James Cecille: 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: StreamwoodWebsite: http://n/aOffice sought: Streamwood Village President (4-year Term)Age: 69yrsFamily: Married,five children, six grandchildren)Occupation: Retired Union Carpenter ForemanEducation: High School Graduate Numerous Collage CoursesCivic involvement: Commander Amvets Post 277, Streamwood Moose Club Lions Club Past President Streamwood Little Lge. Coached youth bowling. (Streamwood Lanes) Volunteer Streamwood High School Theater Projects. Volunteer for St.John the Evangelist food pantry Volunter Hanover Township food pantry toy drive. Volunter Streamwood Kiwanis Club Member, Streamwood Chamber of Commerce. Hanover Township Veteran's Honor Roll N/AElected offices held: Current Village Trustee, 1987-current Police and Fire Commmission Veteran's Memorial Commission Served on all commissions in Streamwood.Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NOCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Transparency in Government.Residents should be able to access how their tax dollars are spent.Line items should be clear,detailed,and accessible.Key Issue 2 More involvement with our adjoining Communities, Collaboration with our state, county, and federal officials to bring tax dollars to our Village.Key Issue 3 More responsive to Residents issues and concerns. We need to do more to encourage our small businesses to succeed, while also bringing new commercial growth to our Village.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?My experience of 26 years as a Village Trustee being a voting member of the board.Having participated on all commissions and committees gaining knowledge to see the best possible way to spend taxpayers dollars. I would encourage changes in the budget to better reflect the safety and concerns of the residents.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.Local sales taxes are just right for our economy. We are compatible with the surrounding communities. Our projected budget is exceeding our expectations.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.Gangs are the biggest concern. Our excellent Police Department has worked diligently on this issue. We also have a large increase of rental properties. Neighbors would like more stability in who is living next to them This could be addressed by more encouragement by the Village in assisting more first time home buyers or other programs to assist homeowners to live in the purchased homes.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?Certain line items could be trimmed. Some of the overtime allocated in Departments that is then transferred to a 501c to cover costs for the Summerfest should be reimbursed back to the Village when a profit is realized.Money could be adjusted from the road program and Equipment replacement programs,reviewing other budget items that are not in line with expenses. Money could be used for the Proposed Grant program . Would also like to put money for the future renovation and reopening of one of our fire stations that was closed to utilize the building for emergency ambulance services.This building better covers the South portion of our Village, which would relieve our dependency on adjoining towns to cover our emergencies.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?To develop a Owner-Occupied Residential Property Grant to give/assist homeowners struggling in these tough economic times help. Village staff could also help guide these residents to have better knowledge of programs that are available to them.