Jeff Werfel: 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: GrayslakeWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Grayslake Village boardAge: 48Family: Married 16 years to wife, Jennifer. Two children #8211; Emily (age 14) Chase (age 11)Occupation: Legislative Aide/Community Outreach Manager - Illinois House of Representatives (State Rep. Sandy Cole - 62nd District)Education: Bachelor of Arts in Government 1984, Georgetown University, Washington, DCMasters in Business Administration (MBA) in Marketing Strategic Management 1997, Loyola University, Chicago, IllinoisCivic involvement: Liberty Prairie Conservancy Board Member (2003 - present) Grayslake Chamber of Commerce Grayslake Historical Society Central Lake County Joint Action Water Agency Board of Directors -Alternate Director (2003 - present)Elected offices held: Grayslake Village Trustee (2003 - present) Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 The continuing need for more business/commercial development in Grayslake to add jobs, improve the local economy and assist in relieving more of the onerous residential property tax burden on our citizens. We have made good progress in this area during my eight years on the Village Board. However, the national economic recession has slowed local economic growth these past 2 years. While we continue to attract and approve significant economic development projects (the Cornerstone project by The Alter Group most recently), most will not be able to actually ""break ground"" until the overall economic environment improves.Key Issue 2 Continuing to responsibly manage the Village's budget and finances while continuing to deliver high quality municipal services. Grayslake's Village Board and Administration have been municipal-level leaders in implementing and maintaining innovative government management practices in budgeting and service delivery. These practices have created consistent balanced village budgets while maintaining resident service levels, low taxes, a high bond rating and, as of 2009, no debt. As a Village Trustee for the last 8 years, I am proud of the part I have played in supporting and continuing these practices that have helped make Grayslake a great example for other municipalities and higher levels of government to model themselves after.Key Issue 3 Improving Grayslake's quality of life by supporting and encouraging ""balanced development,"" which I define as adding and improving parks and open space, bike and pedestrian trails, and other people-friendly amenities, along with the business/commercial development we are able to bring into town.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I've beeen a resident of Grayslake for 12 years now. My family has really ""put down roots"" in this community which we truly enjoy living in.I believe the combination of personal, business and governmental experience that I possess makes me very qualified to continue as a Village Trustee. It is a responsibility that I take very seriously and I feel I have made a positive impact on the community in this role. In 2007 when I first ran for reelection, the Daily Herald endorsed my candidacy and wrote this, ""We believe Werfel is an active and productive trustee who brings a thoughtful approach and realistic ideas to discussions. He has shown he is not afraid to disagree when he feels the board is heading in the wrong direction."" I humbly and continuously try to live up to that assessment of me as a Village Trustee.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.We have been very sensitive to the economic impact of all types of taxes on businesses, individuals and households in Grayslake. I believe our local sales tax level is reasonable and appropriate. Grayslake's challenge in this area is substantially expanding the commercial activity that generates sales tax revenue, not the actual rate of this taxation. While we are ahead of the curve in our government management practices, we are behind in sales tax generating commercial activity, especially compared to some of our neighboring municipalities.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.Improving local roads and traffic congestion (this is really a major campaign issue for me also). Along with the obvious traffic congestion relief aspect of improving our local roads, there is also a widespread public safety concern that can be addressed, especially in school zones. In talking with friends and neighbors, I have found that local road, sidewalk and trailway improvements are helping to relieve some of their most significant public safety concerns. I support working cooperatively with other levels of government to continue to improve local roads and traffic congestion. I also support thoughtfully applying the Village's own resources where we can (as we have done over the years) to make high impact public safety improvements, such as installing needed sidewalks or pedestrian trails in school zones.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?As stated already, Grayslake has followed an aggressive and innovative approach to municipal government management. This approach has been followed since the 1980's, whether times were good or bad. Thus, we are constantly ""prioritizing"" various needs and responsibilities.Due to this management philosophy, in these particular tight times the negative impact on village finances and budgeting has been less severe than on some other municipalities. But it's still significant, of course. I have specifically supported suspending and pushing back the timing on some capital improvement projects that are not high priority. This way adequate budget and resources can continue to be applied to ongoing operations, which are the most important and vital services provided by the Village to residents.What#146;s one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?There are many talented artists in Grayslake and also nearby cultural resources, such as the College of Lake County. I believe that Grayslake has the potential to be somewhat of an ""arts center"" for Lake County. If Grayslake became a destination for both artists and their customers, I believe it would be a great boost to the community in many ways.