Todd Bancroft: 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: St. CharlesWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: St. Charles City Council Ward 3 Age: 46Family: Michelle Bancroft - Wife Stephen Bancroft - Son Michael Bancroft - SonOccupation: Chief Operating Officer / General CounselEducation: BS Accounting - University of Illinois 1990 JD - University of Florida College of Law 1993Civic involvement: Chamber of CommerceElected offices held: 3rd Ward Alderman - St. CharlesQuestions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?My legal and real estate development background has allowed me to provide valuable input to the City in a variety of areas (Quad redevelopment, 1st Street, etc). I also have experience running a large organization (Draper and Kramer, Incorporated), which provides expertise in finance, HR and union issues.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.While you always prefer that taxes be lower, I feel the City has done a tremendous job of holding the levy constant while weathering the great recession.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?Our police and fire departments are second to none. We have outstanding leaders in place that are always forward thinking toward the future.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?I believe the City Council needs to decide what its role is with respect to the financial aspects of civic activities. I am not advocating "trimming" per se, but we need to decide on a budget for this area and stick to it as additional requests come in throughout the course of the year.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?I think neighbors need to talk more. As issues have come up, I have always encouraged disagreeing parties to meet and discuss their positions.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?I am very interested in economic development. The City Council just approved an incentive program for real estate improvements by local businesses. We need to continue to explore and evaluate programs like this with the goal of encouraging commerce within our community.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.The Chairman of Draper and Kramer. At 87, he has still has tremendous energy and worked with Bobby Kennedy for civil rights in the 60s.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Nothing is more important than family and community.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would not change a thing.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?I always liked math, which helped with my accounting degree.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?My two sons are very close. They should cherish and preserve that relationship.