R. Scott Williamson: Candidate Profile

Back to Prospect Heights City Council Ward 3

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: Prospect HeightsWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Prospect Heights City Council Ward 3 Age: 41Family: Liz Williamson - wife Jake Williamson - Son Anthony Williamson - SonOccupation: Sales / EngineerEducation: Michigan State UniversityCivic involvement: Youth Baseball, Football, Soccer Coach for the past 6 years going on 7 3rd Ward Alderman from 2011 to present. Always there to lend a hand to my family, friends and neighbors.Elected offices held: 3rd Ward AldermanQuestions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?Over the past 4 years I have been fortunate enough to be part of a very strong team. With that team I have been able to restore the city to the back to a solid foundation as well as a stable and growing financial position. The experience that I have gained over the past 4 years has provided me with the knowledge to understand our system of government, to work with the council to achieve a common goal and advance our community to the next level.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 believe that current sales and property tax levels are just right. The city is currently running a a slight surplus and we have been able to establish a viable 5 year capital expenditure program that has not existed in years past. Additional tax revenue should be gained through economic development at the current sales tax rate.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 am not too familiar with the state of the Fire department. The fire department is it's own district and not governed by the city. Consequently I do not know how prepared they are for the decade to come. As a resident I feel that they do a terrific job. I believe that the Police department is one of our greatest strengths. They have very strong leadership, a strong support structure, smart officers and excellent recruitment. The department is in a strong financial position and is the most technologically advanced facet of the city. In addition to the performing the standard day to day operations the police department has made a concerted effort to reach out to the community to bring the police and the community closer together. The future of the police department is very bright and I have no present concerns for the department and feel comfortable with the direction for the decade to come.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?I believe that the current budget is very well appropriated. It is positioned to pay our obligations, build up our reserves and allow for capital improvements for the foreseeable future. If I were to identify an area of the budget that could use a bit more funding I would suggest the Public Works Department. I believe that they could use some additional help and equipment. I also believe that we could provide additional funding for code enforcement and property maintenance enforcement. This would be money well spent to clean up our community and raise our property values.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?I would like to see revisions, enhancements and upgrades to the city property maintenance codes. The codes are vague, dated and unenforceable. Code enhancements would provide the ability to better enforce property maintenance on both businesses and residents which in turn would generate increased property values. A cleaner environment and higher property value will directly translate to added interest in our community and stable economic development.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?It is important to me that the city budget remain fiscally viable and that the funds that have been implemented for future capital improvements be maintained. I would hate to see the newly established funds be "borrowed" from to fund other pet projects. It is too important to us as residents that the savings plans for roads, property, equipment, etc be maintained to minimize the financial impact on us the residents.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Scott Walker - Governor of WisconsinWhat's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?I come from a big family. "It takes Teamwork to make the Dream work." Working together we can accomplish more than standing alone.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I haven't had any regrets big enough to warrant doing over yet.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Sciences - I enjoy knowing how things work and they have provided me with the knowledge to understand the products used in my businessIf you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Do what you love and love what you do.