Martin Ebert: 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: HampshireWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Hampshire Village Board (4-year Terms)Age: 52Family: MarriedOccupation: Civil EngineerEducation: Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, Southern Illinois University, 1989Civic involvement: NoneElected offices held: Zoning Board (Village of Hampshire, 2001 - 2003); Planning Commission (Village of Hampshire, 2003 - 2005); Village Trustee (Village of Hampshire, 2005 - 2013)Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 To work with the financially burdened developments in order to complete their build-out.Key Issue 2 Try to obtain revenues in order to replace the aging infrastructure within the Village of Hampshire.Key Issue 3 Establish policies to promote business opportunities within the Village of Hampshire.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?My ability to work well with fellow trustees and staff to define and implement policies which will work best for the Village.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.The Village has maintained well with the current tax revenues. Therefore, the need to raise sales tax levels is not warranted.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.The residents with whom I've spoken to do not have any safety concerns. I believe that this is because of the qualified Village Staff (administration, police and public works) we have put into place.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?The current Village Trustees and Staff work very hard to create a budget that covers all of the Village's concerns and obligations. With our hard work to create and maintain that budget, we are able to offer the residents all of the Village services with no restrictions.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?I do not believe that there is one person with one idea. I believe that the Village Trustees work as a collaborative group in order to take all of our ideas and refine them to create policies which will work best for the Village.