Joseph C. Alfe: 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: CaryWebsite: http://Facebook: Joseph C AlfeOffice sought: Cary Elementary D26Age: 38Family: Married with five children: Makayla, 8 Adrian, 4 Aaron, 2 1/2 Marina, Just Born! Ariana, Just Born!Occupation: President and founder of Short Sale Negotiators Inc.Education: Northwood University, Midland, MICivic involvement: Youth Conservation Alliance, AdvocateFox River Valley Muskies Inc. (Former Asst. Youth Director)Elected offices held: Candidate did not respond.Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Finding alternate ways to balance and fund school budgets other than raising property taxes. As a real estate professional and foreclosure expert, I can see that the rising district 26 property taxes are actually hurting property values in the district while not addressing the fundamental budget issues.Key Issue 2 Detailed and complete audit of district 26 budget. I believe we can start by assessing the districts financial health to identify wasteful spending and accounting for unnecessary expenditures, and to identify ways to both save and raise money.Key Issue 3 Standing up to the educational establishment regarding the funding of educator pension programs and benefit related issues. I want our educators to be well paid, but the district and taxpayers cannot continue to bear these increases while we cut our kids educational programs. A balance must be found.Questions Answers What prompted you to run for the D26 board? If you're a newcomer, how will you make a difference? If you're an incumbent, how have you made a difference?I have a two children who are in district, and I was asked to volunteer to teach art because it was cut. Meanwhile, I read about our educator pensions and salaries and I decided to get involved. I have three more children coming into this district and if we keep going down this road, we will be paying for 500K/yr education management while we look for volunteer teachers, all while burying our families in tax debt. There has to be a better way, and I hope to use my business, financial, and negotiating experience to make a difference.The board has discussed closing a school to save money, but administrators recommend against it. What is your position and why?I am against closing another school. The district is holding on to vacant and unused land that can be sold to raise money. Education management salaries can be trimmed, pension payouts can be shared more equitably, and solutions can be found. Solutions other than cramming 40-50 kids into classrooms and cutting art, music, and other important activities while still floating tax referendums.Did you support the resident bid to raise $4.3 million? If you were a part of the stalled parent-led bailout attempt, why did the initiative fail to get off the ground?There were some transparency issues with the money, and there was no actual disclosure of where the money came from, or if it actually existed at all. Because of this secrecy, there was some bad press and I think that there simply wasn't enough real information to make a decision.District 26 will continue to face budget reductions. Do you support further program cuts in order to balance the budget? If so, which programs would you reduce or eliminate? If not, how would you ensure the district's financial viability?No. The kids have been cut enough. The teachers union will just have to compromise and start trimming their demands. It's that simple.How satisfied are you that your school district is adequately preparing students for the next stage in their lives? What changes, if any, do you think need to be made to ensure academic success?District 26 has great schools, and great teachers. I do not want anyone to believe that I am anti-teacher, because I'm not. My daughter attends Deerpath, and while class sizes are high, it is a well run school. My daughter is getting a good education, and I like the fact that if I go and drop her off, Principal Gippert is there to greet me and shake my hand...however, teachers and educators need to compromise on certain issues in order to balance our school budget.