Phil Collins: 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: MundeleinWebsite: http://philcollinscampaign.blogspot.comOffice sought: Libertyville Township Board (4-year Terms)Age: 45Family: I have a wife, Nicole, and we don't have any children.Occupation: I do marketing for Liberty Tax Service, in Gurnee.Education: In 1989, I received a B.A. in political science from the University of Arkansas. I'm about 3/4 finished earning a Masters in Public Administration from City University of Seattle.Civic involvement: I'm the first president of my church, the Gathering, of Lombard.Elected offices held: NoneHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Ensuring that the township property tax rate is kept low.Key Issue 2 Trying to sell some land that belongs to the township. The money would be used to improve roads and help the poor.Key Issue 3 Keeping voters informed about township government news by using facebook and twitter.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.We shouldn't consider any tax rate increases, since many other governments have increased tax rates. We should sell land, to get more money. We should tell the voters about our progress, by using many websites.In the 21st Century, with municipalities gobbling up vacant land, why are townships needed? Should they be serving a new role? If so, what?In some parts of Illinois, townships aren't needed, if all of the township residents live in a municipality. In those areas, the townships should be dissolved, if that's approved by the township residents, in a referendum.What should be the primary responsibility of township government?Repair and pave roads, in unincorporated areas, decrease flooding, in those areas, and help the needy.In these hard economic times, can you identify some township expenses/programs that could be trimmed or eliminated to reduce the tax burden?No, I can't think of any.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 think that my experience will help, since I have a B.A. in political science and since I'm almost finished earning an MPA. I have government experience since I was in the navy for 21 years (11 on active duty and 10 in the reserves), including six months near Baghdad.