George Duberstein: 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: HainesvilleWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Hainesville Village BoardAge: 75Family: Wife, 5 children 7 grandchildrenOccupation: Retired US Army Officer and decorated Vietnam vet, former business owner, current professional actorEducation: B.S., Language Literature, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1962) Master of Military Arts Sciences, US Army Command General Staff College (1973)Civic involvement: Hainesville Projects: Co-wrote successful 100-page bid package for 5-year plan to restore federally protected wetlands of Cranberry Lake saving the Village the $30,000 it would have cost if done by an outside firm. Chair annual Village-wide clean up. Volunteers at annual Hainsville Fests Co-chair a clean up beautification of subdivision entrance medians. Supports activities of Great Age seniors club. Provides rides to seniors and disabled residents who don't have transportation. Has attended practically every Village board meeting and various committee meetings since moving to Hainesville in 2002. Can hit the ground running.Elected offices held: Elected official to current SAG-AFTRA Board, Chicago, IL. Elected official to former SAG Board, Chicago, IL. Elected official to former AFTRA Board, Chicago, IL. Elected Chicago representative to two AFTRA National Conventions. Elected Vice President and Secretary,of governing Board of 501(c)3 community outreach and education organization in Lake County, IL. Secretary,Water Board, Woodland Park, Colorado. Member, Citizens Advisory Committee for City Park Projects, Colorado Springs, Colorado.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?Experience gained in almost 27 years as a US Army officer, as a co-owner of a successful money-saving service business, as both an elected official and a volunteer in a variety of community organizations throughout the country, from my travels around the globe, in addition to attendance at almost all Hainesville Village Board and a variety of committee meetings since 2002 gives me a unique expertise in personnel management and human relations, financial and contract management, and knowledge of Village issues that can only enhance Board effectiveness.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.Combined with the other streams of income, the property and sales tax revenue received by the Village seem adequate to meet its current financial needs. The approximate $35 per month Hainesville portion of my real estate taxes is a bargain for the services received. The amount of sales tax revenue received should increase as the economy improves and the vacant spaces and undeveloped land are filled. Conversely, with the state's financial woes, the potential decrease in the money the state gives to municipalities may require a re-evaluation of the Village's budget.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 obtains its police services through a contract with the Village of Grayslake and its fire protection from both the Grayslake and Round Lake Fire Protection Districts. All currently provide excellent service to Hainesville. The Grayslake Police Department continues to upgrade its computer system and its training and the Grayslake Fire Protection District benefits from a recently passed referendum to finance an upgrade to equipment and services. This should help them cope with the challenges of the next decade. The major public safety concern is the erratic behavior of drunk drivers on Hainesville Road which has twice recently lead to serious off-road incidents relative to the townhomes on both sides of the road. The Village is currently working with Lake County DOT on barriers to remedy this situation. Lowering the speed limit might also help.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?One area that could result in budget trimming could be a re-evaluation of various contract services provided to the Village. This might be accomplished by either re-negotiating the contracts, or opening them up for re-bid as appropriate. The Village is currently operating on a zero- based budgeting system so that each year every staff section and committee must justify every line item in their budget requests. This process should continue. There may be a need to allocate more funds to the clearing of debris from the various ponds' inlets and outlets to prevent flooding of residents' homes.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?One idea might be the Village working with our three townhome associations to consolidate contracts for services such as garbage collection and recycling to achieve economies of scale. This idea could be expanded to include neighboring villages where possible.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?It's important, I feel, to expand restoration of the wetlands and open spaces in the entire village, not only for beautification and property value enhancement, but for plant control to insure the inlets and outlets of the storm water control system remain clear to prevent flooding and residential damage.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Georgeann Duberstein, a Hainesville Village trustee, is dynamic, innovative, dedicated, selfless and service oriented. Her efforts support seniors, students and the disabled throughout Lake County.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?I learned to be of service as evidenced by my military career, my helpful business, and my volunteerism in every place that I have lived.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I'm satisfied with the life I lived, the places I've been and the people I've been fortunate to have met.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?I liked music and drama and it helped me focus on my current career as a professional actor.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?I'd tell my children, if possible, determine what you like to do and make that your career.