Janice Sauer: Candidate Profile
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: North BarringtonWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: North Barrington Village BoardAge: 61Family: Husband- Bruce Sauer, married 38 years Son- Nick Sauer, 32 Son- Adam Sauer, 26Occupation: Partner in Scarsdale Marketing, sales and design company. Property Manager of Vacation Rentals.Education: Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology/Business from Northwestern UniversityCivic involvement: Village Trustee, Village of North Barrington Volunteer for Citizens for Conservation Past Three Term President of Barrington High School Fine Arts Booster Board Past President of Barrington Swim Team Boosters Past Vice-President of Roslyn Road Elementary School PTO Past President of P.E.O. Chapter, a philanthropic organization for the education and advancement of women Former Boy Scout Troop Den Leader Former Membership Chairperson for Barrington United Methodist ChurchElected offices held: Village Trustee, Village of North BarringtonQuestions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?As a wife and mother, former banker, community volunteer and small business owner, I have a unique set of experiences and skills that have qualified me to serve on the North Barrington Village Board. Since being appointed to the village board in 2013, I have advocated for the interests of our entire village, while serving as the only trustee from one of the community's largest neighborhoods. My neighborhood within North Barrington makes up 40% of the village population and is responsible for over 50% of the village's property tax revenue. I was appointed trustee to ensure that the village board represents the entire community. My election will maintain that necessary balance. As a business professional and former banker, I realize the importance of customer service, cooperation, efficiency, sound budgeting and responsible leadership. I have incorporated these skills into my role as a village trustee. I have met with homeowners on their property to address drainage concerns, examined road improvements firsthand and scrutinized expenditures to ensure taxpayers receive the best value for their money. My professional experience and community involvement make me uniquely prepared for a full term on the North Barrington Village Board. I look forward to continuing my service as an accessible trustee helping North Barrington remain a great place to live, explore and raise a family.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.North Barrington is a bedroom community with a beautiful natural environment, home to two wonderful community golf courses and only a handful of businesses. The majority of our village revenue is derived from property taxes, a small amount comes from state assistance and a very limited amount is obtained from our few commercial establishments. The Village of North Barrington receives approximately 3.3% of homeowner's property taxes. We have diversified our revenue streams to minimize the need for additional property tax revenue by advocating for the protection of state motor fuel taxes and encouraging businesses to locate in our only commercial space at the Wynstone Office Park. The village keeps overhead low, contracts out necessary road improvements and partners with other communities to receive efficient pricing, thus minimizing the need for additional tax dollars. North Barrington also maintains solid financial reserves and a strong bond rating. The village wisely collects only what is necessary. Our revenues meet the needs of the community.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?The Village of North Barrington contracts for police services with the Lake County Sheriff's department. We do not have our own police department. This past year the community once again jointly contracted with the Village of Lake Barrington for Sheriff's patrol coverage, receiving a dedicated deputy who patrols our neighborhoods and monitors the area. The village's fire protection services come from the Lake Zurich Rural Fire Department and the Wauconda Fire Department. Which agency responds to the emergency is based on the boundary of the fire protection district. North Barrington falls into two districts. Our community does not have it's own stand-alone fire department. I am very satisfied with the coverage we receive from both the Lake County Sheriff and Lake Zurich/Wauconda Fire Departments. I believe our residents feel safe and protected in North Barrington.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?Historically the village pays to print, sort and send a quarterly newsletter via the US Postal Service to each village resident. This hardcopy newsletter has been incredibly useful for informing residents about upcoming events, well water testing, village improvements and necessary community updates. As the price of postage has increased and electronic communication has become the norm, I believe we can reduce and remove paper communication and embrace a more regular, perhaps monthly, email newsletters to our residents. A variety of email communication platforms exist that could meet our needs and would reduce our administrative budget. Our overall budget is lean but effective. I believe we allocate an appropriate amount to all areas of our budget. I do not believe we need to add more expenses or increase spending in any specific area.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?I believe we need to embrace technology and a more efficient and effective way to communicate with the community. As I mentioned previously, the village budget includes funds to send paper copy newsletters to each home in North Barrington. I believe the village should create an email newsletter that could be sent electronically once a month. This regular email can include community news, board meeting updates, upcoming events, related links and ways to connect with village leaders. An email form of communication would reduce costs and inform residents more regularly. I believe more communication and information will lead to increased involvement and participation within the village. Having better informed citizens can help our board address local topics and lead to increased participation in government.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Many residents of North Barrington moved to the area to enjoy the beauty of our open spaces and the environment. Our area is made up of wetlands, swamps, marshes, bogs, lakes, and creeks. These special environmental features are home to a variety of animals and birds, but also assist with drainage and help recharge our aquifers. The entire North Barrington community is reliant on either private or community wells which are drawn from aquifers. I strongly believe in the promotion and preservation of aquifer and groundwater recharge areas because they provide our community with water and necessary drainage. I believe in protecting wetlands, basins, floodplains, and drainage ways so that their natural functions of carrying and storing water are maintained. Community education and understanding of where our water comes from and where it goes can help us to protect this resource and to work with other villages and regional governments to ensure water supply and drainage ways are maintained for generations to come.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?My mother and dad taught me to be frugal and work hard. I have tried to live by that example my entire life.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Both of my parents are deceased. I would love to have had more days with them.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?I enjoyed economics in school. It has helped me in business management and even family budgeting.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?I have always told my boys that God gave them two ears and one mouth for a reason.