James W. Hogan: 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: LombardWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Lombard Board, District 5Age: 56Family: Dad/Mom James/Elizabeth Living in Lombard Wife Kathy Daughter KellyOccupation: Businessowner: James W Hogan CPA CFP Hogan Company, CPAs Tax Investment Insurance Financial ServicesEducation: BS in Accounting with Distinction, 1982Unversity of Illinois at ChicagoLicensed Certified Public Accountant, 1983Certified Financial Planner Practitioner, 1997Civic involvement: Past President, Current Treasurer Tri-Town YMCATri-Town YMCA Board of Directors 20+yrsLombard Board of Local Improvements 20+yrsVillage of Lombard Finance Committee 15+yrsVillage of Lombard Economic and Community Development Committee 2yrsLombard Town Centre MemberIllinois CPA Society MemberNational Assn of Accountants MemberY Indian Princess Chief and Nation Officer3-Time Chairman of Taste of LombardElected offices held: No public offices.Leadership positions in local organizations.Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Continuing fiscal restraint and smart budgeting given the tight economic circumstances we are all in. I believe my professional knowledge and past experience will suit me well in these areas.Key Issue 2 Promoting Lombard as a desirable place to live and locate a business, especially in the downtown area. Looking at processes and hindrences that a potential business has to overcome to locate here and eliminating them where possible.Key Issue 3 Continuing infrastructure improvements, especially in the area of stormwater management and flood control. Working in cooperation with other village and governmental agencies to alleviate flooding.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I am a life long resident of Lombard. I grew up here, went to school here, worked here growing up, bought a home here, go to church here, opened a business here, sent my daughter through school here and have served this community in various ways over many of my adult years. I am familiar with many residents, business owners, and volunteers that offer their time and talents. I am also familiar with the many events that take place in Lombard. I have the insight of how things were back in the day and what some of the challenges are that Lombard faces today.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.I believe the Lombard sales tax rate is in line with the surrounding communities. We want Lombard businesses to be as competitve as they can be with those around us and not raise the rate so it forces people to shop and eat elsewhere. Given the fact that the Village of Lombard is heavily dependent of sales tax revenue, the rate can't be lowered significantly without affecting village services. The positive thing in this is that many of the people who shop and dine at Yorktown, for instance, are not Lombard residents, yet they are contributing to our sales tax revenue.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.I have not had anyone express a concern to me about a public safety issue. I think that most Lombard residents feel fairly safe and secure thanks to the work of the police and fire departments. I think resident concerns focus more on economic and flooding issues.Personally, I am concerned that Lombard's fire department relys heavily on mutual aid from other towns to handle the increasing number of calls for paramedic services. If elected, I would monitor this further to make sure response times continue to be adequate.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?I have attended several village budget meetings and each major village department has trimmed their budgets where they can. Overtime pay has been looked at as well as training budgets and equipment replacements. There have also been opportunities to outsource some functions to the private sector as well. Priorities for me would be assisting business development, maintaing paramedic services, and stormwater management/flood relief.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?Hiring Fire Community Service Officers to assist on ambulance calls, school education programs and assist firefighters whenever possible. A partnership with the fire science program at COD could be created. Students in the program could serve as interns and get valuable training/experience while providing low cost manpower to the fire department. This program works well for the police department now, allowing CSO's to relieve patrol officers and put them back on the street.