Lester Ottenheimer: 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: Buffalo GroveWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Buffalo Grove Village Board (4-year Terms)Age: 57Family: Married to Karen 3 children--Scott Alex and AdamOccupation: AttorneyEducation: BS in Public and Environmental Affairs---Indiana University--Bloomington 1977 JD--Indiana University School of Law---1980Civic involvement: Past Board of Directors, Campaign Chair and President--United Way of Wheeling-Buffalo Grove Past Member--Buffalo Grove Days Committee Past Member and Chair-Buffalo Grove Plan CommissionElected offices held: Appointed to fill the 2 year unexpired term of Jeff Braiman when he became mayor/Village Board PresidnetHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NONECandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 My number 1 Campaign issue is fiscal responsibility.. The Village must continue to diversify its revenue stream to avoid a strong dependence on property and other local taxes. The Village must continue to control it's operating costs---both internally and externally, to maintain a balanced budget. The Village must also continue to generate sufficient revenue so as to continue to provide the requested level of core services to its residents.Key Issue 2 My number 2 campaign issues is economic development. Economic development in the Village continues to be a major theme for me as a Buffalo Grove Trustee. Economic development will generate more income and revenue to and for Buffalo Grove--which is necessary in order to maintain fiscal strength. The Village needs to continue to work with and attract developers as it pertains to the redevelopment along the Dundee Road and Milwaukee Avenue corridors. Development for the sake of development, however, is not the goal. Development must be strategically planned with the goal of generating as much revenue as possible for the Village, while at the same time balancing the needs and inconvenience of its residents. Buffalo Grove should continue its participation with the Lake County partners as well as with other regional development organizations.Key Issue 3 My third campaign issue is government transparency and accountability. The Village of Buffalo Grove has done an admirable job of providing transparency to its residents. This includes all communications and financial information. The Village constantly seeks input from its residents almost on a daily basis on various issues and projects and continue to respond to inquiries from residents. This needs to and should continue. Transparency and accountability is a must and the Village should continue to provide as much information as is necessary to inform the residents of the Village on all aspects of their local government. Although residents have the opportunity to address any issue on their mind at Village Board meetings, those meetings may not be convenient for residents to address their concerns. Therefore, I am also suggesting a series of "Town Hall" meetings throughout the year at various locations and times throughout the Village. This may provide a more convenient forum for residents to air their concerns.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I have been a resident of the Village of Buffalo Grove for 26 years. I have been a member of the Buffalo Grove Plan Commission for approximately 15 years, having served as its Chairman for 10 years. In that position, I have worked closely with Village staff and past and current elected officials and Trustees obtaining a real and practical knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of Buffalo Grove. I have also served as a Village Trustee for the past 2 years, having been appointed by President Braiman and the Board to fill the 2 year unexpired term once Jeff Braiman became Mayor. I plan to utilize that information in my position as Trustee to further the short term and long range goals and economic development of the Village. This will insure that the future of Buffalo Grove stays on course with logical and practical planning, economic development and fiscal responsibility. I have also gained a working knowledge of the services Buffalo Grove offers to its residents, and will continue in my role as Village trustee to make sure the same level of excellent Village core services are continuing to be offered to all residents. I believe in open and honest communication and transparency in relation to the Village Board, its staff and the residents of Buffalo Grove. All of the above is an elaborate way of saying I want to continue to give of my time and talents to the Village, which has provided me and my family excellent opportunities and resources in which to raise a family. Since I have been a Village Trustee, I am proud to say the Village has established an Electric Aggregation program--saving residents money on their utility bills and obtained a fixed cost for the next 5 years for refuse and recycling. During my term, the Village has also achieved a balanced budget---no small feat in these tough economic times, and the Village once again has achieved a AAA Bond rating. The Village is almost ready to roll out its line bill payment which is another convenience to residents. I will continue to work to develop programs and policies for the benefit of Buffalo Grove.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.While municipalities are struggling to generate more revenue, the current local sales tax is right---at this time. The Village should continue to diversity its revenue streams so as to preclude reliance on local sales taxes. As economic development continues in Buffalo Grove,it will add additional revenue from new business in the Village, thus obviating the need for an increase in local sales taxes. Given these challenging economic times, no additional financial burden should be placed on Village residents and businesses.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.Having lived in Buffalo Grove for approximately 26 years, I have been fortunate to have lived in a safe community. After listening to my friends and neighbors, the biggest safety concern being related to me is the safety of our children--both in terms of more sophisticated drug use by school age children- texting and driving and DUIs.. Based on a recent series of tragic events, I am hearing it is now necessary for local school officials and Village fire and police to convene a commission on how to address any type of school related attacks. I support the formation of such a commission as it it vital for our school children to have a safe and secure place in which to learn and grow. Texting and drinking while driving also is a safety concern. The Village needs to continue to be a leader in DUI arrests and needs to continue to educate the public on the dangers of texting and driving and drinking and driving---by use of more public service announcements and the distribution of written materials, as well as classroom education for the children.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?Unfortunately, due to the infestation of the Emerald Ash Borer, the Village has had to earmark funds from its budget to remedy this problem. While I am proud to say the Village has and will continue to address this issue--with a balanced budget---core services to the residential are a main priority. While the Emerald Ash Borer problem is an unexpected drain on Village resources, perhaps the budget could be modified a bit more so that a certain amount of those funds can then be secured for more core/life-safety services.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?Since I became a Village resident 26 years ago, I have seen a change in the demographics of the Village. There are more aging baby boomers but there is a lack of housing stock appealing to this segment of the Village. The Village needs to form a commission to deal with this issue. Buffalo Grove needs develop a housing market that appeals to this age group, so as to retain its residents. The Village should also develop a marketing plan to attract the younger segment of the population as well. Lastly, the Village Bicycle Commission should explore the idea of providing bike lanes on the public roadways, which will enhance and strengthen the Village's bicycle path system.