Tom Rooney: 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: Rolling MeadowsWebsite: none at this timeOffice sought: Rolling Meadows Mayor Age: 46Family: 2 sons, widowed 10 years ago, remarried last summer, wife has two sonsOccupation: High school teacherEducation: B.A. History -- Loyola University M.P.A. -- Northern Illinois UniversityCivic involvement: WINGS Leadership Board Secretary, Northwest Municipal ConfereceElected offices held: Alderman, 4th Ward, Rolling Meadows, 2000-2009Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?Candidate did not respond.How would you describe the condition of your community's budget, and what are the most important specific actions the town should take to assure providing the level of services that people want?Both Standard and Poor's and Moody's have upgraded Rolling Meadows bond rating in the last 18 months. I believe that's a solid sign that our budget is in good condition and that we're managing the dollars well for our residents.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?Having led the budget process for the last four years, it would be hypocritical of me to argue that various cuts are needed -- if so, I should have proposed them by now. We have significantly trimmed back our staff raises from 4% per year to 4% over four years, and I helped defeat an effort to raise the City Council's salaries. So, I believe that significant trimming has already occurred. We should, however, be spending more money on our local roads. As our finances become healthier, I believe residents will see more money being spent our roads.Describe your leadership style and explain how you think that will be effective in producing effective actions and decisions with your village board or city council.As an amateur parliamentarian, I run a good ship when it comes to Council meetings. I let the Council make up it's own mind without lobbying behind the scenes for votes, and I speak up clearly when I believe the Council should take a specific direction. I believe that style of leadership shows respect for individual council members without reducing myself to a mere figurehead.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?I failed in my effort to convince the Council that a two-year budget cycle would be preferable to a one-year cycle. When the conditions seem right, I hope to pitch the idea again before leave the mayor's chair four years from now.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?While a city is fairly limited (and rightfully so) about how it can encourage economic development, it is the single biggest thing that residents talk about. Therefore, making some economic development strides, especially in our most underdeveloped areas, is a big issue for all of us on the Council.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Alan Simpson -- While I don't always agree with his positions, he "speaks truth to power," even to those in power on his own side.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Candidate did not respond.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I'd go back to college and spend my time more wisely than I did.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?My favorite subject was history, and that turned out be my doorway to economics.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Never forget that people matter more than ideas, opinions, and things.