Diane Dunham: 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: SchaumburgWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Schaumburg Township Board (4-year Terms)Age: Candidate did not respond.Family: Candidate did not respond.Occupation: Retired IT managerEducation: MBA Finance, Operations, HR Project Management CertificateCivic involvement: Candidate did not respond.Elected offices held: Schaumburg Township TrusteeHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Providing much-needed services to Schaumburg Township residents without raising taxes.Key Issue 2 Maintaining and/or expanding current services and exploring new programs to serve those Schaumburg Township residents who have fallen through the cracks created by lack of funding through state and federal agencies.Key Issue 3 As Schaumburg Township board liaison to the Mental Health Board, it is my goal to bring awareness of mental health resources available to this community. To achieve this goal, we are hard at work to bring first annual Mental Health Fair on May 7, 2013.Questions Answers Name the three most important goals or objectives this board should tackle in the coming term. Prioritize them, and briefly discuss why you believe each to be critical, and how the board should go about addressing them.1. Continue to maintain balanced budget. 2. With high unemployment and uncertain economy, many Schaumburg Township families are struggling to make ends meet. Our goal must be to provide affordable services. 3. Partner with other agencies to increase services, and control or reduce costs for those services.In the 21st Century, with municipalities gobbling up vacant land, why are townships needed? Should they be serving a new role? If so, what?Township government is the closest level of government to the people. It provides services to the community at a time when state and federal social services have been cut back or eliminated.What should be the primary responsibility of township government?To provide services such as, but not limited to: General assistance programs for qualified residents Transportation for seniors and the disabled Social services for seniors, disabled, families, and teens. Maintenance of township roads and bridgesIn these hard economic times, can you identify some township expenses/programs that could be trimmed or eliminated to reduce the tax burden?All programs should be evaluated annually to determine relevance and to determine if they meet residents needs. Partnerships with other agencies or governments should be explored to increase programs and/or reduce tax burden. Our partnership with Kenneth Young Services is one example of increased programs and decreased costs.What specific background or experience do you bring that makes you the best qualified candidate to serve as an elected official in the township?Over 20 years in the business world embracing "best business practices." Twelve years as a Schaumburg Township Trustee reducing costs to taxpayers, balancing budgets, and providing quality services to Township residents. MBA Finance, Operations, HR Project Management Certificate