Zachary J. Ploppert: 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: GenevaWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Geneva AldermanAge: 20Family: My family has roots in Geneva going back three generations, most of that family still lives here. My family's history has only added to mine and my families pride and love for Geneva. My siblings and myself look forward to continuing this family history.Occupation: Four years at DG Hardware in St. Charles, currently a key holder/supervisorEducation: Graduated Geneva Community High School, 2008Junior at Northern Illinois University, studying Elementary EducationCivic involvement: Member of Geneva Strategic Plan Advisory Commission, (SPAC)Board of Directors, Geneva Community ChestCity of Geneva Liaison, Fit4Kane Program Volunteer, Geneva History CenterElected offices held: None to DateHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 In these tough times it is vital, and will my top priority, that the City of Geneva very carefully examine the City's needs versus the City's wants. Unfortunately we do not have the luxury of funding projects, programs, and services that are not vital to our community.Key Issue 2 Greater community involvement is needed in order to make sure the decisions of the City Council/Committee of the Whole best reflect the feelings of citizens within Geneva. This includes making sure all citizens are informed about what is to be voted on and what is happening within their city's government. I intend to accomplish this through a variety of ways; including creating an email list used to get my constituents opinions on key issues, creating a First Ward Facebook page, and hosting coffees at local coffee houses where residents can stop by and discuss issues facing the First Ward, and Geneva in general. All of this is in addition to always making myself available to residents via phone and email.Key Issue 3 Although Geneva's Downtown Master Plan is not complete yet, its completion and initial implementation will occur within the next Aldermen's term in office. It is crucial that the City Council take the Downtown Master Plan and work with the document, citizens, businesses, and the city staff to make sure that Downtown Geneva continues to be a shining point not only in Geneva, but in the Fox Valley.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?As a part of Geneva#146;s #145;next generation#146; I believe it is important for that generation to be represented on the City Council now in order to insure Geneva stays on track and continues to move into the future all the while preserving and honoring our history and traditions. Not only do I bring new energy to the position but I bring a fresh perspective that has yet to be represented on the council.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.For the time being, the level of local sales taxes is right on par with what I believe it should be. In an ideal world lowering local taxes would be a top priority of every candidate in the race, this unfortunately is not the case. I believe it to be unrealistic to promise to lower taxes but instead do promise to not raise taxes without first taking the time to make sure there is no possible alternative and to not do so would be detrimental to the community. The City#146;s portion of a homeowner#146;s tax bill is a modest 9%. The City has done a good job of #147;holding the line on taxes#148; while providing the services and programs the community has demanded and come to expect. As we move forward, more focus will be given, rightfully so, on closely examining all investments and expenditures and the tough decisions about what programs to reform or completely eliminate will fall on my shoulders and my colleagues on the City Council. I#146;m prepared to make the tough decisions based on feedback from those I serve and in the best interest of the entire community.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.We are very blessed to live in a community where public safety concerns are at a minimum. Geneva is a welcoming, vibrant, and most importantly safe community. These feelings are the result of constant hard work by not only our dedicated police and fire departments but also by our diligent city staff who make sure Geneva's infrastructure is safe for residents and guests a like. Maintaining this safety should always be made a priority and every resource made available to the people who help maintain this safety. While always maintaining a watchful eye on the budget of every city department we must remember that our safety is something that is hard to put a price on. The City's investment in public safety has ensured a safe community for both residents and guests. I believe the current level of funding to be on target with Geneva's needs but am always listen to new ideas and needs as long as they are budgeted for appropriately.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?The City of Geneva is currently facing several situations where the expenditure of money would be benifical. We have a fleet of police cars that are aging and often in need of repair, city streets are starting to show the wear and tear of our often times rough climate, and Geneva's Downtown Master Plan process is nearing the home stretch. These situations, among others need to be examined and prioritized carefully. Maintaining a fleet of police vehicles to keep Geneva's streets safe is a necessity that should not go over looked. Geneva's city streets are something that might easily go unnoticed by citizens until they are in need of repair. It is essential not only for the safety of our citizens and guests but also to prevent further expense in the future that Geneva maintain an aggressive plan of street maintenance and repair. The final phases of Geneva's Downtown Master Plan will no doubt be exciting and interesting. Since the Downtown Master Plan is a long term plan, nor any sort of binding contract it will not necessarily require the City of Geneva to budget large amounts of money to start work on completing the plan. We must remember however that the Downtown Master Plan is something that is designed to help guide Geneva into the future and uses information from a wide variety of sources to carefully lay out a plan that best guides Geneva's downtown into the future. It is crucial that we as a city do not lay these plans to waste and that Geneva continues to invest in it's future while still maintaining our history and managing our budget.What#146;s one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?The City of Geneva currently implements an email bulletin system designed to inform the citizens of Geneva what is happening within the city. It is my belief that when it comes to important issues and crucial votes Aldermen should take a proactive approach towards finding out their constituents opinions and views on issues facing the city. My plan as alderman is to create an email list similar to the one used with the City of Geneva email bulletins, comprised of residents of the First Ward. Residents will be able to sign up simply by sending me an email and requesting to be put on the list. An email list made up of First Ward constituents will allow me as Alderman to get quick feedback from citizens who want their voices to be heard on the issues that effect them most. This is a simple system to both design and implement and one that will be a time efficient way to find out my constituents view points before voting on key issues, allowing me as an Alderman to best represent the citizens of the First Ward.