Allen Cavender: 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: North AuroraWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: North Aurora Village Board (4-year Terms)Age: 49Family: Married 23 years in May. 5 children - Faith 21 (junior at Olivet Nazarene University), Sarah 19 (recent West Aurora High graduate), Rachel 18 (senior West Aurora High), Luke 16 (sophomore West Aurora High), Noah 15 (freshman West Aurora High)Occupation: State of Illinois Dept of Corrections 23 years. Currently Corrections Residence Counselor at Fox Valley Adult Transition Center (a women's work release facility) at 1329 N. Lake St., Aurora, IL.Education: Bachelor of Arts in Political Science (1986) from Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL 60187Civic involvement: Volunteer baseball manager/coach Aurora Boys Baseball, 65 E. Downer Pl. Aurora, IL 60507 (2006-present) Volunteer West Aurora High School Band Boosters, Aurora, IL (2006-2010) Member/volunteer Schneider Elementary School PTO, North Aurora, IL (1999-2005) Volunteer basketball/soccer coach Fox Valley Park District, 150 W. Illinois Ave. Aurora, IL 60506 (2002-2003) Parent Ministry coordinator Ginger Creek Community Church, Aurora, IL (2000-2005) Board member/Vice-President North-towne Home Owners' Association, North Aurora, IL C/O Alpha Property Management P.O. Box 4482 Aurora, IL 60507 (1994-2002) Volunteer baseball manager/coach West Chicago Athletic Association, West Chicago, IL (1988-1993)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 I have lived in North Aurora for nearly 20 years. There have been times when I have presented issues to elected officials and / or the police department and been told my concerns / complaints were not valid. As a matter of fact the city officials demonstrated no flexibility in dealing with a very difficult neighbor situation. I plan to be a listening ear and willing to see past the letter of the law or ordinance.Key Issue 2 For the most part the city appears to be fiscally sound. I want to be part of the continuation of a sound fiscal community as well as keeping taxes low and possibly reducing current taxes.Key Issue 3 As a current state of Illinois employee I am deeply concerned about the pension issues for all levels of public employees. I want to be a voice in support of all the hard working men and women who have done their part in contributing to their communities and their own future livelihoods. We must find a way to fulfill the promises made to all who have put in so many years of faithful service.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I am a 20 year resident of North Aurora and care deeply about my family's living 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 our local sales tax is appropriate. But I was not in support of the utility taxes the village instituted a few years ago. I would vote to have those taxes repealed.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.With the city of Aurora having such good success in reducing violent crime I have heard that some of the unsavory element sometimes hides out, in order to let the heat die down, in less populated areas with clusters of apartments or town homes such as North Aurora. I believe it is imperative that law enforcement work with home owners' associations and neighborhood watch groups to notify them when there is evidence of drug or criminal activity coming to the community from an outside 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?As I stated earlier, I believe the Village of North Aurora is fiscally sound. The Village works regularly with local civic groups. The Village runs an incredible local festival each August. And the Village has ample volunteer involvement in those endeavors. I hope to contribute a little of that giving spirit as a member of the Village board.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?The village has a newer library and police station and a remodeled village hall. But there are a lot of streets throughout the village in considerable need of maintenance and upgrade. I know the the village has a list, or master plan, for many of these streets. I would like to see the village put extra resources into speeding the plan along since the major building projects are no longer in need of more funding.