Brad Hettich: 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: LisleWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Lisle Village Board (4-year Terms)Age: 37Family: Married, three children. 6 and 10 year-old boys and a 14 year-old daughter.Occupation: Business Consultant / Finance SpecialistEducation: Bachelor of Arts in History with a minor in Political Science from Eastern Illinois University, 1997Civic involvement: Lisle Rotary Club, Lisle Eyes to the Skies Festival Committee, previous Planning Zoning Commissioner in LisleElected offices held: Trustee Village of Lisle since Dec 2012Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Maintaining fiscal responsibility and a balanced budget despite the pressures being put on local municipalities due to the State's financial woesKey Issue 2 Attracting new businesses to Lisle to provide new jobs for residents, to encourage home ownership, and to generate additional sales tax and real estate tax revenue for the Village of LisleKey Issue 3 Improving existing public services creatively while minimizing expense increases to residentsQuestions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I have substantial experience in finance, business administration and business management. In addition, I am good at working with other people and good at getting creative in solving complex problems. I understand legal matters and have experience working through complex transactions. All of this experience gives me a strong background to help work through the many fiscal, economic, and other issues the Village of Lisle will face over the next four years.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.The current level of sales tax is just right. The issue is getting additional businesses into the Village of Lisle to enhance the tax base to generate the additional levels of revenue the Village could benefit from.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.Being sure the Village maintains adequate numbers of Police on the streets of Lisle. We need to keep all budgets in balance so that we can be sure to keep well trained and experienced police officers on our streets to maintain a high level of public safety.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?Like with most budgets, there are always areas that could be trimmed. The existing Village Board has done a good job maintaining a balanced budget. However, as the State's troubles will likely impact future revenues for the Village from the State, we will have to be creative in cutting the budget going forward. I cannot say with certainty where cuts will make the most sense, but all options have to be on the table, including getting creative about out-sourcing some services and Village needs if it can save the Village money.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?We need to bring all of the service organizations and government bodies in town together to talk about priorities for improving all aspects of the Village of Lisle. There are many organizations with good ideas and with money to spend on improving Lisle. By working together these organizations can form public, private, non-profit partnerships to effect positive change in the Village of Lisle.