Colleen Lang: 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: St. CharlesWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: St. Charles Township Assessor (4-year Term)Age: 63Family: Married with four children, four grandchildrenOccupation: St. Charles Township AssessorEducation: Bachelor of Arts Degree in Secondary Education Certified Illinois Assessing Officer - IntermediateCivic involvement: Active member, past president of the Zonta Club of St. Charles,Elected offices held: Assessor, St. Charles TownshipHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NOCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 With 22 years of experience in the assessment field, 12 plus years as the St. Charles Township Assessor, I am not only vested in the community but am a highly respected professional who will continue to be dedicated to providing fair and equitable assessments without preference or prejudice.Key Issue 2 To continue to provide open and easily accessible property data to the general public through the township website: www.stcharlestownship.org.Key Issue 3 Candidate did not respond.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.N/AIn the 21st Century, with municipalities gobbling up vacant land, why are townships needed? Should they be serving a new role? If so, what?Townships provide vital services to the community that cannot be equaled in larger forms of government, providing a grass roots, more easily acccessible contact with government officials and their staff. Their knowledge of and interaction with the township community and it people is extremely important and worth preserving. It is the most cost efficient means of providing much needed services.What should be the primary responsibility of township government?Maintaining the services and accessiblity as stated above.In these hard economic times, can you identify some township expenses/programs that could be trimmed or eliminated to reduce the tax burden?St. Charles Township has always been fiscally responsible.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 22 years of experience in the assessment field, more than 12 years as the current St. Charles Township Assessor. I have a vested interest in the community, having lived in St. Charles for 26 years.