Michael Ireland: 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: Fox River GroveWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Fox River Grove Village Board (4-year Terms)Age: 54Family: Married 27 years, Wife #8211; Sarah. Two Sons, Jamie #8211; 24 Elliott -21Occupation: Sales/MarketingEducation: High School/Kellogg Community College #8211; U.S. ArmyCivic involvement: Past FRG Lions Club Member, FRG Rec. Council CoachElected offices held: 2000-2004 #8211; Trustee of FRG, 2008-Present #8211; Trustee of FRG/ Chairman of the Public Works CommitteeHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: noCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 This would be to continue to my fiduciary responsibility of managing expenditures vs. revenues. Our village government is responsible for providing police services, maintaining streets, parks, and infrastructure, plus additional services needed to make our village the quality community we all desire and deserve. In a time when revenue sources are at risk, we must seek options to reduce expenditures without compromising services. Key Issue 2 Our Downtown Redevelopment project is in its early stages. Proactive steps have been taken in developing a TIF district to address the blighted downtown area near the Metra station. The Village has been successful working with Metra and a new, modern Metra station should be completed late fall of this year. This was a key element of this redevelopment project. We still need to address creating additional downtown parking, developing a village façade improvement program and improving water/sewer infrastructure for existing and future development of this area. I would like to continue working with others crafting the framework that will put us in a position of implementation as our economy continues to improve.Key Issue 3 The new Public Works Facility is of great importance to me and to our community. The initial objective was to relocate the entire department. Currently the Public works department shares the same area as our Waste Water Treatment Plant. We expect additional environmental standards will be required in the future, which at that time would require a complete relocation of the Public Works Department. The initial conceptual design of this building, as presented, was for only vehicle and equipment storage at an estimated cost between 2.8M and 3.5M. It was approved by the Village Board that this project would be completed in phases, with office and vehicle repair to be constructed at a later date. I voted against this plan as I believe the total cost of the approved project exceeds what is realistic and affordable for a community of our size. The potential to burden our community with significant annual water and sewer rate increase is very realistic with this plan unless modified. Relocation of the Public Works Department is needed; however, it should be the entire department to include the office space and vehicle repair area with only the funding we have secured to date. Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I am a homeowner, taxpayer and parent, and I face many of the same day-to-day issues and concerns as you. I have served our village as a trustee starting 2000 #8211; 2004 and 2008 to present.#160; As your elected official, I devote the time needed to gain an understanding of the issue, concern or opportunity. I welcome comments, opinions and the perspectives of others. I ask myself two specific questions before I ever cast a vote: 1) Is this in the best interest of the residents; 2) Will this improve the quality of life of our community? If I can't say yes to both, I vote no. I have and will continue to ask the difficult questions that many would like to ask, yet are reluctant. My objective remains the same; to represent all residents and local businesses with integrity and commitment, while working collaboratively to improve the quality of life for our community. 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.Our current sales taxes revenue has shown a steady increase, as a result of the efforts of our current and past village boards. Fox River Grove is a non-home rule municipality; we have no authority to increase taxes on local businesses other than those currently allowed by the state law. We continue to support our existing local businesses as we seek to attract a variety of businesses that will provide additional products and services to our community and will further establish Fox River Grove as a destination, not a drive through. The sales tax dollars generated within our village stay in our village, thus providing for additional capital projects and future enhancements to our community.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.From conversations I have had, it would be public/pedestrian safety. The location of our community has two major roadways; Northwest Highway and State Route 22. We have two schools that are separated by Northwest Highway and also Union Pacific/Metra train tracks. Whether you're a child or an adult crossing these busy roadways or train tracks, either by walking or riding a bike is a concern of many. The village does not have the resources to construct a pedestrian walkway to improve public/pedestrian safety on its own. Our village needs to express these concerns to our state representatives and others and ask for their support in obtaining funding that is needed for this needed, public/pedestrian safety improvement.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?Our village is and has always been frugal with its limited resources. Our village employees understand our funding limitations and work collaboratively with village board when discussing capital projects and other required maintenance improvements. Together, we also understand in a time when our revenue sources are at risk, we must continue to identify opportunities of cost savings without compromising village service. As for area in our budget that never has enough funding; that would be our road program and needed infrastructure improvements. What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?I believe it would be almost impossible to have an idea that has not been talked about by our community, non-profit organizations, taxing bodies or the current or past village boards.