John J. Krummen: 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: NapervilleWebsite: http://krummenforcouncil.comOffice sought: Naperville City councilAge: 46Family: I am a widowed father of two boys, David 18 and Nathan 16. My wife, Barbara, passed away from cancer in 2001.Occupation: I am a Mechanical Engineer with 20 years in the automotive industry. I have an automotive patent (US 6,817,179 B1), and multiple published technical papers. I am also an Adjunct Professor of Economics and Finance at Benedictine University.Education: Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, University of Cincinnati, 1987Masters of Science in Mechanical Engineering, University of Cincinnati, 1989Master of Business Administration, Indiana University, 2004Project Management Professional (PMP)Civic involvement: Youth Ministry, High School Religious Education, 2006-2010Knights of Columbus 2010 to present Elected offices held: NoneHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoneCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Economic growthAlthough it is true one can spend themselves into the poor house, it is not true that one can save themselves to prosperity. Who can deny that the global economy, the U.S. economy, and the Naperville economy need to grow? There are two widely accepted theories of economic growth. One is based on capital; the other is based on technology. If we use the example of a farm, the capital based model suggests that more acres and larger tractors will produce prosperity. The technology model suggests that advanced seeds, better fertilizers, and more thoughtful watering protocols will produce greater profits and prosperity. Recent data suggests the technology model is more accurate.Naperville is in prime condition to ride the thoroughbred of technologically based growth. Naperville is very privileged to have many citizens that are technology specialist, IT professionals, and engineers. Naperville is also very privileged to have many citizens that are professionals in Chicago#146;s world class financial center. Thirdly, Naperville also has the opportunity to take advantage of leading technology based companies already located in Naperville, such as BP, Navistar, Nalco, Tellabs, and many others. Many Naperville officials are working hard to spark economic growth. We as a community should re-double our efforts to create an environment that will attract new tech companies. We as a community should re-double our efforts to create an environment that will allow further growth of current companies. This can only be enhanced by, and further demonstrates the need for a councilman with a technical background. Key Issue 2 Continuing to deliver superior city services The city needs leadership that can help find efficiencies in the system, so with reduced revenue, the city can continue to deliver superior city services the tax payers require. Key Issue 3 Poor city moralePoor morale is widespread throughout the city work force. The poor morale is most notably vocalized by the police union. City leadership will have to make many tough, unpopular decisions over the next handful of years. A successful way forward will only be possible with respectful working relationships between the city council, the city directors, and city employeesQuestions Answers The city has slashed dozens of jobs in the last year in an attempt to balance the budget. Do you see more of this in the future?I would like to speak in terms of immediate fixes and irreversible corrective actions. Most of what the council has implemented are one time immediate fixes, with little success of irreversible corrective actions. The city has closed most of the 7 million budgets deficient for this year. However, much of this was accomplished by re-allocating monies form specific funds into the general fund. One example was moving millions of dollars from the vehicle replacement funds. These funds will need to be replenished at higher rates when worn out and unsafe capital equipment will need replacing. Replacing these funds will be even more difficult with budget deficits of $12 million and $18 million projected for the next two years. In order to close the future budget deficits, the council has to employ irreversible corrective actions. Many of the city#146;s residence simply cannot afford higher taxes. Additionally, many city employees are finding it difficult to provide the superior services the tax payers have come to expect. The city has reduced the work force from approximately 1050 employees to approximately 950 employees. This represents a reduction in force of approximately 10%. The irreversible corrective action is to expand upon, and uncover work process efficiencies. One such example being pursued by some city departments, is working together with other municipalities to gain purchasing power.Based on your experience as council member or mayor, are there any programs that you already know you would seek to eliminate if you were to be elected mayor?This questions requires the inside information afforded to current councilman and the mayor.What are your thoughts/concerns regarding the city creating a shuttle bus service to help seniors and others commute to and from the downtown and other popular locations?Seniors have earned our utmost respect and gratitude. Their hard work and foresight has provided the residents of Naperville with an unbelievable community of great cultural amenities, schools, and neighborhoods. Shuttle service from downtown is just one way for our community to say thank you. It is also an economic engine that will support not only the downtown, but businesses throughout the city.The city recently purchased the site of the DuPage Children's Museum on the city's north side. Do you support leaving the museum in place or freeing up the potentially valuable real estate at the city's northern border for economic development?It is easy to get emotional about the DCM and any other decision affecting our children. The DuPage Children Museum is a wonderful asset for our children and for the city. The DCM is a private entity and hosts 300,000 visitors a year, with 40% of the visitors living outside of Naperville. The children have a wonderful learning experience, and economic development is brought to the city. However, in the previous 10 years, the DCM has not generated a profit. This issue represents the immediate fix focus of the current council and the lack of focus on irreversible corrective actions. Should not the current council have answered this question when they decided to purchase the land? The city has an obligation to all of its citizens to utilize all of its assets for the greatest return to all citizens. The current deal allows for the children#146;s museum to stay open at its current location for 5 years. If the children#146;s museum is not an economically viable private entity at the end of the contract period, then the city must act in the most financially responsible way for the community as a whole.What can be learned from the furor over the city giving police officers 3 percent raises then enacting layoffs? How should the city deal with its unions? Should it agree to raises when it knows layoffs will be a result?This should never become a question of the honorable work of the police and of the support personnel who keep us safe. On Wednesday, January 26th, 2011, I participated in a four hour long ride along with two Naperville police officers. I have witnessed firsthand why all of Naperville citizens are very proud of the professionalism of the police force. Nonetheless, there is poor morale throughout the city work force, and the poor morale is most notably vocalized by the police union. It is however, a question of financial responsibility and equalizing current spending to current revenue. Perception is reality, and the perception is that the city may have acted in retaliation to an agreement they did not fully support. The city council and all city employees understand the financial difficulties we all face. At the very least, the city council should demonstrate the respect for the police department, the fire department, and all of the city#146;s employees. Tough choices await all of us, but we can only move forward when we treat each other with respect and dignity.