Tom Wilbeck: 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: Barrington HillsWebsite: TomWilbeck.comTwitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: McHenry County Board District 1 Age: 66Family: Sharon - wifeThomas II - sonLindsay - daughterCorrie - daughterNatalie - daughterOccupation: Financial Services - retiredEducation: B.S. AccountancyNorthern Illinois UniversityCivic involvement: - Seneca Township Planning CommissionElected offices held: - Seneca Township Trustee- McHenry County College TrusteeQuestions Answers There were significant voting problems in the March primary. Are you confident sufficient steps have been taken to avoid a repeat in November? What role, if any, should the county board have in such matters?The County Clerk has stated that the issues have been addressed and remedied.The County Clerk is an elected official and does not report to the County Board. The Board can request an accounting from the Clerk.Why are you running for this office, whether for re-election or election for the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you? If so, what?To serve the public as a taxpayer watchdog while bringing a fresh, practical and common sense approach to make needed changes. "Business as usual" is no longer acceptable. People want change, and I will deliver.Describe your position regarding the balance between county spending and revenues as it exists today, then describe the chief threats you see looming in the future and how the county should deal with them.McHenry County operates under a balanced budget and possesses an excellent bond rating. The Board has permitted units such as the Valley Hi nursing facility to accumulate an extraordinarily large surplus of tax payers funds. Estimates are in excess of $40 mil. All budget line items need scrutiny, top to bottom.People are leaving the county. The perceived "boom times" are over. A new fresh look at future needs is warranted and all previous programs need to be reviewed for necessity. We cannot accept the status quo.How do you rate the county government on transparency and the public's access to records? If you consider it adequate, please explain why. If you think improvements are needed, please describe them and why they are important.Transparency needs to be improved.Board meetings should be televised, archived and made available via webcast. I initiated such an ongoing program as soon as I took office as a trustee at McHenry County College. This video service remains today and the cost to provide this public transparency service is minimal.Please list any elected office you've ever run for and what the result of that election was. Have you ever been appointed to fill an unexpired term?- Ran unsuccessfully for District 200 Board. - Appointed as Seneca Township Trustee in 2001 and subsequently was elected to the same post.- 2012 ran unsuccessfully for McHenry County Board Dist 2- 2013 ran successfully for McHenry County College TrusteeWhat other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?A true taxpayer watch dog that asks tough questions and makes tough decisions is greatly needed. New, fresh, practical, common sense ideas are needed. The status quo/operating as usual is not always most beneficial. We need a collaborative - "think outside the box" style of leadership. I will deliver that type of leadership.The County Board needs to increase the use of shared inter county positions and services to enhance efficiencies and in turn save money.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Paul Ryan.He is intelligent, possesses common sense and represents his constituents with a collaborative fiscal common sense. He is a no nonsense leader.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?That you must always practice The Golden Rule....."Do unto others as you would have others do unto you"If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Make more time to travel, meet new people and experience diverse cultures.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?AccountingIt taught discipline, logic, and analytics.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Live by The Golden Rule.