Charles Pearson: 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: Pingree GroveWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Pingree Grove Village Board (4-year Terms)Age: 64Family: married,three children and two grandchildren.Occupation: Systems Software Analyst (retired)Education: Bachelor of Science degree in business management from Colorado State University,1976 A teaching certificate from Trinity International University,2003Civic involvement: Northern Illinois Food Bank, Elgin United Way, and Habitat for Humanity.Elected offices held: noneHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: noCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 I feel that it is critical that the growth for Pingree Grove be properly controlled. We as the Village board should all have this concern.Key Issue 2 Currently the budget for the village is in pretty good shape. But, soon we will be in need of more money for maintenance and expansion of the infrastructure. My concern is where that money will come from.Key Issue 3 This ties in with my second issue. The need for enlarging the tax base by encouraging businesses to get established in our village is of utmost importance.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?My experience in business taught me to look at any given challenge from more than one angle. I feel that one of my greatest strengths is looking and listening for different points of view, then taking that information and determining what I feel is the best answer for that situation.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.I believe that the tax rate in Pingree Grove is correct for our situation. I do not see a need to increase the tax rate, only the tax base.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.The curve on Route 72 east of Big Timber Road is hazardous. I have seen and experienced what this curve can do to vehicles when the road becomes snow-covered. Also, on the west side of the intersection there is a blind spot for eastbound traffic. When vehicles are backed up at the stop sign, there is a very short distance for those cars to stop, because of the sharp curve there. I think that the road needs to be straightened from both directions, east and west, from the stop sign.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?I don't know of any excesses or shortcomings in our current budget. However, I/we should be concerned about the village's ability to maintain our infrastructure in the next five to ten years.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?I think a park district would be a good idea for the village. I realize it is not something that could be available in the near future, but I do feel that it would help unify the village by encouraging us to interact more with our neighbors. I know from personal experience the children and the adults would have many opportunities for education, social interaction, and fun. Going forward, I see this as a wonderful addition to our village.