advertisement

Terry Kelly: Candidate Profile

Palatine Township Assessor (4-year Term) (Rep)

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: PalatineWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Palatine Township Assessor (4-year Term)Age: 57Family: Married for 31 years to Kim. Son Dan--Junior at UW Milwaukee Daughter Katie--Junior at Fremd H.S.Occupation: Manager at a diversified global company providing innovative products and practical solutions to challenging regulatory and construction problems.Education: BA, Marquette University, Political Science Major 1978 BS, Elmhurst College, Business Admin. 1982 MS, National-Louis University, Management 1991Civic involvement: Palatine Lions Club Palatine Township Cemetery Committee Past Assistant Coach, Little LeagueElected offices held: Palatine Township AssessorHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: No.Candidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Providing services our community needs at the best price.Key Issue 2 Help further define the role of Palatine Township Government and the Township Assessor.Key Issue 3 Understand that The role of Township Government, while changing and evolving, is to provide a safety net for the citizens. Sometimes minimal taxpayer dollars need to be spent in order to improve the community (such as expanding the Food pantry, restoring our pioneer cemeteries, etc.)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.1.Further expansion of the Food Pantry. Supervisor Linda Fleming has done an outstanding job in increasing the size of the Food Pantry and the number of volunteers. Example is Northrup Gruman who send volunteers out every month to help. Unfortunately the need keeps growing. 2.Look at programs with a current business and homeowner sense. Trustee Candidates Chris Adrian and Debbie McGuire are out in the work force everyday and are also raising families in our community. They understand the burdens government can make on a family, but they also see the potential for a smart, cost effective government and how the community can benefit from this. 3. Commitment. Whether it be volunteering for the Cemetery Committee like Trustee Candidate Chris Adrian or volunteering at the Lions Club like Debbie McGuire the Township Board needs active members of our community; this will help ensure the true needs of the community are recognized.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 serve all residents in the community, not just those located in unincorporated areas. Over the years Palatine Township has evolved and has brought new programs to better serve the community. For example the Palatine Township Food pantry has been expanded and now serves over 300 residents a month. Unfortunately the need for this type of service continues to grow. Supervisor Linda Fleming has also helped increase our Transportation Department to better serve the needs of our senior citizens.What should be the primary responsibility of township government?Provide assistance and programs for those in need, especially for those individuals and families who might not qualify for other programs. Your Township is a safety net. Along with that maintain all roads in unincorporated areas. Here Highway Commissioner John Powers has done a tremendous job at a minimal cost. And to be the go between with the Cook County Assessor, your local Assessor helping you to understand and reduce your property tax bill.In these hard economic times, can you identify some township expenses/programs that could be trimmed or eliminated to reduce the tax burden?Townships make up less than 3% of your tax bill. Townships have always led the way in providing cost effective and efficient government services for our community. Under Supervisor Linda Fleming Palatine Township has continued to expand its volunteer base for programs such as the Food Pantry, which in turn saves tax payer dollars.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 am a Certified Illinois Assessing Officer (CIAO). In order to keep up on all the latest information available I continue to take classes and have completed over 210 hours of additional classroom training. Additionally, I "grew up" in Township Government. My father, Gene Kelly, was Township Attorney for many years. As a youngster I used to attend Board meetings with my brothers. I got to see at an early age the many wonderful programs Township Government offers.