Robert Kellermann: 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: DEER PARKWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Deer Park Village President (4-year Term)Age: 71Family: MARRIED ONE SONOccupation: ACCOUNTANTEducation: BA BUSINESS, VALPARAISO UNIVERSITY, 1963Civic involvement: U.S. ARMY RESERVE, 27.5 YEARS LTCElected offices held: VILLAGE TRUSTEE/TREASURER, DEER PARK, 1981-1985] VILLAGE TRUSTEE DEER PARK, 2007-2009 VILLAGE PRESIDENT DEER PARK, 2009-PRESENTHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NOCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY: SINCE 2009 FOR FOUR CONSECUTIVE YEARS DEER PARK HAS HAD A ZERO-BASED, ZERO-SUM BALANCED BUDGET. THE RESERVES INCREASED TO $ 1.8M FROM $ 800,000. THE LONG TERM DEBT HAS BEEN PAID OFF. THE VILLAGE HAS NO REAL ESTATE TAXES.Key Issue 2 QUALITY OF LIFE: THE VILLAGE'S FIVE AND TEN YEAR PLANS ADDRESS RESIDENT CONCERNS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE. RESIDENT RESPONSES TO THE SURVEYS DETERMINE THE PRIORITIES FOR THE BUDGET, AND BOARD'S COURSES OF ACTION. IN DEER PARK, THE VILLAGE GOVERNMENT SERVES THE RESIDENTS.Key Issue 3 INFRASTRUCTURE: THE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM INCLUDES ROADS, DRAINAGE, AND PARKS. SINCE 2009, THE VILLAGE HAS RE-SURFACED 44% OF THE STREETS AND INVESTED NEARLY $3M DOLLARS IN ROAD IMPROVEMENTS. THIS IS MORE THAN TWICE THE AMOUNT FOR THE PERIOD 2000-2008. FOR THE NEXT 27 YEARS, THE VILLAGE WILL BENEFIT FROM THESE INVESTMENTS.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?THE VILLAGE IS UNIFIED. RESIDENTS, BUSINESSES, AND GOVERNMENT WORKING TOGETHER TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE, AND PLACE TO WORK AND SHOP. THE CURRENT BOARD OF TRUSTEE'S PROVIDE SOLUTIONS TO ISSUES. GOOD PEOPLE WORKING TOGETHER MAKE GOOD THINGS HAPPEN, THE VILLAGE RECORD FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS IS: 1) 44% STREETS RE-SURFACED WITH DRAINAGE UPGRADES 2) LOWER ELECTRIC RATES FOR RESIDENTS 3) SIGNIFICANT INCREASE POLICE COVERAGE 4) DEBT RETIRED 5) NUMEROUS OLD DRAINAGE PROBLEMS CORRECTED 6) PARK IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM 7) NO REAL ESTATE TAXES 8) CASH RESERVES $ 1.8 M DOLLARSGiven 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.DEER PARKS SALES TAX RATE IS 7.25 PER CENT WHICH IS LOWER THAN OUR NEIGHBORS. THE COMMERCIAL AREA IS BECOMING ONE OF THE BEST IN THE CHICAGO METRO AREA WITH THE TOP RETAILERS. THE VILLAGE'S TOURISM COMMITTEE WORKING WITH THE BUSINESSES WILL INCREASE VOLUME OF SALES TO PRODUCE MORE REVENUE. THE WEBSITE AND SPECIAL EVENTS PROGRAM WILL INCLUDE JAZZ CONCERTS, 5K RUNS, ETC. AND ENCOURAGE OUR NEIGHBORS TO DISCOVER THE SHOPPING, DINING, AND ENTERTAINMENT OPTIONS.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.SAFETY IS A CONTINUOUS ISSUE. PRESENTLY, SPEEDING AND CROSS TRAFFIC PATTERNS ARE THE MAIN ISSUES. WHEN QUENTIN ROAD IS WIDENED FROM FIELD PARKWAY NORTH OF ROUTE 12 THIS WILL REDUCE THE CROSS TRAFFIC PATTERNS. THE CONSTRUCTION IS SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETED WITHIN THE NEXT TWO YEARS, THE LAKE COUNTY SHERIFF HAS SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED THE POLICE PRESENCE, AND SERVICE LEVEL IN DEER PARK. THE VILLAGE, RESIDENTS, AND SHERIFF ARE ADDRESSING THESE SAFETY ISSUES AND TAKING CORRECTIVE ACTIONS.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?THIS COMING FISCAL YEAR THE VILLAGE WILL SAVE TAXPAYERS $1.2M. 1) THE VILLAGE OF DEER PARK ELECTRICITY AGGREGATION PROGRAM WILL SAVE RESIDENTS $ 600,000. 2) THE VILLAGE'S TRIANGLE COMMERCIAL AREA WILL SAVE PROPERTY AND BUSINESS OWNERS $ 200,000 WHEN DEER PARK BOND REFINANCING IN THE SPECIAL SERVICE AREA (SSA) AT LOWER INTEREST RATES IS COMPLETED. 3) THE CHANGE TO THE LAKE COUNTY SHERIFF POLICE WILL SAVE THE VILLAGE $400,000. THIS COMBINED WITH DISCOUNTS FROM CONTRACTORS, THE VILLAGE WILL COMPLETE MORE PROGRAMS WITH THE AVAILABLE FUNDING.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLAN