Joe Gunnell: 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: InglesideWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Grant Township Board (4-year Terms)Age: 70Family: I am a member of Saint Bede's Catholic Church, Ingleside, IL. Have been divorced for 17-years and have one son who is currently attending Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL.Occupation: Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Bank Examiner from 1969 to 1999. Since that time I formed a bank consulting company specializing in Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorist Financing activities. Refer to www.bsasolutionsinc.comEducation: 1)Bachlor of Business Administration, Loyola University, Chicago, IL. (1965) 2)Bachlor of Foreign Trade, Thunderbird Graduate School of Global Management, Glendale, AZ. (1966) 3)University of Wisconsin Graduate School of Banking, Madison, WI. (1993)Civic involvement: 1) Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (1999). - National Chicago Chapters. 2) Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists (2005) - National Chicago Chapters. 3) Anti-Money Laundering Professional Certification (2008) - 4) Saint Bede's Church 5) Grant Township Food Pantry 6) Fox Lake-Grant Township Area Historical Society (2000) 7) American Legion Post #703 (Social Member), Fox Lake, IL.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 Economic growth in the Township. The primary stimulus is economic growth which is achieved by having a solid base of small businesses. It is important that the Board of Trustees work with and support the villages within its boundaries in stimulating the attraction and/or creation of small businesses in the Township.Key Issue 2 I have a deep concern about the families who are having a difficult time feeding themselves. The Township has an excellent food pantry which is run effectively and effectintly. However, its operations must be increased. The Board should take a more active role in obtaining donations for the pantry from both individuals and businesses. Helping the hungry of the Township is a high priority item for me. My father use to tell me "to put your money where your mouth is". Well I'm doing just that! I pledge, if elected, I will donate one-third of the net salary received from the position of Trustee to the Grant Township food pantry. Currently, Trustees earn a gross salary of $6,000 per year.Key Issue 3 I have always been a strong advocate of women's rights and pledge to help a woman get elected to the Grant Township Board of Trustees at the next election. To my knowledge there has never been a woman on the Board. Currently, all four members are males and have been on the Board anywhere from 12 to 40-years. It was very disappointing to note that not one woman filed a petition to run for Trustee in 2013.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.I believe this question has been answered via my three Key Campaign Issues set forth above.In the 21st Century, with municipalities gobbling up vacant land, why are townships needed? Should they be serving a new role? If so, what?Obviously I believe in the concept of Township government. Otherwise I would not be running for the position of Trustee. Township government is truly the"People's Government". Federal, state and county government is just too big. Township government is small enough to provide personal service to members of the community and better understand their needs than larger impersonal government entities. I firmly believe Township government should not be changed.What should be the primary responsibility of township government?The care and well being of the community.In these hard economic times, can you identify some township expenses/programs that could be trimmed or eliminated to reduce the tax burden?No, not in Grant Township.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 have over 46-years experience in international, national and state finances. Thirty of these years were with the FDIC as a national Bank Examiner. In addition to that I am a small business owner and have experience in global finance. I am a certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist, an Anti-Fraud Examiner and have numerous degrees as set forth above. Due to the limited amount of space provided I can not elaborate upon my other educational activities. For further details, please visit my website at www.bsasolutionsinc.com.