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Charleen Carlsen: Candidate Profile

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

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: GilbertsWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Rutland Township Board (4-year Terms)Age: 76Family: Married for 23 years, 4 children 4 grandchildrenOccupation: Retired Bookkeeper, Office ManagerEducation: Graduated New Trier High SchoolCivic involvement: Treasurer of Home Community Development (HCE) Pingree Grove Unit, on the Board of the Rutland Twp. Historical Society, A Director on The Tyler Creek Watershed Coalition Committee, Past Treasurer President of the Carpentersville Dundee Area League of Women Voters.Elected offices held: Former: Village of Gilberts Village Clerk 93-95, Village of Gilberts Trustee 99-03, Rutland Twp. Clerk 05-09Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Keeping our taxes at the lowest possible level.Key Issue 2 Keeping open communication with surrounding municipal, township county governments in order to be up to date on their issues how they could affect the Township.Key Issue 3 Establishing Order at our meetings.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.We will need to continue to curb spending possibly by forming more intergovernmental agreements for such issues as the feasibility of mosquito abatement. Posting on our web site places for those needing locations of food pantries, information on available programs for seniors, where to go for assistance on utility bills etc. and by making ourselves available to the residents to address their concerns. Residents are always welcome to attend our regular Board Meetings the 2nd Tuesday of every month at the Township Hall.In the 21st Century, with municipalities gobbling up vacant land, why are townships needed? Should they be serving a new role? If so, what?I've had people tell me that they've heard the rumors about Township Government being eliminated and that they're concerned it could happen. The feeling I get is that people want a local government contact to call or go to who knows their community. They seem concerned about their questions, problems, or issues getting lost in all the bureaucracy and being set aside should that happen . The Township now and in the future is an important resource for the residents since they all live in the area and share many common goals and problems.What should be the primary responsibility of township government?To serve the Township residents responsibly, effectively, and as economically as possible.In these hard economic times, can you identify some township expenses/programs that could be trimmed or eliminated to reduce the tax burden?I will not presume to identify any expenses or programs to be trimmed or eliminated until I'm elected and can examine things for myself. Also, by law, I as Trustee have no control over how all monies are spent as long as they are within their respective budgets. The Road Commissioner Assessor are in charge of their individual budgets how they're spent.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 bring both Village Township Clerk as well as Village Trustee experience to the position of Township Trustee. These positions will bring a total of 10 years experience in local government to the Township. I work hard, show up, and follow thru so if I'm elected I pledge to continue these attributes.