Jeffrey Walter: Candidate Profile

Back to Elburn President One Term

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: ElburnWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Twitter: @fetchsfs78Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/JeffWalterForElburnVillagePresident/Office sought: Elburn President One Term Age: 56Family: Wife - CarrieDaughter - KaitlynSon - JeffreyOccupation: Director of Solutions Delivery, OptumCare, OptumEducation: BS Finance, Univ of South Florida 1991MS Mfg. Mgmt. - Univ of Toledo 1997MBA - New York Institute of Tech 2004Civic involvement: Trustee, Village of Elburn 2009 - presentLions Club - Member / VolunteerSt. Gall Catholic Church - Finance Council, pastoral council (former), Lector and volunteer for multiple committees and eventsKnights of Columbus - 4th degree, volunteer for various eventsAmerican Legion - MemberPrevious Soccer, T-Ball and Baseball CoachPrevious Cub Scout Den LeaderElected offices held: Village TrusteeChairman of Elburn Finance CommitteeQuestions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?The why has several answers. I have spent the last 8 years working alongside some very talented and devoted people on a shared vision for Elburn. I want to continue working toward that vision of controlled and sensible growth, building a Village that provides not only the basic services but is a place where all of the residents can enjoy an unrivaled quality of life that they cannot only be proud of, but will brag about. We have spent too much time focused on the now and very little on what our future should look like and how do we get there. Eight years ago the housing market crashed and we spent a lot if time cutting, now its time to look forward. My Village experience and my work experience coupled with my education and my desire to serve my community make be the best candidate. I am not a one issue candidate but am focused on all areas of this position; leadership, financial responsibility, transparency for the Board and residents, hiring the best people for the leadership roles, focus on economic development and Parks, and increasing the quality of life in Elburn.How would you describe the condition of your community's budget, and what are the most important specific actions the town should take to assure providing the level of services that people want?Our budget is bare bones at the moment. 8 years ago we started cutting due to decreasing revenues. We cut positions, let leases expire on office space and tightened out belt wherever we could. That has continued. Basic services are covered and we need to start looking at other options. For example, the Parks Commission is looking for commercial partnerships to fund parks. Overall though, we provide a very good level of service to the residents on a minimal budget.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?I do not believe trimming is the answer or even possible. Any cuts would impact services negatively. What we need to do is ensure our employees are working to their full potential and the jobs we need covered get assigned to current staff. For example, right now there is no one covering economic development since the administrator is still running public works. Once that position is hired then he needs to pick up that area.Describe your leadership style and explain how you think that will be effective in producing effective actions and decisions with your village board or city council.Mangers provide employees with the tools they need to do their jobs, leaders motivate individuals to excel at what they do. My leadership style has several elements. I am a firm believer in management by walking around. And in the Village that means talking to the employees, touring the Village to see how things are going and talking to residents about their concerns. As to my fellow board members I believe that open and honest communication is the key to building the relationships with them. Relationships are key to getting things done. Being able to talk to each other about issues without fear and to bounce ideas of each other, listening with curiosity and asking questions are all describe the kind of board I want to lead.What is one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?Better communication to the board and residents from the Mayor's seat. I will not let the Mayor's report agenda item ever go with a "nothing to report" and I will ensure the residents receive a yearly state of the village report.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Parks and recreation. This is an issue which is only now gaining traction in Elburn thanks to my efforts in convincing my fellow board members to start a parks committee. There is much more to be done here to build a solid foundation for the coming growth.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Governor Bruce Rauner for doing what's right even though it's hardWhat is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Everyone makes mistakes, own up to it and move onIf life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would go to college before I joined the NavyWhat was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?English, it improved my communications skills and made me appreciate readingIf you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Life is messy and sometimes hard but its that mess and overcoming those difficulties that make you a better version of yourself.