David Whitney: 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: Rolling MeadowsWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Twitter: @davewhitneyrmFacebook: @dave.whitney.9277Office sought: Rolling Meadows Mayor Age: 64Family: I have been married to my wife, Sally, for 41 years, have two adult sons, and 4 grandchildrenOccupation: Manager Telecom Expense Management, US CellularEducation: Northwestern University and numerous technical and project management training programs.Civic involvement: I have served on the Zoning Board for 18 years and currently chair it. I am member of Crimestoppers, the Community Events Foundation, and Treasurer and Past President of Plum Tree Homeowners Association. I spent 15 years coaching baseball, basketball and soccer. I served as a Board Member and League President for Rolling Meadows Youth Baseball. I served 10 years as a leader in Rolling Meadows Emergency Services and Disaster Agency and the CERT Program. I have done volunteer work with the police including prisoner watch and handicap parking patrol. I attended Citizen's Police, Fire, and Public Works AcademiesElected offices held: Zoning Board Chairman(Appointed)Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I believe I have some distinct advantages over the other two candidates. I have a business and consulting background with technology and financial experience. I currently work for a technology company where I manage a nine-figure budget. I have led large teams that have consistently met and exceeded cost reduction goals while improving process and increasing customer satisfaction. I have a long track record of accomplishments.In addition to my work experience, I have extensive background leading boards. I currently chair the Zoning Board. I was on the executive board of Rolling Meadows Youth baseball for 8 years serving as President for four years. I currently am Treasurer of my homeowner's association where I recently stepped down from President. I served as President for three years. During many years of volunteering, I have done work with Community Development, the Park District, Police, Fire, and Public Works. I have attended the Citizen's Police, Fire, and Public Works Academies in addition to my volunteer work. I have first-hand knowledge of how the city works. While my opponents might point to their experience as Aldermen is an advantage for them, new faces and new ideas may be exactly what is needed to rejuvenate the Council.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.Taxes are definitely too high. However, until we can resolve pension funding I do not see decreases any time soon.What should be done with the long-vacant Dominick's site?The Dominick's site has been an issue for quite some time. The odds of the entire site becoming retail are small. Because of the way South Bay was handled, getting someone to come in and invest the amount of money that they did in creating a plan that would require a zoning change, will be limited. The City Staff, City Council, Plan Commission, and the Economic Development Committee need to be unified in what will be accepted for the site. It would be easier to market the site if there is awareness ahead of time of what would be acceptable, especially if zoning changes are required.At this point, I support pursuing retail for the site. Now that the structure has been demolished, it might be easier for a potential business to come in and have a better vision of what the property could be.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?The city staff has done an excellent job of reducing the budget over the past several years. Any future cuts would have to look at some areas that will require some difficult decisions. Road repair and reconstruction is an area that could use more funding, but it may be an area that would have to be reduced if it became necessary. Salaries, pensions, and benefits are a major expense category, but much of this expense is controlled by contracts. Capital Budget would be another area to look at, but that has been pared down as well.Do you support the fire department's plan to replace Fire Station 15 with a new station to the south, and Fire Station 16 with a new station to the east?In my time with the Emergency Services and Disaster Agency, I have spent time in both stations. Fire Station 15 is badly in need of repair. The functionality of the two-story set up is not ideal as firemen must rush down a very long and steep stairway to get to the vehicles when a call comes in. Station 16 is in good condition with much of the interior being renovated within the last 10 years. I support the rebuilding of Station 15 in a new spot further Southeast. Rebuilding Station 15 in the existing spot would be difficult as temporary quarters would need to be acquired and the cost of outfitting the temporary property would be expensive. Unless the current estimate of $9 million for moving both stations could be significantly reduced, moving Station 16 is a luxury that is difficult to cost justify. While moving two stations is what is considered optimal for service, there are compromises that could be worked through to improve response time while reducing the financial impact of building two new stations.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?A key to generating more revenue is the Sam's Club site. The same level of effort that is going into the Dominick's site needs to go into getting this location occupied.We need to fill vacancies that exist on our committees and boards. There are many areas of the community that are unrepresented.The Public Works building on Central is another facility that has some major issues. Rebuilding this is something that may need to move up the priority list.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Bill Gates is a very inpiring leader. He is not your typical billionaire. He sets a great example on how to give back.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?I learned the value of a dollar and how to save money.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I stayed at a job too long when I was not learning anything. I should have left sooner.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?My favorite class in high school was a math class that introduced me to computers. That ended up being my career choice.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Treat everyone like you want to be treated.