Michael Gaeta: 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: Hoffman EstatesWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Hoffman Estates Village Board (4-year Terms)Age: 75Family: Married 52 years, four children, 6 grandchildrenOccupation: Self employed. Owner/ Distributor of 2 Seattle Sutton Healthy Eating locations.Education: Associate degree from Fenn Community CollegeCivic involvement: Vice chairman of Planning Zoning Board of Village of Hoffman Estates Founding member of Haverford Place Bible Study Group Civil Air Patrol (auxiliary of United States Air Force) Lieutenant Colonel Past Deputy Wing Commander for the State of Illinois Incident Commander/Search and Rescue Chamber of Commerce of Arlington HtsElected offices held: Served as First President of Haverford Place Homeowners Assoc. Current position Treasurer of Haverford Place Homeowners Assoc. Past President of Illinois Chapter Food Service Executives Association Past Board member of National Association Catering ExecutivesHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Continue to bring new business to Hoffman Estates thereby helping to lower residential taxes and provide employment to returning veteransKey Issue 2 Continue serving the village and be the voice when meeting budget challenges and working together to obtain fiscal goals for the citizens and business owners of Hoffman EstatesKey Issue 3 I feel an obligation to give back to the community and continue to serve the village that will help it grow to the greatness that it deserves.Questions Answers Which areas of the village are you making it a priority to develop in the next four years and with what type of businesses specifically?All areas of the village are a priority but with emphasis on the Western area, such as a continued care facility, light manufacturing, gas station and mini mart, associated with strip shopping centerAre there changes you would propose regarding the multi-village Fourth of July celebration at the Sears Centre?I support the multi-village Fourth of July celebration at the Sears Centre Additional fireworks Better traffic control for entering and exiting the Sears CentreIs the Sears Centre performing up to residents' expectations? If yes, do you support any changes going forward. If no, what specifically should the village be doing (or stop doing) to improve it?Yes. I do continue to support promoting new and different venues to the Sears CentreGiven the delicate balance between the need for revenue and over-taxing local businesses, what is your opinion of the village's present level of local sales taxes? Is the tax just right, too low or too high? Explain.Cook County sales tax makes business growth more difficultWhat are the village's biggest public safety concerns? Explain the concern as you see it, and discuss how you think it should be addressed.I believe that the village is a safe place to raise a family and own a business and be employed in Hoffman Estates