Robert Seminary: 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: Round Lake ParkWebsite: http://rlpbb.comOffice sought: Round Lake Park Village Board (4-year Terms)Age: 59Family: Married, three childrenOccupation: Electronic Security OwnerEducation: High SchoolCivic involvement: Police Pension Board 2000-2004 Police and Fire Commission 2001-2004 Chairman of Public Works Committee Mayors Alternate to CenCom Board Co-Chairman of Main Street Develpment Served as Chairman of Code Enforcement Served on Finance, Environmental and Planning and Zoning Committee's Participated in Village Summerfests, Oktoberfests, Bluesfest, Memorial and Fourth of July Parades Shop with a Cop 2008,2009 Holiday Tree Lighting Committee Halloween Safety Rides Christmas Tree Lightings Job Shadow Days National Night Out Chamber of Commerce Member 2009-2010 Member of the Better Business Bureau with an A+ Rating Donations of security equipment or labor to Villages of Hainesville, Round Lake Park, Round Lake Beach Police and, Round Lake Area Park DistrictElected offices held: Village trustee 2004 to presentHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Balance the Village budget, monitor all incoming and outgoing monies and begin a savings plan.Key Issue 2 Maintain our sewer upgrades to stay in compliance with the county and EPA standards.Key Issue 3 Bring our businesses to life. Attract the public to our town. Develop our southern corridor, convenience stores for our retirement community, Saddle Brook, and increase our tax base.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?9 years as a trustee, My experience as a local business owner. A village should be run similar to an independent business. No different except using tax payers money to operate. Too often the focus is how the dollars are spent versus where the pennies are spent. Small amounts here and there go unnoticed, but at the end of the year you see where things went wrong. My Intention is to balance the budget and enforce unnecessary spending.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 feel taxes are high (again I'm an independent business owner, but to keep afloat, they can't be lowered.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.Street lighting, sidewalks along busy streets, parking. I agree with lighting and sidewalks. With the economy, more and more people are walking and biking. As improvements are being made, such a Washington Street, sidewalks should be included. Upgrades are always costly, but a lot cheaper during a renovation. Parking is tough, but when you move to Round Lake Park, you should realize that there is restricted parking. All that should be taken into consideration before you purchase. To me, giving full access to an ambulance, police or fire vehicle is far more important than parking on a street.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 budget can be trimmed. The first order of operation is to spend only when needed. Get competitive quotes from all vendors to ensure we are getting the best for our money. Establish a vehicle replacement plan for departments. There is no need to continue to drive a 16 year old truck. Leasing may be a better option. Get rid of excess expenses; if we use it, keep it; if we don't need it, eliminate it.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?Look into working with our neighboring towns to help each other. Instead of paying for services, maybe we can trade/share services and knowledge.