Patrick Clarke: 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: East DundeeWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: East Dundee Village boardAge: 43Family: MarriedOccupation: Firefighter/ParamedicEducation: Licensed EMT Paramedic with annual recertification. Advanced Cardiac Life Support CertifiedFirefighter level 3, Hazmat Technician level 1, Fire Apparatus Engineer, Federal Emergency Management Agency certified in National Incident Management System.Civic involvement: Toys 4 Tots, Special Olympics, Library Springs Open Space volunteer, and other charitable events.Elected offices held: NoneHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 My number one campaign issue is to ensure that the residents of East Dundee know that I am a part of our electoral process, elected by our residents for our residents, and that I will listen to them and advocate for them. My hope is to see our village grow if that is what residents want, commercially, and, also, to be a vehicle for creating stability and security within the village.Key Issue 2 East Dundee is a small town and has several distinct advantages over its larger adjacent neighbors. A small village allows for detailed attention towards local businesses and residents#146; needs. We need to stop looking at businesses as just a source of revenue without concern for their wishes. We should consider a business retention program, allowing for low interest loans, to help current businesses or building owners do façade renovation and other exterior improvements including signage.Key Issue 3 Commercial loans have come to a stand still by lending institutions in the past years. This in turn has brought the possibility of new business to a mere trickle. Another thought of mine is to add a business program, initiated by the village board, assisting eager entrepreneurs in securing small business loans and giving guidance and other non monetary aid as they launch their dream during these tough economic times.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I have worked for a municipality for over 20 years. I have seen what works and what doesn#146;t work. I would initiate the #147;Best Practices#148; that I have seen work and apply these #147;Best Practices#148; to East Dundee. I#146;m eager to listen to all East Dundee citizens. I would address and value their concerns. I want citizens to know that I am there for them.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.East Dundee has lost its edge in attracting and retaining businesses, including shoppers, with its current tax rate. A bold move of lowering the Home Rule Tax rate and repealing our Business District Tax altogether should be analyzed. In time, volume should supersede the short-term loss of 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.The biggest public safety issue involves the condition of East Dundee#146;s roads. We need to look at all possible avenues of grant funding to improve East Dundee#146;s road maintenance program. Road conditions are the first experience noticed by a visitor coming to or passing through 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?East Dundee already operates on #147;bare bones#148; budget. There may however, be room to further trim operating budget at management level. Having three canoe rowing captains in one canoe with only a couple of people rowing causes a front heavy canoe with little progress.An area of budget that should be closely analyzed and possibly increased is the Public Works Department. It is my opinion that the Public Works department is the backbone of any village or town. Yet, Public Works seems to be the most unrecognized department and suffers the largest budget cuts during tough times. An example of this is if our roads are not plowed in a timely manner, an increase in auto accidents might occur. This can overwhelm our police department with accident reports and overwhelm our fire department with transports to area hospitals.Fortunately for residents, Public Works personnel can be an innovative bunch that usually figures out a way to get the job done.What#146;s one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?It would be nice to see the implementation of a citizen watchdog group on a voluntary basis to oversee the board#146;s actions. This would allow an avenue for concerns by residents without the intimidation that some people feel in speaking in front of the Board directly. This should help insure the Board#146;s decisions are in the best interest of the Village and not for personal gain or benefit of a few.