James Childress: 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: Sugar GroveWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: "Elburn, Countryside Fire Board (6-year Term)"Age: 47Family: Wife Judie, sons Jack 18 and Josh 13Occupation: Illinois EPA Public Drinking Water Supply Operator for the City of GenevaEducation: Associates Degree in Applied Science for Agricultural Mechanics from Kishwaukee Community CollegeCivic involvement: Superintendent for local 4H Group Director for Valley Trail RidersElected offices held: NoneHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Continue to provide high quality service to fire district residents with very skilled employees, the most modern equipment and new technologies that become available, also increase the current Fire District Board size from 3 trustees to 5 trustees.Key Issue 2 Continue current research and land acquisition to provide for a third fire station located in the Northern part of the Fire District. Also, relocate current Fire Station number 1 from downtown to an area that is not so close to the railroad tracks in the event of a railway emergency that could cripple the response of the fire department.Key Issue 3 Work on improving relations between the members of the fire department, the firefighters union and the lead officers of the department.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.Increase the board size from 3 trustees to 5 trustees because of the large size of the fire district and the amount of tax revenue that the district collects. 3 trustees do not provide for adequate representation of the entire district, where 5 would be more suitable. Purchase land and begin design for a third fire station to be located in the northern part of the Fire District to provide faster response times to that area. Also, purchase land, design and build a new station that would ultimately relocate the current downtown station to an area away from the railroad tracks in the event that a train accident occurs so that it will not disrupt the response of the fire department.How should the fire protection district improve its services?Currently I feel that the District and its employees provide a very high level of service and I am very proud to reside within the Fire District. There is always room for improvement, but, their already exceptional service will be hard to improve. Maybe just a few minor adjustments to current department rules and regulations.Are you satisfied with the district's response times? If yes, please explain; if no, please offer your suggestions on how to improve.Living in the Southern part of the Fire District I feel that the response times from either Station 1 or Station 2 are exceptionally good. Adding a third station in the Northern part of the district will only add to better response times.What specific background or experience do you bring that makes you the best qualified candidate to serve on the fire district board?Working for a municipality I feel that I have a good understanding of certain policies and procedures for a government body so that I can add input to the board to assist in decision making. Also, with my background in mechanics I feel that I can be an asset when it comes towards purchasing or repairing Fire and EMS vehicles and mechanical equipment.This item intentionally left blank.Candidate did not respond.