Carl Fischer: 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: BataviaWebsite: www.CarlRFischer.comOffice sought: Batavia City Council Ward 1 Age: Candidate did not respond.Family: Wife of over 17 years, 3 boys - 17, 15 and 12Occupation: VP of Relationship Management, The Allant GroupEducation: BA Marketing Communication Certification in negotiation, selling and presentation skills by Zehren FriedmanCivic involvement: Volunteer for the Batavia Food Pantry, trail clean up, political and non-political fundraising for the community, currently serving as the First Ward AldermanElected offices held: Co-chair of The Cheyenne Project, a fundraiser for a local family who's daughter has osteosarcoma.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I lead with strength, I listen with vigor and I learn with intent. I am driven to bring economic growth and development to Batavia. Development with a purpose and long term value that builds upon itself year after year. I have been a part of many companies who have created a vision and successfully developed positive growth, profit and a great place to work - and I can do the same cooperatively with Batavia. I have volunteered across Batavia to support community events and almost every sport available, which has allowed me to gain the respect of the citizens. I am recognized as a leader with passion, vision and objectiveness to react appropriately and make sure to always look at things from every available angle. I am of and for the people.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.Comparatively, Batavia's taxes are at what I would consider an acceptable rate. Do we all want lower, yes... but we always need improvement. We are quite a bit lower than the surrounding municipalities, which is good while we are still recovering from the 2008 economic downturn, but we are facing some big upcoming needs in our town... like our dam, needing another bridge and other economic development.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 efficiency of our town's police and fire is self-evident as they have won awards and have been asked to lead committees outside our city limits and across multiple municipalities. I am consistently impressed with the men and woman who serve our city. However, this is a hot spot for me - as Batavia is missing some key positions, most importantly right now, we need a Fire Marshal. This is a role that we should no longer be without... this is the role that helps prevent fires. I am a strong advocate for the support of our safety and security first and foremost.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?As mentioned in my previous comments specific to police and fire, we should make sure to allocate appropriate funding to provide a highly qualified staff that can protect and serve our community. With that said, many of the other items within our budget are very well kept, balanced and forecasted by the staff. I am very impressed and confident that we are savvy, as well as strategic in our spending and budgeting. Coming from multiple small and medium sized companies, I can genuinely say I am happy to have someone like Peggy Colby directing our finances.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?I am seeking more of a corporate approach to how I and the council help contribute to the management of this great city of Batavia. To do that we need a solid road map (1, 3 and 5 year outlook), qualified, organized and disciplined leaders on staff and a vision of keeping our citizens safe as well as helping it grow. So although it may sound simple, I am looking for an itemized short and long term road map or plan by category. This would include how we enter topics into discussion, escalate some and deny others based on our vision and plan. We have to stop reacting and be more proactive. Efficiency is lacking in the topics we think are necessary to move this city forward. The process in which we include the public also needs to be reviewed and improved. I would also include the need for a marketing arm to our staff that would help spark interest in the business community to help attract new businesses, improve economic development and draw more people to our city.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Build a consistent, singular and strong brand to make it easier for the citizens within and outside the city limits to understand what we stand for, what we believe in, what our mission is and why we're trying to be better everyday. Work closely with businesses and partners in and around our community to help foster ideas and strategies to improve this great city.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.I don't have just one, I take a lot from multiple, like Nick Vujicic, Sean Swarner, Richard Branson, Liz Murray and moreWhat's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?The "Be Rules"... Be Strong, Be Fair, Be Kind, Be Forgiving, Be Honest, Be Challenged, Be Ready, Be Curious and Be ImprovingIf life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Taking more pictures to capture how great I have it with my wife, my children, my family and my friendsWhat was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?I always liked communications and debate, which allowed me to exceed in the Marketing and Advertising industry, as well as "pick up" my wifeIf you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Life is short - don't waste one minute of it, because as Walter Payton once said - tomorrow is promised to no one!