Richard Mittelman: 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: LibertyvilleWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Libertyville Township Board (4-year Terms)Age: 61Family: Wife, Janet; 2 sons: Niel, 27, Greg, 25Occupation: AttorneyEducation: BA; JDCivic involvement: Former Board member and president, Libertyville Little League; member, Libertyville Sunrise Rotary Club; former youth baseball, basketball and soccer coach; Member of Lake County and Illinois State Bar Associations.Elected offices held: Libertyville Township trustee (current); Grant H.S. Board of Education (1988-90)Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Keeping the township financially prudent and responsible in its operations.Key Issue 2 Making sure that township open spaces, paid for by the township taxpayers, are cared for and accessible to the township residents. We need to do this in a financially responsible way that includes prudent budgeting, and partnering with other governmental agencies (like the County Forest Preserve), and/or not for profit groups (like Lake County Conserve).Key Issue 3 Continuing to provide a well-run, well stocked food pantry, that is complemented by a quality social worker who can assist needy residents in finding help. This has been done, and needs to be continued.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. Reducing the budget and eliminating overhead where possible. This is important because the taxpayers are paying for these services. I have asked the supervisor to explore the possibility of outsourcing some services. I have also advocated for and voted in favor of a freeze on elected officials? pay, and to continually review the benefits provided to employees and elected officials, primarily health insurance. 2. Making sure that township open spaces, paid for by the township taxpayers, are cared for and accessible to the township residents. We need to do this in a financially responsible way that includes prudent budgeting, and partnering with other governmental agencies (like the County Forest Preserve), and/or not for profit groups (like Lake County Conserve). 3. Continuing to provide a well-run, well stocked food pantry, that is complemented by a quality social worker who can assist needy residents in finding help. This has been done, and needs to be continued.In the 21st Century, with municipalities gobbling up vacant land, why are townships needed? Should they be serving a new role? If so, what?One can make an argument that the supervisor's department, the highway department and the assessor's office can be served through either a municipality or the county. I can envision cost savings by consolidating these services, but, I do not believe that doing so will necessarily produce the cost savings that some envision because labor will still be needed to provide the services. Further, having listened to residents of the township who receive these services, I believe that consolidations could lead to less personal service and more red tape that might gobble up any cost savings. With respect to the township supervisor's office, Libertyville Township is unique because it cares for 1600 acres of open space. The Open Space District was approved by the voters and paid for by tax dollars. The County Forest preserve does not want some of our holdings so we could not fold the Open Space District into the Forest Preserve. The other duties of the supervisor's office, such as the food pantry, social services, and attending to various needs of those in unincorporated areas, could be consolidated, but I believe that the cost of providing those services would still be present. So, while there may be a slight cost saving, I do not believe that it would necessarily be significant. As noted above, however, I do believe we can find cost savings and have advocated for them during my term. The highway department, arguably, could be consolidated with neighboring villages? departments, or the County. Again, that consolidation may eliminate some expense, but it would come at the cost of service to the residents. Now, township residents in unincorporated areas get a quick response from their highway commissioner who is out in the field supervising and working. Presumably, if the County took over the township roads, it would need to either add those duties to a current supervisor, or add personnel. Taxes for those of us who live in incorporated areas would not be changed if there was a consolidation of highway services. The Township does not have responsibility for Village of Libertyville roads, for example, and, in fact, turns over to the village that portion of the tax dollars collected from residents for village roads. On the other hand, the Village of Green Oaks contracts with the Township for highway services. Accordingly, Green Oaks would have to contract with another public entity, staff its own highway department, or contract with a private company. Bottom line, cost savings could be achieved, but not to the degree that some think. The third element of the township is the assessor's office. Consolidating all township assessors into one big Lake County Assessor's Office may provide some efficiency, but I do not believe it will reduce the amount paid for personnel. The assessment process will still need to be divided into manageable departments. Townships are all equal in size, so that division makes sense. Instead of an elected township assessor, the county would assign a supervisor to oversee each township. I am in favor of smaller government at the lowest possible cost. But, having given a lot of thought to this question (for several years), I am not convinced that eliminating townships will produce more cost effective services for the taxpayers.What should be the primary responsibility of township government?By statute, the supervisor is to provide general assistance to residents. That is the primary responsibility, and, of course, we do that. However, the township has the authority to provide programs for seniors, youth and the disadvantaged. We do that in a cost effective way by screening grant applications and providing funds to those organizations that have the skill to provide those services. In this way, we assist in providing township residents with necessary services, but without a new program run by the township.In these hard economic times, can you identify some township expenses/programs that could be trimmed or eliminated to reduce the tax burden?First, in the past two years we have lowered our levy by 10% one year, and kept it level a second year. We do have quality staff members, and they, like all of us, would like to get generous raises, but, to reduce our tax burden, we need to keep a check on rising personnel costs. As noted above, we do not have the expense of programs for seniors or youth, so we do not have to eliminate programs. Our food pantry has some expense, but is primarily staffed by volunteers.What specific background or experience do you bring that makes you the best qualified candidate to serve as an elected official in the township?First, I have been coming to township meeting, even before I was elected in 2009, for many years. I know the issues. Second, I am prepared and diligent. I question decisions, and demand information to make sure that any choice we make is ethical, supported by facts and makes sense from an operational and financial point of view. Third, I am an attorney who practices in municipal law. I know the law, and have expressed caution on some issues that have come before the board. This has led to consultation with the township's legal counsel, and, at times, a modification of the board's action to make sure we are on solid legal grounds.