Rob Hanlon: 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: WinfieldWebsite: www.MoreBusinessLessTax.comOffice sought: Winfield Village Board Age: 49Family: Spouse - Jodi Son - Quinn (1998) Daughter - Sydney (2000)Occupation: Chief Information Officer Treehouse Foods (NYSE:THS)Education: M.B.A. University of Chicago, Chicago, IL B.S. Computer Science, Taylor University, Upland, IndianaCivic involvement: Village of Winfield - Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee Village of Winfield - Environmental Concerns Commission Winfield Park District - Indoor Soccer Coach Winfield In Action - Baseball Coach Milton Township - Republican Election JudgeElected offices held: NoneQuestions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I am a long-time resident that engages people on multiple sides of passionate positions on long-time issues in Winfield. I understand that we are a diverse community. Empathizing and listening is a critical success factor of any Winfield Village representative. I am also passionate about attracting and growing business in Winfield that will make us proud to be residents. Seedy business, cold steel and bland strip malls are not part of who we are as a village and it will not contribute to our community pride, sustained business growth or reputation as a great place to live and raise a family. Based on my broad and deep business experience, I understand what is required to attract high-value business. I understand what is required to negotiate a solution where everyone wins, where we grow the pie instead of fighting over the pieces. I have lived in Winfield for 18 years and call it home.What is your opinion of your community's present level of local sales and property taxes? Is the tax just right, too low or too high? Explain.I believe in reducing future tax and fee burden on our residents. I believe that we should generate revenue for village services from sales tax before we increase tax our resident's property. In order to increase revenue from sales tax, we need to increase business in Winfield. We need to attract and retain new types of businesses; retail, services, medical, educational, hospitality to name a few. We need to promote shopping and dining in Winfield. We need to make it easy and attractive for the thousands that pass through Winfield's boarders every day to stay, shop and eat. We also need to invest in our businesses that have already committed to Winfield and serve our community.Rate the efficiency of your town's police and fire coverage. Are the departments well prepared for the next decade? What, if anything, should be changed? Do you have specific public safety concerns?Winfield's police and fire protection are outstanding, but it is not lost on me that we continue to ask our officers and firefighters do more with less. This is a dangerous erosion of capability that is only evident over multiple years. We need to continue to train our people. We need to continue investment in equipping our people with the right tools and technology sized for our community. I am encouraged by the collaboration between police departments and fire protection districts across DuPage County. The collaboration increases our safety as residents.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?I fundamentally do not believe the Winfield budget should be trimmed. Our Village is underfunded in variety of areas. We have choices to make as a community to address underfunded areas. We can raise revenue by taxing resident's property, increasing fees or issuing debt. Alternatively, we can raise revenue by bringing more business to Winfield. I choose to focus heavily on bringing business to Winfield. If the budget needs to be trimmed, we will need to reduce services, tap into reserves for maintenance or defer investment in replacing infrastructure, not raise our resident's property tax. I support increased transparency in our budget by making it easy for our residents to understand. Currently, the published budget is extremely difficult for our residents to understand; the purpose for various funds, the cost of operations, internal vs. contracted services, and funding mix decisions. It is difficult for residents to answer questions like, "What is included in my water bill, how will we fund the remaining roads or how have we invested in training and equipping police officers?" We have outstanding staff working hard to keep our operations functioning and financial administration do a great job making sure the current reporting is available.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?In order for Winfield to be attractive to prospective residents, visitors and potential new business, it requires an updated brand. We don't need to abandon existing messages but the comprehensive plan is clear, Winfield needs to update its image, recast its message and update its brand to encourage investment in Winfield. To shine a light on the many characteristics, events, businesses and people who make Winfield a great place. We need to attract new residents. We need to encourage visitors to stay. We need to be open for business and motivate business development to consider Winfield as a serious place to invest.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Winfield needs to collaboration with CDH/Northwestern Medicine through the lens of a business operation. We need to focus on growing Winfield together, not dividing up acreage. Vision for growth, aspirations for development and operational plans need to be more transparent on both sides. This will only occur in a safe environment where mutual trust and respect exist in a business setting.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Rob Bugh - Senior Pastor Wheaton Bible Church. His words consistently equal actions. He is a humble and transparent leader.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?There is a reason for everything. Learn, empathize with others, and be humble. God is in control.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would give it away to someone who deserves a second chance. I have no regrets.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Computer Programming - Success requires you break something large down into its smallest components. It is how I solve complex problems today.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?There is a reason for everything. Learn, empathize with others, be humble. God is in control.