Dean J. Kilburg: 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: GenevaWebsite: http://NoneOffice sought: Geneva AldermanAge: 61Family: Wife - Linda (married 40 years) Children - Aaron Kilburg, Rachel Kilburg-Lawrence, Nathan Kilburg, Sarah Kilburg-Braley (all married and living in Fox Valley) Grandchildren - SixOccupation: Sales Manager - Ridley Inc. (Multi-National Agricultural Company (I have worked in agri sales and marketing for 34 years.)Education: Bachelor of Arts, Loras College, 1971Civic involvement: Current Board of Director - Geneva Community Chest Current Citizens Advisory Board - Fermi LabsPast Kane County Citizens Advisory Board - New Kane County Jail Construction (Appointed by KC Board Chairman)Past Committee Member - City of Geneva Strategic Planning Design TeamCurrent Weekly Reading Volunteer - Harrison Street SchoolPast Board of Director - Geneva Academic FoundationPast President - Geneva All Sports Boosters Past State President - Iowa Jaycees (350 chapters/17,500 members) (1977-1978)Past National Vice President - United States Jacyees (1978-1979)Current Member - Fox River Trail RunnersCurrent Member - Geneva History CenterElected offices held: Geneva 304 School Board - 1995-2007 Elected in 1995 and re-elected in 1999 and 2003. All three races were contested. Opted not to run for re-election in 2007.Served as school Board President from 2001-2007.Planning and Zoning Commissioner - Bellevue, Iowa from 1978-1984.Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: Yes, Possession of beer as a minor in Dubuque County - Iowa 1969.Candidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 In this difficult economy, we need to maintain a balanced budget. This should be done without an increase in taxation.Key Issue 2 We need to focus on maintaining basic services while focusing on elements of our intra-structure that requires replacement due to age and serious deterioration.Key Issue 3 Attract businesses that can offer higher paying employment opportunities for our residents would be my third goal. We all know that Illinois has inherent challenges attracting new business. However, some businesses will still need to come to Illinois and we need to aggressively compete. The time to identify potential candidates and and building relationships is the present.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?Serving on the City Council is important because you have a responsibility to all our residents. The office requires a dedication to service, a commitment to good communication and hard work. My involvement in the community has helped me gain an understanding of the various needs and complex issues impacting Geneva's future. Whether it is our city, school or parks, all public bodies in Geneva face the same challenges relating to the growth of the community and the funding to support the needed infrastructure for that growth. Community service has been a rewarding life experience for me. I have the desire, passion and needed optimism to effectively represent the 3rd Ward as our community works to address the challenges ahead.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.Geneva voted and approved a sales tax rate increase in 2007 that became effective in early 2008. The increase was to provide additional funds for public infrastructure, property tax relief or both. The 1/2% rate increase from 6.5% to 7.0% moved Geneva to the same rate as Batavia and still under St. Charles and most neighboring communities. Even though Geneva had a sizable sales tax shortfall in revenue over the last two years due to the economy, holding the rate at current levels would be my choice. Since there are already shortfalls in the budget for infrastructure, the public will need to understand that some city streets and certain capital improvement projects may require additional time to complete. 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.From parents and city officials that I know and trust, my greatest public safety concern is the growing availability and use of controlled substances in our community. After a decade of service on the school board, I know firsthand how damaging marijuana, narcotics and prescription drugs are and the influence they have on our families and the personal development of our youth. The city needs to continue to partner with our schools and parents in the areas of education, prevention and intervention. As a community, we also need to treat alcohol and marijuana arrests (when young people are involve) as something more than an ordinance violation such as a speeding ticket. If I had the power to remove just one public safety concern from our community, it would be the availability and illegal use of controlled substances.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?The city has done a credible job of reducing the city's budget by nearly 20% over the last few years. Difficult decisions have been already been made, unfortunately even more difficult decisions will likely be required. The future funding of pension plans for our public employees is a significant expense and one that has few simple answers. Finding ways to reduce our insurance rates and exploring expenditures tied to Workman Comp claims are areas that we can influence and need to focus on. Over the next few years, we could easily reach the point where possible layoffs might need to occur and aspects of city service reduced or eliminated. Truthfully, there are likely few areas that will find additional funding looking at the financial challenges that the city is faced with. Rather than increased funding we will need to reassess city goals and target our limited resources more effectively. Basic services, key infra-structure replacement and economic development are the areas I would prioritize. This will require looking at the limited resources available and how we can better apply them.What#146;s one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?The Emerald Ash Borer is marching across Geneva. We are now removing only dead trees in our parkways and our city streets are losing the natural canopy that is a source of shade and beauty. Several communities in Wisconsin, Minnesota and even South Dakota are already planning ahead by putting in place five year plans to harvest their healthy ash trees and start replacing them with a variety of species before the insect arrives. Geneva should consider a like plan and solicit the cooperation of home owners to share with the city in the replacement cost of parkway trees. Our city's logo features our trees and the beauty they contribute to our nighborhoods. We need a proactive and creative approach to the challenge.