RIchard Parsons: 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: ElginWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Plato Township Clerk (4-year Term)Age: Candidate did not respond.Family: Married, 2 childrenOccupation: Healthcare ProfessionalEducation: Master of Business Administration (MBA) Keller Graduate SchoolCivic involvement: Illinois High School Association Certified Basketball ClinicianElected offices held: Plato Township Clerk,2008-2013Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: N/ACandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Efficient resource utilization for local government.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.Evaluate the expenditures of the township as it relates to labor, supplies, and contracts. With the rising taxes, dollar devaluation, and unemployment rate high, the community members have less money available to support their needs and desires. By scrutinizing all dollars spent and spending money where needed, the Township can do it's part in not increasing the levy. This may help in curbing the growth of taxes. Educating the community on the resources of Plato Township and encouraging involvement in local goverment activities. More people involved in helping enrich our community can only shed light into the community. Maintain a safe quality of life for our community.In the 21st Century, with municipalities gobbling up vacant land, why are townships needed? Should they be serving a new role? If so, what?Township government should assist the neighboring municipalities in a planned growth versus the sprawl we have seen in many areas in the US. Kane County has a well-defined growth plan that is a template for preserving the natural resources, open space for community recreation, and maintaining a "quality of life" perspective for those not wanting to be surrounded by rooftops.What should be the primary responsibility of township government?Township government responsibilities include; Serving the needs of the community members as it relates to safety, quality of life, programs to assist those in need, and a planned approach to fiscal responsibility.In these hard economic times, can you identify some township expenses/programs that could be trimmed or eliminated to reduce the tax burden?In the past four plus years I have been Clerk, Plato Township has had a consistent pattern of evaluating the fiscal resources needed to meeet tghe operational needs of the entities within the community. This is an ongoing necessity in these difficult financial times.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 was selected by the Board to replace the former Clerk and was elected for my first term four years ago. I have lived in this community for twelve years, hold a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) degree and have a passion for honest government.