David Brummel: 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: WarrenvilleWebsite: http://brummelfor mayor.comOffice sought: Warrenville Mayor (4-year Term)Age: 66Family: married, two children, one grandchildOccupation: owner and cabinetmaker, Rymar Kitchens,Inc.Education: Bachelor of Science in Psychology, University of IowaCivic involvement: Current member, Board of Directors, DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference Past President, DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference Current Chairman, Board of Directors and Executive Commiettee, DU-COMM Current member, Board of Directors, DuPage Convention and Visitors BureauElected offices held: Alderman, Ward 3, City of Warrenville, 6 years Mayor, City of Warrenville, 8 yearsHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: No.Candidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Keeping Warrenville stable financially. We have no debt against the general fund and pay cash for everything. We have a diverse revenue stream and significant reserves. During the recent financial downturn, we have not had to cut vital services or lay off employees. Going forward, it is my intention to continue the prudent and responsible fiscal policies that have kept Warrenville solvent and stable.Key Issue 2 Warrenville cannot expand as it is landlocked by our neighboring communities. It is vital that we carefully control the opportunities we have for redevelopment because we may get only one chance to lock in the highest and best use of these properties for the long term best interests of our citizens. We have citizen-input based plans to guide the redevelopment of our Old Town area and our Civic Campus and we continue to make preparations and plans so as to be ready for when the econony improves and these plans can be implemented. Our Rte. 59 corridor also provides significant redevelopment opportunities and we must continue to lay the foundation and prepare for what the community wants to see develop there.Key Issue 3 Warrenville will continue to be challenged by difficult issues and decisions in the coming years. We have developed an excellent process to address issues and make decisions that is respectful of or citizens, relies heavily of public input, is transparent, is carefully defined, and is designed to lead to decisions based on the long term best interests of the community. Given the magnitude of the potential changes to Warrenville that will have to be considered in the coming years, it is critical that we adhear to our proven process and not be tempted by shortcuts or expediency.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I have proven over the past 16 years (Plan Commission, 2 years: Alderman 6 years: Mayor, 8 years)that I am willing to invest considerable time and energy to preserve Warrenville's small town charm while reaching for our highest potential as a community. Warrenville is financially stable with no debt, safe and quiet, family friendly, attracts and keeps excellent professional staff,and provides needed services at the level the citizens expect. Through my imvolvement with the DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference, DU-COMM, the DuPage Convention and Visitors Bureau,and frequent interactions with County and State officials I have tried to show that Warrenville is a good and responsible neighbor that is willing to do its share of heavy lifting for the benefit of the region and the state. My passion for community service remains undimmed, and after 16 years experience, I have learned much and am well seasoned. I would be delighted to continue to work for Warrenville for four more years.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.Delicate balance is a good way to put it. There has to be enough revenue to provide necessary services, mantain and replace the community's assets (equipment, sidewalks, roads,etc.)as well as resources that can be dedicated toward making provision for future improvements. Last year we had a respected outside agency assess our entire operation in terms of efficiency. They found that compared to other comunities our size, we do a better job for less overall, meaning our taxes are lower and our level of service higher than most of our comparables. I think that is just about right.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.Warrenville is blessed with a number of safe, quiet, charming neighborhoods. The people I talk to are very concerned that they stay that way. We recently passed an abandoned building ordinance that gives owners two years to either bring an abandoned structure up to current codes or tear it down. This is a safety as well as property values issue. Two dilapidated buildings have already been demolished. We have been discussing for some time inaugurating a Crime Free Housing Program which I am currently in the process of working with Staff and the other elected officials to see what is the best way to get started, talor the program to fit Warrenville, and find the revenue to support the program going forward. Long term, this will be a huge benefit to the community by supporting good landlords and encouraging those who choose not to maintain their rental properties to go elsewhere.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?Given how much we have tightened the purse strings in the past few years, I can't see significant additional cuts that would not adversely affect service levels that the community supports. The fat, what little there was of it (remember, Warrenville has no debt and we only spend money that we have), has already been excised. As I said in the answer to the previous question, I am committed to moving Crime Free Housing forward and finding the means to do so.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?Redevelopment plans have been put on the shelf for the past several years because of the economic downturn, so I guess no one is talking much about Warrenville's future and how it will look in 5, 10, or 20 years. I have never stopped thinking about how Warrenville could be better and how some of our empty or run down properties could be transformed into assets. My Father was a carpenter and I am a cabintemaker. Building and repairing is in my blood. My fondest wish is to continue to work with the citizens of Warrenville to preserve the best of what is here while facilitating the changes that will leave our town better than how we found it.