Robert Iden: 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: BloomingdaleWebsite: http://www.2013Bloomingdaleunity.comOffice sought: Bloomingdale Village President (4-year Term)Age: 70Family: Married, two children, three grandchildrenOccupation: RetiredEducation: Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration Southern Illinois University, 1964Civic involvement: Candidate did not respond.Elected offices held: Village Trustee, Bloomingdale Village President, BloomingdaleHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Maintaining the level of Village services without increasing taxesKey Issue 2 Working to retain our existing businesses, while working within our means to attract new viable businesses to townKey Issue 3 Continuing our excellent intergovernmental relationships with other Bloomingdale entities for the betterment of the community.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?Experience, proven track record. I have 34 years of elected experience 14 years as a trustee and 20 years as mayor. During that time, Bloomingdale has always had a balanced budget and has abated $11 million in property taxes in the last four years alone, giving each property a $250 savings per year. I have served on the DuPage Regional Planning Commission as chairman, the DuPage County Mayors and Managers Conference as president in 2009-2010, and most recently as executive board member on the Metro Mayors Caucus. Through these affiliations I am also working to improve the region of which Bloomingdale is a part.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.Bloomingdale has been able to live within its means with revenues received, despite having the lowest property tax in the area. We are able to take advantage of the sales tax provided by our retail base. Given the draw of the regional mall and the shopping centers surrounding it, the sales tax we receive comes not only from our own residents, but the bulk is received from those living outside of Bloomingdale.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.Bloomingdale is lucky in that we have very little serious crime. Having said that, our police department believes in constant training and being proactive in preparing for emergency situations. Our police department works together with the fire department, the village services department and village administration on a Crisis Management Team. We have an active Neighborhood Watch group that has been in existence for more than three decides. They act as a barometer for us in terms of public safety concerns.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?We?ve already trimmed where possible without cutting back on services to our residents. We could use more revenue for storm water drainage improvements, as well as for the replacement of trees affected by the ash borer. We have an on-going program to replace 1,700 trees, although we are short on the funds needed. We?d also like to make improvements to our Old Town District, which is the area which was originally settled in 1833. We would like to maintain the integrity of this valuable piece of our heritage.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?In 2010, due to economic restraints, Bloomingdale cancelled its annual four-day Family Fest, a major undertaking that drew people from all over the area. Since that time I have been building on a number of smaller existing community events and expanding the concept to create a year-long series of family oriented events. Working with other governmental entities and groups, we currently have a Memorial Day observance, summer concerts in the park, ice cream social at the library, one-day Septemberfest, and other events that appeal to various age groups. I am looking to expand this further in the interest of strengthening our collective sense of community. Our excellent intergovernmental relations have made these events both possible and successful.