Alan P. Wolff: Candidate Profile

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:BioKey IssuesQA Bio City: BataviaWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Batavia AldermanAge: 44Family: Married, 3 childrenOccupation: Master auto technicianEducation: BHS '84, Waubonsee -auto tech.Civic involvement: 2ND ward alderman since 2003, BATV Board member since 2005,Elected offices held: City Council 2003--currentHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: noCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Working to find solutions for creating more tax base from sales taxes, commercial property tax to help keep residential property taxes rates low.Key Issue 2 Continuing to work with staff to manage growth and reuse of our resources-land, housing stock and natural areas to make a lasting/sustainable move foward for our city.Key Issue 3 Getting more people involved with the boards/commissions/city committees that are so important to a healthy local government. Working with all the organizations to acheive better communications between the different public bodies than has been done in the past, including open channels to the public at large!!Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?My experience on the city council is a great asset. I think that I have learned to be better listener than a talker during my time on council. I always try to look at what is the best option for the entire city to aid in making my decisions. I am dedicated to making Batavia a better community for the future!!Given the delicate balance between the need for revenue and over-taxing local businesses, what is your opinion of your community's present level of local sales taxes? Is the tax just right, too low or too high? Explain.Sales tax is ok at the level it is currently at, I would like to find ways to draw more people to the options we have now. I think that we as citizens must think of where we spend our money and know that local is the best place to reinvest in our community.Talking with your friends and neighbors, what seems to be their biggest public safety concern? Explain the concern as you see it, and discuss how you think it should be addressed.Traffic, traffic, traffic, that is the most common discussion I seem to be having with people. I must admit I am ready to work on more pedestrian friendly downtown routes, streetscapes and bicycling options for our city. I think the next 5 years hold a lot of work ahead to enhance our downtown.In these tight economic times, municipal budgets have to be prioritized. Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?Batavia has taken a proactive approach with our financial sustainability project. All of our city staff, dept. heads and employees have participated in this most positive approach to maitaining services and cutting costs. The city has shrunk its workforce about as much as I think we can. I hope to look at all of our vehicle fleets more closely to find new possibilites for savings in those areas.What#146;s one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?Possibility of a commuter rail service on the east side of town--connection to the Metra West line in West Chicago. If this were an option we could market the properties in Fayban/Kirk Road corridors with new found markets. I think this would also help to lessen the traffic problems. I really think that in 20-30 years we may also want to consider a small (CTA sized) rail line on the east side of the river-smilar to the old Aurora/Elgin line.