Robert Bohler: 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: Sugar Grove Village Board (4-year Terms)Age: 62Family: Married- 33yrs (Sandy), 3 Children (Corey, Brooke, Adam), 1 Grandchild - MadisonOccupation: Security Life Safety SalesEducation: Southern Illinois University Waubonsee Community College 4-US Design Patents NICET Level II Certified FEMA - ISO 100, 200 700 CertifiedCivic involvement: Started Corn Boil Fireworks - 2002 - Present Solheim Cup Committee - 2005-2009 Sugar Grove Lions Club President - 2004-2010 Sugar Grove Economic Development Corporation- 2004-2013 Corn Boil Volunteer - 1994 - Present President - Rural Kane County Girls Softball League 1996-1998 Founded Sugar Grove Soccer League - 1994 Sugar Grove Athletic Association Coach - 1986-1997Elected offices held: Trustee - Village of Sugar Grove 1997-Present (16 yrs.)Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 We need additional growth of the commercial and retail along the Rt. 47 and Galena corridor. The new McDonalds, Walgreens, and Rush-Copley Convenience Care Center are great additions, but more is needed.Key Issue 2 I would like to see FIBER OPTIC brought into the Village to meet the needs of the residents and our commercial and industrial partners. Fiber is essential for substantial growth.Key Issue 3 We need to continue working on the Rt.47 and I-88 interchange and expansion south from Cross Street to Rt. 30 for future funding. There is a developer looking at the I-88 and Rt. 47 interchange for a future project. For it to be viable, a full interchange is needed. We have been working on the project for a number of years and are currently seeking "Prairie Parkway" dollars for the improvements.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I have been a resident of Sugar Grove for 28 years and a Trustee in the Village for 16 years. I am familiar with the history and processes needed to move the Village forward. The economy seems to be in "recovery". If so, we are entering into a critical stage in the development of the community. If the economic slide continues, I feel my understanding of past practices and realize future needs for Village of Sugar Grove, I am best fit for the position of Village Trustee.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 done a good job at holding expenses down. If you compare us to many other communities, our sales tax rates are in line, if not lower, than competition. The sales tax helps defer expenses of the daily operation of Village. We experience a considerable pass-through of traffic and non-residents that stop and shop in the Village. I would rather pay on an as-needed basis via the local sales tax then to pay for services rendered out of my property tax.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.Obviously the biggest public safety concern is from the parents with school age children. In light of the outbreak of violence in America, we are all concerned. The Board and the Sugar Grove Police Department realized that additional "visibility" at our schools, bus stops, and on the streets was necessary. The police department has stepped up patrols at the schools and at the bus stops. They meet regularly with school officials, attend meet and greet, along with actually sitting down for lunch with the students. The presence of the Police Department helps to entrust the feeling of protection not only for the student but also for the parents. Hopefully, these steps will lend for healthy development and sense of security. I believe the police department has done an outstanding job!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?I don't believe there is a need to cut back on the budget at this time. As mentioned before, the Village realized the early effects of a weak economy and immediately cut back on employees by 20%. The Village has done a good job at prioritizing the needs to run the Public Works Department efficiently. The Streets Department only has 3 employees to maintain over 60 road miles in the Village. They continue to receive compliments after the heavy snows. The Emerald Ash Borer has been a problem and will continue to be a problem in the near future. It does put a strain on the budget. The water and sewer crew has done an outstanding job in maintaining our infrastructure that relates to savings for the residents. The budget probably does not give enough money to the streets department for sidewalk repairs and needs to be looked at in the future. However, if we are talking about re-paving entire road systems, then it has to be budgeted over time. It's like that dream vacation. Something you need to plan on and save up for in the future.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?I share President Michels position on fiber optic. We need to get it and we need to do it sooner than later. That alone could make dramatic changes in the commercial and industrial growth in the Village and to the lives of the resident.