Robert G. Banger Jr.: 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 5Age: 40Family: Wife of 17 years, Laura; daughter, Bailey, 15, sophomore at RMHS; son, Jackson, 14, 8th grader at Carl Sandburg JHOccupation: I am a warehouse employee at an industrial supply company based in Elmhurst.Education: Bachelor of Science in Commerce, DePaul University, 1999MBA, Kellstadt Graduate School of Business, 2002Civic involvement: Rolling Meadows Youth Baseball, coach, 2004-2009Awana (children's club) leader, First Baptist Church of Arlington Heights, 2004-present4H leader, Tails-N-Nails club of Rolling Meadows, 2005-2006Elected offices held: Candidate did not respond.Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: No.Candidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Maintenance: keeping the city finances sound while continuing to deliver the type of services residents expect.Key Issue 2 Repair: trying to develop areas of the city that have suffered from neglect or underutilization.Key Issue 3 Progress: exploring opportunities to improve areas of the city, such as parks and rec properties and programs, and bringing new businesses to the city.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I am a mature, hardworking individual who recognizes where I can have the biggest impact, which is serving the local community. I've demonstrated this and gained experience and appreciation for public servants through my various roles in church, youth baseball, and other areas over the past several years. I have enjoyed my 13 years in Rolling Meadows and look forward to serving my community further in the alderman role, should I be elected.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.Our city leaders have traditionally been wonderful stewards of our resources, and our finances reflect that, despite the recent downturn (in other words, there are a lot of cities that are far worse off than we are). There are certainly issues we will be facing in both the short and long term that will require some careful analysis and strong decision-making, but currently as a taxpayer in the city I feel I'm getting my money's worth.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.Our public safety in the community doesn't often make its way into conversation. In my opinion, this is because our police and fire protection services are diligently doing their jobs.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?This is a tough, some would say impossible, question to answer accurately without taking a hard look at the monies coming in and going out, as well as seeking input from individuals who use services as well as the folks in charge of administering programs and facilities.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?It may be on somebody's list somewhere, but I'd really like to have a city centre like some of the nearby towns that has exercise facilities, public gyms, perhaps an indoor pool- I can picture it in the old Dominick's property.