advertisement

Steve Schuldt: Candidate Profile

Rutland Township Board (4-year Terms) (Republican)

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: HAMPSHIREWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Rutland Township Board (4-year Terms)Age: 61Family: Married for 39 years Wife: Deborah Daughter: Stephanie, Teacher - Married to Chris Ludwig, architect Son: Patrick - USAF Pilot -Wife:Meredith USAF Doctor Son: Steven - USAF Civil Engineer-Wife:Michelle, Nurse 5 GrandchildrenOccupation: Owner of Tessendorf Mechanical Services, Gilberts ILEducation: Graduated Dundee High School Attended ECC Numerous trade schools in electrical/hvac/controlsCivic involvement: Past Board Member of Zion United Church/Carpentersville Past Volunteer @Harvest Bible Chapel Past Assistant and Precinct Committeeman For Rutland 2 precinct (Republican) Prior Volunteer coaching @Immanual Lutheran in DundeeElected offices held: Rutland Township Trustee for two term Prior Precinct Committman for Rutland TownshipHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NOCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 My platform has never changed since I have been in Office - Accountability to the Taxpayer for the wise use of our taxpayer dollars.Key Issue 2 Candidate did not respond.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.Being a fiscal conservative, if elected I intend to a)VOTE TO FREEZE PROPERTY TAX LEVIES AT CURRENT RATE (b)LIMIT COMPENSATION FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS TO PART-TIME STATUS (c)FREEZE COMPENSATION OF BOARD MEMBERSIn the 21st Century, with municipalities gobbling up vacant land, why are townships needed? Should they be serving a new role? If so, what?I think we are seriously going to have to look at is issue in the coming years. Revenue to the state is dropping drastically, and we need to be making serious changes to the way we have always done business. Are there services already provided at the local, county or state level that can be expanded to include the townships - thereby eliminating that expense at the township level? We need to look into these issues, because there is only so much tax money to go around. Until the state makes changes to Township government, all we can do at the township level is to provide the mandated services as cost effectively as possible.What should be the primary responsibility of township government?Three primary purposes - maintain the roads and bridges, appraising property values and administering the General Assistance Program to qualified residents.In these hard economic times, can you identify some township expenses/programs that could be trimmed or eliminated to reduce the tax burden?Our current board has been extremely frugal in allocating our funds, we do not administer any other programs than that which is specifically mandated by law. I do not intend to change that policy.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 lived in Rutland Township for over 20 years and been a business owner in Rutland Township for over 30 years. I am committed to being a wise steward over our tax dollars.