Matt Dowling: Candidate Profile

Back to St. Charles City Council Ward 4

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: St. CharlesWebsite: Dowlingfordowntown.comOffice sought: St. Charles City Council Ward 4 Age: 41Family: Mother Patricia Father Edward Brother Ryan Not married, no childrenOccupation: owner/operator Discount Tire Service Inc.Education: HS Diploma 2 years Comm. CollegeCivic involvement: Candidate did not respond.Elected offices held: noneQuestions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I have lived in St. Charles for 38 years, more than 10 of those in the downtown area. I have worked in downtown St. Charles for over 25 Years. I believe I know what the people of St. Charles want and what they value.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 love this town, but I do believe there is some wasteful spending particularly in the areas of the school district and libraries. We need to reign in the spending and try to lower the taxes. I believe if we can do this even minimally it will help bring more people and businesses to the downtown area.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?I have personal and professional relationships with many of the brave men and women that keep us safe. I believe our police/fire departments are among the best in chicagoland.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?See property tax reasoning.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?Creating more tax incentives to bring "anchor" retail stores into the downtown area, whether it is sales tax or property tax incentives.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?There are many things I am interested in, but creating a vibrant downtown atmosphere where people would not only want to shop and dine, but would want to live.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Scott WalkerWhat's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Honesty is the best policyIf life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would liked to have spent more time with my late cousin who passed away to soon.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Mathematics, I use it everyday when running a business.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?I would tell them to treat people as you'd like to be treated yourself.