toby koth: 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: hampshireWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Hampshire Village Board Age: 55Family: Married for 34 years 4 children ranging from 31 to 19. Three of my children graduated from Hampshire high school.Occupation: recently retiredEducation: national labor college ongoing education yearly for twelve yearsCivic involvement: Hampshire little league baseball 10 years- Hampshire coon creek- recording secretary. In Elgin where I worked - boys and girls club, community crisis center, united way construction committee.Elected offices held: Vice President, Recording Secretary, Secretary Treasurer, President Business Manager. Trustee on Insurance Board and Pension Board, Trustee on Training Center Board.President of Elgin Trades CouncilQuestions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?Bringing to the Village Board Thirty years of construction in Municipalities, including sewer and water both repair and replacement. All phases of concrete, both new and rehab. Asphalt pavement removal and replacement. Building New subdivisions. New and rehab utility replacement.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.it appears we are in the middle of surrounding towns.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 feel we have great coverage of both Police and Fire at this time and we have in place solid leaders of both departments. Some of the existing housing projects that have been under construction in other areas are nearing completion. These housing developers will once again be looking at our area for growth we will need additional fire and police staff as this happens. It will be the boards responsibility to keep an eye on this and be proactive not reactive. The board need to revisit the comprehensive plan more often. I also feel with the current administration of District 300 they have the people in place for a great future of our students.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?This is an ever changing target. If you take away from one sector to give to another it will adversely affect another department. The budgets need to be visited regularly and purchases need to be approved by the board within the budgets of each department with a maximum set on expenditures without board approval as to not hamper the departments ability to complete the work.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?Having the Village subscribe to Nixle. This program allows Public safety and schools to communicate through texting village residents any warnings or issues like Non Amber alerts of a missing child. I believe this program would make police, fire,Schools, and the village more on top of issues that concern safety.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?I feel from what i'm hearing is that we are just getting by financially. Does the police department, public works have the proper equipment to complete their jobs efficiently and cost effective. planning for the future, again growth continues to head west and our town needs to be proactive and not reactive.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Robert Gilliam who just passed away. Bob was on the Elgin City Council for 40 years worked for whats best for the citizens.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Work ethic. Always give it your best and listen with your ears not your mouth.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Giving my youngest son a completely normal heart. He has endured more in his 18 years than anyone I know. He is an inspiration.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?A current world affair. You got the current days newspaper and read for 45 minutes then took a daily quiz. It was a eye openerIf you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Make no deals or promises you cant keep.