W. Thoreson "Thor" Saline: 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: WheatonWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Twitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Wheaton City Council East District Age: 52Family: Elizabeth S. Saline, wifeErik T. Saline, sonBenjamin P. Saline, sonOccupation: Program Manager, Dept. of Probation Court ServicesEducation: M.Div, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Deerfield, ILBA University of Georgia, AthensCivic involvement: City of Wheaton, Councilman, East DistrictDuPage County's Community Development Commission, City of Wheaton Representative Illinois Society for the Prevention of Blindness, Board MemberDowntown Wheaton Association, Board MemberElected offices held: City of Wheaton, CouncilmanQuestions Answers What downtown improvement projects do you think need to be a priority and why? Is there work you want to eliminate?Downtown is a wonderful destination. I prioritize downtown improvements in the following order: infastructure, streets, sidewalks, parking, lighting and trees. Our storm water and sewer services need updating.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.The City's sales tax is line with surrounding communities and as a result it's level is a non-factor in consumer behavior. However, I would like room evaluate what impact a lower sales tax would have on attracting retailers into our vacancies. Would a lower sales tax be a consideration for a car dealership to open in Wheaton? We might be able to increase sales tax revenue by lowering the sales tax rate.Regarding property tax: I believe the City's current property tax is sufficient to maintain our level of services. A level, by the way, that our residents rated very high in satisfaction on the most recent city survey.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?I have witnessed our Chief of Police and Fire Chief make decisions based on the commitment to protect residents. They each allocate resources, purchase equipment, hire staff and organize departments with the focus of dispatching competent and well equipped officers as fast as possible. Also, they are aligned with other agencies in an effort to scale up disaster resources. I am confident our departments are prepared for the next decade to serve Wheaton.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?Doing more, with less, and faster was the reality for every company coming out of 2008. Personnel is a large part of the budget and today's number of staff remains lower than 2007. I am interested to see how staff managed over-time pay this past year. I know public works implemented a new plowing technique that saved nearly 150 hours of driving time in one snow event. I would like to increase funding to our streets (surface and lining).What is one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?Residents provide many ideas and our staff have a list of good ideas. So, I hesitate in claiming any one as original to me. I believe lower speed limits and enforcement in certain areas would better our community.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Candidate did not respond.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.I have the pleasure of knowing Evelyn Sanguinetti as a neighbor and friend. She is authentic, bright and encouraging.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Candidate did not respond.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Candidate did not respond.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?The synoptic gospels with Dr. Grant Osborn. Studying the life of Jesus helps me focus on living in the liberty he secured by his resurrection.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Be humble and kind.