Rob Whaley: Candidate Profile

Back to Hampshire Village Board

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: HampshireWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Hampshire Village Board Age: 49Family: Wife Kristin Whaley, 4 childrenOccupation: Business ConsultantEducation: B.S. Purdue University MBA - North Central CollegeCivic involvement: St Charles Borromeo Parish Member St Charles Borromeo Church Finance Council Chairman 8th Grade Boys Basketball Coach - St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School Elgin Moose LodgeElected offices held: Prior Hampshire Township Park District Board Member and PresidentQuestions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I have four years experience in this role in which I have led the finance committee. In these past four years, we have had balanced budgets. We have reduced many recurring expenses such as insurance premiums, interest rate on debts, and costs for some village services. We have increased our revenues by attracting new businesses to our community. I bring a business accumen to the board which provides a nice balance with the strengths of our other board members.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.Our locals sales and property taxes are consistent with communities of our type and size.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 force is very well run and efficient. We are currently on boarding a few new officers to better balance our work load. Our fire coverage seems efficient and appropriate. We have great relations with our police and fire department and meet regularly on public safety opportunities and improvements for the future.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?We consistently review our budget for opportunities to prioritize and optimize our spend. Road and sidewalk improvements are challenging for us as well as water and sewer infrastructure maintenance. We have a great staff that is cost conscience and efficiency minded and they keep our board well apprised of economic issues and opportunities.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?My ideas are not special. We are focused on execution of current plans, controlling our costs, and trying to attract the appropriate new businesses to our community. We have alot of development in play that is in different stages of litigation and expansion. Moving the ball forward on these opportunities is key to our long term strategy.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?I want to ensure I keep listening to and considering the inputs of all our stakeholders in the community and striking the right balance that keeps our community prosperous and healthy for the future.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Recently I attended a Leadercast sponsored event in Chicago. I am inspired by this organization who believes that the world needs better leaders.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Do not be afraid to fail. Try new things. You have the tools you neeed to succeed within you.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I have been very fortunate in life and am most appreciative. I have no regrets and would not change a thing.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Finance and Economics are my favorite subjects. They have helped my be succesful in work and with the Village of Hampshire.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Never stop learning.