Joseph P. Barry: 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: Long GroveWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Long Grove Village boardAge: 56Family: Engaged, 2 future stepdaughtersOccupation: DentistEducation: Biochemistry, University of Illinois; Doctor of Dental Surgery, Loyola University Dental SchoolCivic involvement: I have been involved in helping the Village of Long Grove since 1987. First on the Ecology Committee with the distinguished Dr. James Young. Then the Long Grove Plan Commission for many years with Bob Coffin; After that I served as the Village Clerk and then as Village Trustee.I am a Past President and current member of the Des Plaines Lions Club.Elected offices held: Long Grove Village Trustee 1995- 1999; 2002- presentHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Enhance the quality of Long Grove's natural areas and give residents the means to enjoy them by connecting them with a pathway system.Key Issue 2 Maintain no property tax .Key Issue 3 Enhance Long Grove as a quality place to live and visit.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I have been living in Long Grove since 1985, and bring a historical knowledge and experience that has been helpful to the Board.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.Our sales tax is lower than everyone around us. We don't tax local business. They don't pay any property tax to the Village of Long Grove.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.The biggest safety concern I hear is the difficulty turning from the Village roads onto the state roads. State Routes 22 and 53 (Hicks) are in deplorable condition. They need to be reconstructed and intersection improvements made.Our crime rate is very low. We enhanced police coverage years ago by paying for extra full time Lake County Sheriff cars dedicated to our Village.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?Building permits were one third of our budget. They went to practically zero. Now we have to cut the government by another one third. This will be a huge challenge. We already had the smallest village government before the crash. Now we will have to remake it into a tiny government. Under these conditions, everywhere will have to weather cuts. I would like the police coverage to remain the same.What#146;s one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?We have a huge pool of talented, educated people in this Village. We should find a way to network this talent. Then we could draw on their expertise from time to time to help the Village. I am sure people would be glad to help with advice if it wasn't a large time commitment.