Ryan Weihofen: 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: LakemoorWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Lakemoor Mayor (4-year Term)Age: 37Family: married with three children.Occupation: Vice President of Construction, Maverick Pools, Inc. (17 years)Education: High School graduateCivic involvement: Candidate did not respond.Elected offices held: Mayor, Village of Lakemoor 2009-presentHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: noCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 My number one campaign issue is to bring new businesses and development to Lakemoor. We have been fortunate to have brought in Thornton's and we'll soon have a Walgreens at the corner of Darrell and Rte. 120. I will work diligently to try and develop Rte. 12 and Rte. 120 in the next four years.Key Issue 2 My second campaign issue is to bring completion to Kirk homes development in Rockwell Place. The Village has made a claim on the bankrupt developers bond company and is currently in litigation to get the funding to complete the site improvements. I will continue to work with the residents to ensure that their investments are safe.Key Issue 3 My third campaign issue is to provide the residents more social programs for all ages. The Village has recently hired a part-time Parks coordinator and we look forward to expanding on the type of programs we can offer our residents.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I am the best candidate based on my proven track record. I have been able to pass a balanced operating budget three years in a row and we are on target for a fourth year. Under my leadership, our Village has been able to advance and rebuild our reputation and also build strong working relationships with neighboring towns and agencies. In my first term we have focused on professionalism, training and bringing all of our departments up to today's standards. If I am fortunate enough to have the opportunity to be re-elected, then we will continue on this path of growth.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 community receives roughly 1% of local sales tax. I feel that the portion that our Village receives is proper but I strongly disagree with the mismanagement and careless spending and waste that eats up the other 6% through State agencies. I feel that it's our responsibility as elected officials to work to lower taxes not raise them.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.I feel that our number one public safety concern is the influx of heroin in Lake and McHenry counties. We will address this by working with and sharing information with all neighboring towns and agencies. This problem knows no boundaries and we need to educate our youth.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 finance committee meets on a regular basis and has been working hard to cut wasteful spending. The one area that I would allocate more funding, if it were possible, would be our parks.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?I would like to do a Tif feasibility study for the Rte. 120 corridor and our industrial areas. If a Tif district is possible in these areas, then it could provide some much needed funding and support for our existing businesses and properties to make much needed improvements.