Mike Strick: 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: NapervilleWebsite: mikestrick.orgTwitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Mike Strick for City CouncilOffice sought: Naperville City Council Age: 55Family: I have been married close to 30 years . We have three children, Chad who is an electrical engineer, Madeline who graduated from Illinois and is studying to be a Physicians assistant, and Ryan who plays division 3 football for UWSP. Misty is our wired hair fox terrier.Occupation: Naperville business owner since 1998Education: B.S. Biological Sciences NIU40cfr RECRA trained Hazardous Materials Certified.Civic involvement: Since moving to Naperville I have been involved with:NYFL Naperville Youth Football League for 10 years. Board of directors 2 yearsThe Naperville YMCA 5 years.The Wheatland Salem Church since church was located at Routs 59 and 95th Street. I was Candidate/nominee for Illinois Representative for the 84th District covering Naperville,Aurora,Oswego,Montgomery. I've been a Naperville precinct committeemen since 2008.Member of Sigma Pi Alumni AssociationMember of AOCA automobile oil change associationOwner of Oil Zone since 1994Elected offices held: Wheatland Township Precinct CommitteemenQuestions Answers What should be the city's role in promoting availability of housing for people of all ages and income levels in Naperville? What should be more important in making decisions about proposed housing developments -- the opinions of neighbors or the housing needs of the community as a whole? Why?Fair and equitable housing should be a concern for many families in the Naperville area. Many elderly residents on fixed income view their tax bill as the number one issue. As I knocked on the doors of many of these residents their frustrations were evident. They indicated that they have NO children in the pubic schools and yet have a tax burden to pay for them. Many indicated they want to be close to their families and want to stay close, but many are considering leaving Illinois with their families. Taxes should be equitable with income. Many of the housing developments being proposed cater to senior living with occupancy for people over 55. However, many multi family units are coming on line which do not have age restrictions. These developments will place added costs for the school districts at a cost of $10k to $14k per child. The city needs to way those additional costs for development. We need to attract more businesses like manufacturing or light industrial.How should the city prepare and pay for major expenses in its public utilities such as water, wastewater and electric service? How can this be done within the current financial principles of passing structurally balanced budgets, reducing debt and increasing reserves? Should those principles remain, or do they need to be changed? Why?The EPA regularly comes out with unfunded mandates to the states and cities requiring a plethora of rules and regulations. I am aware of one that might affect Naperville with regard to nitrogen. The EPA wants communities to reduce nitrogen going into the streams. A capital project of approx $15 million would be required. I would oppose the expenditure. The Naperville electric company is operating in the red and borrowed $13.2 million from the water department and is paying those funds back. This increased electric rates 8.3% in 2016 and 3.6% in Jan 2017, with another increase of 3.6% for 2018. So we will see rate increases of 15.5% over 3 years. Unacceptable. Naperville is becoming a tax and spend city. Coupling the State of Illinois possible income tax increases with the continuing rise in local taxes Naperville is on a slippery slope. Having reserves is prudent for the unexpected and makes sense; however they do not need to be excessive. As a Naperville business owner budgeting is imperative and I run my business lean and efficiently. I would expect that from the water and electric departments and envision them trying to reduce budgets on a yearly basis. Let's do what is right for the citizens of the community.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 believe the police and fire coverage is adequate and should get high marks. They are well prepared with equipment and personal. I would like to see a regional specialty equipment sharing program . I'm not sure if one exists. I would also like to see their board meetings televised via video because many residents are not aware of them. My public safety concern would be the heroin problem in Naperville. I feel we need to have our children really see what this drug does to them and their families. If the students could watch the shows called "Intervention on AE" these young people would realize just how deadly and disastrous heroin could be in their lives.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?As a small business owner I am continuously exploring methods to reduce costs. In regards to the City of Naperville the mayor and the city council need to dig even deeper into the budget process. I feel a work place study needs to accomplish two things:Reduce costs and stream line operations. As a large city, Naperville should use economies of scale and share personnel with cross training to get several projects done nearly simultaneously.What is one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?I would like to see surveys given to random community members which will provide council members needed insight on proposed ordinances. This action would provide the councilmen added insight and knowledge that might affect their community.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?I feel a big issue that needs to be addressed is pension reform. The city has unfunded pension liabilities of $157 Million. The city should work to establish a defined benefit 401k retirement plan for new employees. I would also like to see some attention given to the run down Ogden Corridor. Many businesses have fled this area with no backfill of up scale businesses. Let's lure businesses back to that area of city.Finally, electric rates keep going up. Naperville electric is now more expensive than Commonwaelth Edison's in some surrounding communities. let's review our options to reduce costs. A concern is the water department loaned $13.2 Million to the electric department and the electric department raised rates to pay this money back. So tax money is going from one pocket to the other. It is the same company (City of Naperville). Why did the water department have so much money in the first place.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Bruce Rauner. The governor truly cares about Illinois. He wants to bring Illinois back from the brink of bankruptcy caused by years of overspending.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Always be humble and kind. Things are never given to you, you must work hard to accomplish your dreams and desires.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would spend it on helping my wife when our children were 2 and 3. I was just starting our new business. I missed out.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Biology and chemistry. I was always fascinated by watching Nova when I was a child. It was something that just clicked with me.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?I believe being friendly would be the best advice. The more friends you have the happier your life will be.