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Patrick Kehoe: Candidate Profile

Milton Township Board (4-year Terms) (R)

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: WheatonWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Milton Township Board (4-year Terms)Age: 65Family: Married to Diane for 33 years, we have four adult age children, and two wonderful grandchildren so far.Occupation: Retired United Airlines cargo sales executive. Co-founder and owner of airline cargo related company incorporated in 2003.Education: Bachelor of Arts degree in Finance from the University of Illinois. 1969Civic involvement: Milton Township Republican Central CommitteeElected offices held: Candidate did not respond.Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Add Private sector best business practices to the public sector.Key Issue 2 Provide each Milton Township department with the resources needed to accomplish their mission while staying within budget.Key Issue 3 Insure those in need of temporary assistance have a government agency that is responsive to their needs and responsible to the citizens of Milton Township.Questions Answers Name the three most important goals or objectives this board should tackle in the coming term. Prioritize them, and briefly discuss why you believe each to be critical, and how the board should go about addressing them.#NAME?In the 21st Century, with municipalities gobbling up vacant land, why are townships needed? Should they be serving a new role? If so, what?Townships fill a vital role as the lowest level of government that is closest to the people they serve. Townships should have a better understanding of the issues and solutions with the least amount of red tape and bureaucracy. They have the lowest cost per mile to maintain roads, provide general assistance nearer to the citizens who need help, maintain cemeteries for the indigent, and allow property assessment at a neighborhood level that is more accurate and fair.What should be the primary responsibility of township government?To meet state statues for providing commercial and residential property assessment, highway maintenance in unincorporated areas, and general assistance for those citizens in need on a local level at the most efficient and cost effective basis.In these hard economic times, can you identify some township expenses/programs that could be trimmed or eliminated to reduce the tax burden?Every organization, both public and private can and should continuously look for ways to reduce spending and Milton Township is no exception. The Township has held spending to budgeted levels, but the cost of township government as a percent of the total tax bill is minimal in dollars and in comparison to their importance and purpose of what they accomplish.What specific background or experience do you bring that makes you the best qualified candidate to serve as an elected official in the township?I have experience working in a multi organization environment, managing budgets and providing leadership, where cooperation and teamwork are vital for success. It is no different here. The Trustees set the budget and audit the expenses. They must work in concert with the other elected officeholders, who also report to the people, in order to provide the services mandated by state statue.