Robert Czernek: 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: BloomingdaleWebsite: http://N/AOffice sought: Bloomingdale village boardAge: 59Family: Married 37 years, two daughters.Occupation: General Superintendent, Bloomingdale Township Highway DepartmentEducation: Prosser High School, ChicagoCivic involvement: Vice chairman of the DuPage Area County Project (DuCAP), which works with underprivileged children in DuPage County. Also a member of the Chicagoland Italian American Charitable Organization (CIACO) and on the board of directors of the Heritage At Stratford Homeowners Assn.Elected offices held: Village trustee, 1997-present.Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: No.Candidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 1. Fiscal responsibility. In these difficult economic times, we must be doubly vigilant to make sure we live within our means#151;just like families have to do. Every taxpayer dollar is precious and must be spent wisely.This is not the right time to burden our residents with tax increases. I was the sole ""no"" vote on a phone tax increase and also voted against a gasoline tax hike.As long as I'm trustee, I will be careful with every dollar we spend.Key Issue 2 2. Fill vacant retail space. Our community has always been blessed with a healthy commercial tax base, which allows us to provide needed services to our residents at the lowest possible cost.More recently, in this economy, it is been a challenge to retain and attract businesses. We must place a high priority on attracting business to Bloomingdale and keep our advantage as a retail center. Economic vitality benefits all village residents. We must be as business-friendly as possible to attract and retain retailers and other businesses within our borders.Key Issue 3 3. Give village residents the vital public safety and other services they deserve. We have a top-notch police department that protects our residents and other vital services such as public works make our village an attractive place to raise a family.In these difficult times, it is imperative that we make sure every tax dollar is wisely spent so we can continue to provide the same level of necessary services.It is better to spend tax dollars on fewer, more vital services, and do it properly, than try to be all things to all people and spend tax dollars foolishly.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?During my time as trustee, I have worked hard to provide top-level services to our residents at the lowest possible cost to residents. That will remain my focus going forward. My foremost concern is to be fiscally responsible and to make Bloomingdale as business friendly as possible to create jobs and to widen our tax base.I am not afraid to take the tough vote. For example, I was the sole opponent on a telecommunications tax and also opposed a gasoline tax increase. I will continue to stand up for taxpayers to make sure we don't impose extra burden on them.I also believe it is very important to maintain quality public safety and other necessary services for residents and I have worked hard to do so. I will continue to scrutinize all our spending to make sure we have a village government worthy of our great community.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.I believe the sales tax level is adequate right now. As noted above, we have to work hard to widen our tax base so we lessen the tax burden on all our residents.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.I talk to residents in the community on a daily basis#151;in our neighborhoods, and at groups like the chamber of commerce. There is near unanimous agreement that our police department is doing a good job. We must continue to support our police department and provide it with the tools necessary to continue its level of service to the community.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?Village staff has done a good job trimming budget and reducing staff. We must continue scrutinizing every dollar we spend to make sure it is necessary and wisely spent.What#146;s one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?We should examine any and all budget success stories in other communities to import any good ideas into our own decision-making.