Bernard Thomas, 4 years: 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: Pingree GroveWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Pingree Grove Village board, 4-year termAge: 74Family: Wife, three sons, six grandchildrenOccupation: Logistics Manager (retired)Education: University of Baltimore, BS in TransportationCivic involvement: Park Commissioner-Streamwood, IL, Trustee Northwest Suburban Mass Transit District, Chicago Metro Planning Council, and president of several Parent Teacher Associations. Worked on committee to elect Billie Roth to state senate in Streamwood, ILElected offices held: Park Commissioner-Streamwood, ILHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: No.Candidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 We need to determine what are the best short and long term goals for ALL of Pingree Grove. The division currently is very wide between the #8220;Heritage District#8221;, Cambridge Lakes South, and Carillon, and it is going to widen even further unless all parties participate in the planning. I am suggesting a series of Town Hall meetings to help in this regard.Key Issue 2 It is going to be extremely difficult to balance the village's budget. Pingree Grove was allowed to grow too fast, and for that we have the Special Services Assessments (SSAs). Beyond what has already been trimmed from the budget, additional reductions in numerous areas will have to be made quickly. Key Issue 3 The public safety concerns involving the requested traffic signal to be located at the intersection of Route 72 and Reinking Road and the re-location of the fire station to a new site just north of this proposed new traffic signal. I have been working hard on this matter, and if all goes well, we could see both later this year or early next year.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I have always been involved in the communities where I lived and I bring this energy and experience to Pingree Grove, having moved here just over two years ago. Also, being retired, I have a lot of time that I can contribute to the duties of the board position. I have been a regular attendee at village board meetings, always asking questions to better understand the issues.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.Pingree Grove must first step up its efforts to attract businesses to the village. This means re-hiring a full-time Village Manager who has the knowledge and experience to move us forward. The village board must fully support the effort by prioritizing necessary resources and providing direction as appropriate. 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.My number 3 campaign issue mentioned above, introduces the subject of much local conversation that I have heard related to public safety. I started a petition drive to increase public awareness of the dangers at the intersection of Route 72 and Reinking Road that came with the construction of the Carillon area. I presented the well supported petition to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and have worked with the village to keep momentum going forward on this matter. I pointed out to the village a section of Reinking Road near Highland Avenue that had dangerous drop-offs on the shoulders. Elgin and Pingree Grove worked quickly to fill in the missing gravel. I am currently working with the fire protection district, the village, and DRHorton/Cambridge Homes on the matter of re-locating the fire station to a new site at Reinking Road and Route 72.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?On March 12th, 2011, the village will present the new budget at a public meeting. We have not seen this budget and it would be difficult to answer the question at this time. We hope that we will see money allocated to the effort to bring more businesses into Pingree Grove. A number of areas were already trimmed this past year, so we will have to see what room for decreases, or increases, are possible once we see the new, proposed budget. What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?I would like to see our village build on its relationship with the Illinois Department of Transportation and work to open up the intersection of Route 47 and Route 20 for new business opportunities. The village must continue to promote areas along Routes 20, 47 and 72 to business interests. These areas have already been through the planning steps. A Village Manager, supported by the board and village president, should spearhead this effort.