Ken Brady: 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: WheelingWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Wheeling Village Board (4-year Terms)Age: 71Family: Married to my wife Christine for almost 49 years, we have 3 daughters, Kathryn, Cyndi, and Cheryl.Occupation: Retired construction Project ManagerEducation: 12 years in the parochial school system, Journeyman Master Carpenter, Washburn Trade School,Civic involvement: Wheeling Garden Club, Wheeling Historic Society, Wheeling Plan Commission, Knights of Columbus, St. Joseph the Worker Church, Wheeling Town Center development teem, North Milwaukee TIF committee, District 21 Caucus.Elected offices held: 2 terms as Trustee, Wheeling Village BoardHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 "NO NEW TAXES", I do not believe in creative ways to extract taxpayers money such as motor vehicle stickers and the like, at least homeowners can get credit for property tax on their income tax. I shall continue to work for a balanced budget and stop deficit spending to avoid large yearly increases to our property tax.Key Issue 2 To continue to support our industrial and commercial development to increase jobs, property and sales tax revenue. Retail has suffered the most setbacks these past several years, I believe there will be a gradual increase in retail outlets and we should not panic and give away our prime commercial properties. Thru the use of TIF incentives, and a large stock of available properties we have the opportunity to lure good quality commercial/retail stores. We must not loose our vision of Wheeling's future.Key Issue 3 To continue monitoring our core services to insure the safety and well being of our citizens are protected as we pass thru this recession. The Village Manager and his department heads are working to efficiently fill necessary voids left by layoffs and retirements during the money crisis. I believe we owe our citizens a safe, clean, friendly community to live in.Questions Answers What should be the relationship between the village and businesses? Should the village encourage busineses to move to town and if so how? What types of support should the village give new or existing businesses?We must maintain a "business friendly" relationship with our existing and newcomer business's. We have much to offer with financial help in our TIF districts, or the 6B tax reduction incentive, we also have a Industrial Commission that works closely with our Economic development Commission, there is a link to our High Schools and Jr. College S.T.E.M. programs for the students that would like a career in manufacturing, or engineering, and a very active and strong Chamber of Commerce that promotes and supports the retail business's.Do you agree with how the village has spent its TIF dollars? How would you spend them going forward?We use TIF money to do exactly what it is meant to do, help developers and business's pay for costs above and beyond normal construction costs, plus it allows us to provide necessary infrastructure to service a new development. We depend on our consultants to determine if the amount requested fits the project and assure that the excess will be paid by the end of the TIF's life. I feel we must move cautiously with TIF incentives to insure the quality and stability of the developers we help.What are other issues facing Wheeling? Does Wheeling put too much emphasis on economic development and not enough on issues such as public safety? How would you rate quality of life for Wheeling residents?First of all I have lived in Wheeling for 46 years and consider the quality of life as "high". I would put our core services, Police, Fire, and Public works against any of our neighbors as far as the quality of our attention to public safety. Granted we have cut back on street maintenance temporarily but are working on cost saving methods to help get caught up. There can never be too much emphasis on economic development, a strong business tax base eases the burden of paying for services from the homeowners.Given the delicate balance between the need for revenue and over-taxing local businesses, what is your opinion of Wheeling's present level of local sales taxes? Is the tax just right, too low or too high? Explain.Wheeling's sales tax is not excessive, we get 1% of the general sales tax, plus 1% food and beverage tax. Being on the border of Lake County we suffer with the higher Cook County tax and the lower Lake County tax rate. This does make it difficult to compete with our neighbors to the North although our existing Restaurants seem to be doing well despite the tax difference.What are the village's biggest public safety concerns? Explain the concern as you see it, and discuss how you think it should be addressed.Gangs! Although their activities are confined amongst themselves the fear of any violence spilling into the community is real. Fortunately our PD maintains a zero tolerance toward these activities and also maintains dossiers on every gang member.