constituent's concerns. I will vote in the residents best interest and not at the direction of the mayor, regardless who is in office.
Do you prefer a sales tax or a property tax to payoff the sewer debt bonds?
This is like asking if I prefer the electric chair or the firing squad, either way you have the same result. I acknowledge that due to poor decisions in the past we now have an obligation to pay these sewer bonds. I agree that we cannot simply default on the bonds. Before I pass off the burden onto the taxpayer I want to make sure that the city has cut it's budget as much as possible. At this point we have no choice but to find alternate revenue streams to pay for the bonds. Currently, the city council has voted to place the burden on the property taxes. Although, this is a bitter pill to swallow we must honor our past obligations. I am not satisfied that our current administration is doing everything possible to bring the budget and spending under control. Although in the last few months there has been a lot of talk about reducing the budget and cutting costs, I do not find these efforts to be sincere. I want to control spending and be a watchful steward of our tax dollars for my entire four-year term, not just the three months leading up to my re-election.
There are advantages and disadvantages to either the property tax or sales tax options. I am currently in the process of speaking with residents in my ward about this very issue. I acknowledge that one of these options will most likely have to take place. If elected, I will have a ward meeting with my residents to listen to their opinion before making my final decision.