Richard Veenstra: 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: AddisonWebsite: http://www.unitedaddison.comOffice sought: Addison Village President (4-year Term)Age: Candidate did not respond.Family: Married (Mary Ann), 2 children, 3 grandchildrenOccupation: General Manager, CVS Caremark Specialty PharmacyEducation: Bachelor of Science, University of Illinois College of PharmacyCivic involvement: President, St Philip the Apostle Parish Council Member, St Philip the Apostle Finance Commission Member, Americans of Italian Descent Past President, DuPage Pharmacists Association Past Member, Illinois Pharmacists Association Board of Directors Chair, Addison Substance Responsibility CommissionElected offices held: Trustee, Village of Addison Deputy Mayor Chair, Public Health, Safety and Judicial Committee Chair, Building, Zoning, and Development Committee Vice Chair, Finance CommitteeHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Maintaining the Village's commitment to financial responsibility and accountability.Key Issue 2 Promoting an open and transparent municipal government.Key Issue 3 Revitalization of underutilized retail areas, developing aging portions of the industrial park, and enhancing open space owned by the Village.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I have served multiple terms in the roles of Trustee and Deputy Mayor. I have gained knowledge and expertise in terms of the operational and functional roles of the Village and the critical interfaces that are essential to the provision of quality and consistent services to our residents and to our business and industrial sectors. My focus has been and continues to be on continual improvement of services to our community, balanced with fiscal responsibility.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.Reflective of Addison's AAA Bond Rating, I believe that we have achieved an optimal balance of revenue and funding sources. Our local sales tax is competitive, does not disadvantage our business sector, and provides adequate funding for municipal needs.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.Generally, there are no major public safety concerns that are uniquely focused in Addison. Broader concerns center on the potential for terrorism and random attacks on our schools and public places. We continue to work aggressively to integrate our local policing efforts with County, State, and Federal agencies to maintain a state of preparedness in the event that such attacks would be attempted.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?Through rigorous budgeting reviews, weekly scrutiny of payout requests, and ongoing review of budgetary compliance, we maintain a tight control on spending. Quite often, saving can, and are realized through intergovernmental cooperation and collaboration in projects and processes that minimize expense to the taxpayers. These efforts also result in the elimination of many redundant functions by the multiple taxing bodies.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?The spirit and vitality of a community lies in its ability to relate to, and to be supportive of the needs of the individuals who make up that community. Uniting various groups in shared and common causes, beliefs, and values is essential to building community. Integrating clubs, social organizations, and churches in joint activities that transcend individual group identities can be a viable method of building and strengthening community.