Thomas L Smith Sr.: 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: Round Lake BeachWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Round Lake Beach Village boardAge: 61Family: I am married to Marsha Smith and we have two children and two beautiful grandchildren.Occupation: I currently work for IBM as a Wintel Server Admintrator.Education: I graduated from Central High School in 1967.Civic involvement: I was past President of the Round Lake Beach Civic Center, Past Alternate for Joint Action Water Agency for Round Lake Beach. I am currently serving as Chairman of the Public Works Standing Committee for the Village of Round Lake Beach, IL and serving as an alternate on Cencom for the Village of Round Lake Beach, IL. I am a member of the Finance Standing Committee for the Village of Round Lake Beach, IL.Elected offices held: Round Lake Beach Village Trustee 1997 - 2007 and currently serving as Round Lake Beach Trustee - 2008 - Present.Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: I have not been arrested or convicted of any crime.Candidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 The number 1 campaign issue, would be for the Village to continue to operate within its financial budget.Key Issue 2 The Village needs to continue to bring in new businesses into the Village. The Village needs to also do what it can to try and keep our exisiting businesses.Key Issue 3 The Village needs to continue to put pressure on the gangs in our Village and continue to run them out of townQuestions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I have been a Trustee now for almost 12 years thru the good years and the bad years. I am not afraid to ask the difficult questions and also help make the difficult decisions to make sure the Village is run in a Professional way.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.I believe the local sales taxes are about just right. I believe that in the current economy that we cannot ask our residents for more tax dollars. The Village could always use more Tax Dollars but in today#146;s economy, our residents could not endure a tax increase.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.Many of the residents that I have spoken would like the village to continue investing in the upgrading of the village#146;s aged infrastructure. Whether it's sidewalks, storm sewer, water mains or the reconstruction/repaving the village#146;s streets. This type of reinvest will hopefully improve pedestrian and vehicular traffic, enhance property values and improve the overall quality of life of the village#146;s many residents.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?Unfortunately, the village has had to make many tough decisions during these tough economic times. Generally, budget cuts are made throughout all of the departments with the many priority being not eliminating services to the village#146;s residents. Each of the departments has been given the task of streamline operations and finding better, more creative ways of delivering high quality services to the village#146;s residents. We have been fortunate that we as a Board have always taken a conservative budget approach, which in these types of economic conditions has helped the village weather these tough times. Fiscal 2011/12 looks to be another tough year for the village and we are already in the process of formulating a budget that will adhere to the Mayor and Board#146;s conservative financial philosophy.What#146;s one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?I would like to see the Village possibly start a community garden area for our residents. This would help provide a healthy alternative food source for our residents during these economic hard times.