Lawrence (Larry) Rosenthal: Candidate Profile

Back to Prospect Heights City Council Ward 2

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: www.tka-us.comOffice sought: Prospect Heights City Council Ward 2 Age: 76Family: I am married to Ina B. Rosenthal 53 years. We have two sons, Keith and Scott and two daughter-in- laws, Susan and Maureen. We have three grandchildren named Adam, Iris and Evan. I have one sister, and Ina has one brother.Occupation: Retired - Consultant to Not for profit organizationsEducation: I hold a Bachelor's degree from DePaul University, two Masters degrees one from De Paul and the other from Roosevelt University. I also hold a Doctorate from Northern Illinois University. In addition to my academic credentials I have had successful career experience as a 28 year association executive and over 10 years successful and effective results as a consultant to various associations and foundations. I have received various awards and recognition of my professional accomplishments.Civic involvement: I served two terms on the Rob Roy Condo Board. I served as Treasurer of the Association during my service on the Board. Prior to moving to Prospect Heights, my wife and I lived in Skokie. I was elected to the school board for two terms. During my second term I was elected as President of the school board. I chose to retire after two terms. I am a believer in term limits for myself and all office holders.Elected offices held: Treasurer, Rob Roy Condo Association Member of Rob Roy Finance Committee Served six years (two terms) on the Skokie District 73 1/2 School Board. Three of the years I served as President of the School Board.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I have the right experience for the job. I know how governance units such as the City operate. I am keenly aware that a significant part of the ward perceives themselves to be under represented or not represented at all. I want to change that. I am goal oriented and future looking and thinking. My core competence has been described as having the ability to review and observe what appear to be unrelated and possibly conflicting situations and be able to see common ground where none is apparent and thus bring solutions and strategies to such situations. My experiences both academically, professionally and from my own life situations have prepared me for this position. I want to serve all of the neighborhoods of Ward 2.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.The question of whether or not the property or sales tax level is appropriate or not is not where one should start a review and analysis. I would start with what are potential opportunities that exist by which revenues for Prospect Heights can be increased by means other than raising taxes. I believe that bringing new business and development to Prospect Heights can increase revenues without increasing the tax burden on our residents. Further additional sources of revenue may exist through grants and such which may yet have not tapped.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 have had direct personal experience in relating to our police and fire departments. I find them to be professional, having a sincere concern for our community and having a deep commitment to their responsibilities. They appear to have a great amount of empathy for the senior citizens of our community. They are what we need in Ward 2.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?Being able to provide an objective answer to this question requires having good data and information as well as an overall plan that is prioritized by the Council with community input and recommendation. Further there needs to be in place an objective evaluation of the effectiveness of existing programs to determine their effectiveness and efficiencies and where they may be in the priority ranking. I would have to have such data and information before I would recommend any actions as the question suggests.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?I believe that a significant reservoir of human talent and experience exists in Ward 2, and possibly in the other wards as well. In many instances these people may be willing to be a volunteer if they are asked to perform a specific volunteer service to the ward or the City. These people need to be asked. It has been my experience that one cannot expect people to volunteer without knowledge of what their obligations and duties would be. But when asked and given specific focus they are willing to step forward. The limited resources of the City and the limited staff we have might be able to be augmented with these volunteers. Further, if successful such an effort could build and strengthen trust and confidence and build greater awareness between the paid staff and residents. Such a result could be a greater cooperative effort leading to future progress and growth for the entire community.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?1. I want to work with the Mayor and the rest of the Council to secure implementation of the City's recently completed Strategic Plan. 2. I want to encourage and promote greater transparency of the City's business and activities for the benefit of the Ward 2 community. 3. I want to make sure that the future financial status of the City remains vital and viable as I describe above.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.I would pick the Prime Minister of Australia and perhaps the Mayor of Chicago. A historic leader would be Abraham Lincoln.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Be truthful and responsible with all you do and be confident in yourselfIf life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?There are probably a number of small things I might do over. However, with the big things I would not change any of them.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?In college it would have been History and Political Science. At the Graduate and Adult Levels it was Information Systems (current name).If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Be happy and enjoy what you do. Respect others as you would want them to respect you.