Charles "Chuck" Bartels: Candidate Profile

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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:BioQA Bio City: MundeleinWebsite: www,ChuckBartels.comOffice sought: Lake County board District 10 Age: 69Family: Teresa Hall Bartels, Spouse -32 years, CEO Gateway for Cancer Research. Lead Partner, Hallbart Consulting. Matthew/Tonya - Denver, Architect Christopher/Robin- Wauconda, IL Landscape Services firm John/Kristen Shaker Hts, OH Wealth Mgmt firm Patrick, Baltimore,MD Nursing Student Johns Hopkins U. Peter, Pagosa Springs, CO Asst Mgr Pagosa BreweryOccupation: Consultant/Partner Hallbart ConsultingEducation: B.S. Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics for Teachers, John Carroll U. Cleveland OH 1966 M.Ed. University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign 2008Civic involvement: Full list in an email. Current: oAlverno College: Trustee. oCollege of Lake County, scholarship campaign co-chair. oLake County Partners for economic development. oLake County Republican Federation, board of governors. oPhi Kappa Phi: academic honor society. oZacharias Center, major gifts committee. Past: oLake County Partners:Co-founder in 1998, Vice-Chair/Chairman, 1999 â#8364;#8220; 2002. Board member 1998 â#8364;#8220; 2008. oUnited Way of Lake County: Chair, 1979-81. Campaign Chair 78-79. Board member/volunteer,74 â#8364;#8220; 83 oLake County Transportation Alliance: co-founder and treasurer, oCollege of Lake County Foundation: Chairman, 1997 - 99, oLake County LEARNS: Chairman 1993-96. oLCounty Rep Fed, Pres 1992-94 oLCounty Strategic Consensus Plan,Elected offices held: No Elected Government Office. Numerous Public/Private Partnerships - ChairmanQuestions Answers Should the county continue to pay for road improvements on state routes that otherwise wouldn't be addressed?In general, YES. Lake County collaborates with villages, townships, cities, and the state on transportation projects. LCDOT is most professional/effective. LC should and, in many cases, must investment with the state. Residents and businesses depend on the many state highways that criss-cross our county, providing everyone with (the only) road access. When LCDOT gets involved, especially if the project can be led the LCDOT team, projects are more likely to be done on time and on budget. Most transportation projects rely on multiple sources of funding, federal, state and local (with gas tax funds, for example).If you are an incumbent, describe your main contributions. Tell us of any important initiatives you've led. If you are a challenger, what would you bring to the board and what would your priority be?I have the experience and know how to get the right things done so that we have a vibrant, sustainable Lake County in which we, our children and grandchildren can continue to experience the quality of life which sets Lake County apart. My Four Priorities: 1.Retain and increase good jobs, with an attractive business environment and economic development. 2.Monitor County spending to maintain our unique AAA bond rating. Reduce total cost of government(s)through collaboration. 3.Mitigate congestion, improve roads and multi-modal transportation infrastructure. Apply Transportation Summit's plan. Support Route 53/120. 4.Preserve our County's natural resources and beauty; provide a sustainable environment.Name one concrete program you'll create or personnel move you'll make to improve efficiency in the county government operation or make it more it more successful. Explain how it will be funded and how you'll overcome any obstacles in initiating it.Lake County has a unique role to play to gain the benefits of collaboration. County Gov't (including the Forest Preserve) = 9% of my property taxes . The real opportunity to control property taxes: gain contol for TOTAL cost of government. Examples of the County's unique role: 1.Facilitate:expand current programs (e.g. purchasing) and find/establish new opportunities (e.g. basic gov't functions); 2.Model behaviors: train others,alert public, encourage other intergovernmental programs. Cost: main resources are existing staff/departments including public/private collaborations - LCP, LCTA - that can expand their agendas. Programs will be designed as enterprise funds, when actual added costs are incurred.Given the continued decline in interest of golf, should the forest district consider divesting its interests in some or all of its golf holdings?Decisions regarding divesting (or outsourcing) one or more courses must be made in context. This is about operating costs. My approach to County and Forest Preserve issues is the same. Continue and improve periodic study and assessment of existing assets and programs. Look for innovation, leverage investments. Golf courses have been a topic of discussion for some time. Divestiture may be one option -if there is a reasonable market. We should also consider leveraging these existing assets with innovative uses as another option - a fee basis for example or possibly in place of new open space investmentsDo you have any ideas on how you could work with municipalities within your district? What kind of issues do you think it would be worth collaborating on?YES! And, it applies to all units of gov't Some examples here will be new/expanded. Other models exist already including 1. a number of public/private partnerships that I co-founded that include many gov't units and business: LCP and LCTA (the latter sponsored the Transportation Summit in 2005 or 06 and that collaborative plan [mods] is still the priorities guide). 2.LC Purchasing agreements - other bodies can coattail, not enough do. 3. Consolidate "back office ops, for schools especially" - purchasing, engineering, planning, maintenance. LCounty has proven success with villages. 4. Other villages to use HWoods/Mund model re contracted bldg inspections.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?We must evaluate priorities and match revenue with expenses. Therefore, 1. control costs with planning and collaboration- a powerful tool. 2. Expand the sources of revenue = more jobs (from business retention, expansion new businesses). Spread the tax base by increasing ability for people to earn income and afford to share in the cost of services and business investment to improve tax base mix. My 4 priorities are all based on and/or necessary to increasing private sector jobs. And education/training is key to jobs - thus I have led and supported education initiatives and CLC for 40 yrsPlease name one current leader who most inspires you.Pope Francis. He knows how to focus on the message, how to get the right things done for the maximum benefit. He is a leader.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Service to "customers" and "community" with honesty, care and integrity. Our parents were small business people. We learned by watching and listening.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would not be disabled with paraplegia.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?1. Physics/Philosophy: both nurture my natural curiosity, encourage critical thinking and provide a basis for life-long learning,and comfort with change. Throughout history, science/philosophy are linked.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Everything you do/don't do affects you and your reputation - possibly your most important asset. Earn and keep it through service, honesty and integrity.