Robert J. Wagner: 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: Villa ParkWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Villa Park Village Board (4-year Terms)Age: 59Family: Married 29 years to Marian Wagner. Three children: Maureen, Martin and ElizabethOccupation: Fleet Specialist, IGo Car SharingEducation: B.A in Political Science, DePaul University, 1976Civic involvement: Current Library Board Treasurer Board of Directors of DuPage Library System, 2003-2006 Chairman, Villa Park Environmental Concerns Commission Southwest Villa Park Neighborhood Watch Captain Member, River Prairie Group, Illinois Sierra Club Member, Active Transportation AllianceElected offices held: Villa Park Library Board Trustee since 1999 Library Board President 2005 - 2009 Villa Park Village Trustee, 1995 - 1997 Elected Precinct Committeeman since 1988 Elected Sixth Congressional District State Central Committeeman since 2007 Elected Delegate to 2004 National ConventionHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: Routine traffic offenses but no criminal convictions.Candidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 My number one issue is doing whatever I can to help and encourage our Community Development Department. I want to make sure that Villa Park does what it can to enact business friendly policies and to continue to streamline the permitting and developemt process and help attract responsible develpers. I have also been involved in working out the design details for our Transit Oriented Development around our Metra Station. I would like to see that process come to its final approval and implementation.Key Issue 2 I think that strengthening our Community Policing efforts, bolstering our police tactical unit and increasing the number of patrolmen on the street is a key issue in my campaign.Key Issue 3 I would like to see the village adopt a "Complete Streets Policy", work to create a Bicycle Plan and work to become a Bicycle Friendly Community. Key to implementing a Complete Streets policy is solving the long standing problem of repairing our aging streets and sewers and how to fund these projects. I would like to explore the idea of creating an Infrastructure Trust Fund like the one created by the City of Chicago. One of the great assets we have in Villa Park is the convergence of three bicycle trails in the heart of our community. We do not do enough to highlight this and to encourage bicycling in our community. The creation of a Bicycle Task Force could help accentuate this "jewel" and help our village acheieve the status as a Bicycle Friendly Community. There are health, economic development and public safety benefits to achieving these goals.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I am the best candidate because of my long experience serving on many levels within the village. I have past experience serving on the Village Board and I have experience working with staff and with other units of local government. I also have good relationships with other elected officials. I have no hidden agenda. My only goal is the betterment of our community and the smooth and efficient operation of our village government.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.I think the objective of elected officials should be to reduce taxes whenever possible. I do NOT think sales taxes should be increased. Instead, we should focus on broadening our tax base by attracting more good businesses to our village. Some progress has been made towards that end by moving the Community Development Department to North Avenue where it is more visible and accessible. We also have some new staff in our Community Development Department that have brought some fresh ideas and new vitality.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 biggest public safety concerns that I have heard is the impact on the community of the Garden Station Rental Development. Also related to that is the incidence of crime around the Metra Train Station and in certain pockets of town, particularly around rental properties. I think these are legitimate concerns and the village has tried to address these issues. I think that there is a need for more community policing in this area. I think police sub-staions are a good idea along with more high tech solutions like surveillance cameras such as the ones extensively deployed in the City of Chicago. I think the Crime Free Housing initiative has been effective but stiffer penalties for landlords that do not comply would help.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 village has undergone a considerable reduction in staff over the last 4 - 5 years due to retirement and attrition. The replacement of some aging village equipment and vehicles has been deferred as a cost-saving measure. The village budget is already very lean. I believe the village could realize a savings by better weatherizing some village facilities, installing more energy efficient light (that process has already started), looking at the retrofitting of HVAC equipment and the purchase of more hybrid vehicles. I would like to see any savings allocated towards the repair of aging streets and sewers and towards the increase in the number of police patrolmen.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?I would like to explore the creation of a Human Relations Commission in Villa Park. Our community has undergone considerable demographic changes in the last 10 years. A Human Relations Commission would help to foster and promote understanding, mutual respect, cooperation and positive relations betweeen all residents of Villa Park. A Human Relation Commission could also help mediate disagreements between neighbors.