Michael J. Cannon: Candidate Profile

Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioKey IssuesQA Bio City: Rolling MeadowsWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Rolling Meadows Alderman, Ward 1Age: 59Family: Married, 3 childrenOccupation: Retired-Sales Sales ManagementEducation: Bachelor of Arts from St. Mary's University of Minnesota, 1973Civic involvement: Current President-Fremd High School Music AssociationManaged or coached 29 teams (Baseball, softball, soccer, basketball) in Palatine Park District over 13 yearsElected offices held: NoneHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 To help manage/reduce the Rolling Meadows City Budget so we can start planning on growth. Our city cannot continue to raise the city portion of real estate taxes 10-15% every year, like we have for the last 6 years.Key Issue 2 To develop a stategy to encourage investments in housing, industry, retail, and overall business in Rolling Meadows.Businesses need/want to be invited. We need to foster growth.Key Issue 3 To develop a vision for the future of Rolling Meadows, a 10 year plan.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I am willing and able to devote the time to make our City, Rolling Meadows, a better place.Given the delicate balance between the need for revenue and over-taxing local businesses, what is your opinion of your community's present level of local sales taxes? Is the tax just right, too low or too high? Explain.Unfortunately, because of prior city spending and pension obligations it is not possible to lower sales taxes now, even though that is something I would work to accomplish.We need to make our local business partners as competitive as possible.Talking with your friends and neighbors, what seems to be their biggest public safety concern? Explain the concern as you see it, and discuss how you think it should be addressed.There are missing sections of sidewalk/bike paths that make it difficult to walk or ride a bike in our ward. I have already submitted to the City Council a petition to 'fill-in' one of these areas, but RM lacks the funds or matching funds to get these built.In these tight economic times, municipal budgets have to be prioritized. Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?After a few years of budget cutbacks and major tax increases I am not aware of any areas where cutbacks are easliy attained, but I will keep on looking into that area. Rolling Meadows needs to run a lean budget.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?Rolling Meadows needs a pro-active approach to filling the former Sam's Club site and the former Dominick's site with active business(s). In the case of the Dominicks property, a retail component is necessary if Rolling Meadows will ever have a 'Downtown' or city center. We need active business to generate interest in our city and to help us grow our tax base.