Rodney Craig: 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: Hanover ParkWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Hanover Park Village President (4-year Term)Age: 64Family: Married 1969, Son Brian, girlfriend Marcy Mendez, Daughter Kim Swanson, Son-in-law Troy Swanson, grandchildren Skylar, Parker, and Lainey.Occupation: Mayor, retired FAAEducation: Concordia University, BA, Organizational Management Harper College Certificate in ElectronicsCivic involvement: Mayor Village Hanover Park Executive Board Campanalli Y President DuPage Mayor Managers Executive Committee CMAP with Mayor's Caucus Chairman Elgin-O'Hare Tollway Advisory Committee Executive Committee Choose DuPage Executive Committee DuCommElected offices held: Village President Hanover Park, Trustee Village of Hanover ParkHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Economic growth and developmentKey Issue 2 Sustainability of Public ServicesKey Issue 3 Education and Job opportunities for all residents of our Multi-cultural community.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?My passion to represent the people of Hanover Park in a fair and equitable manner. To improve our quality of life and assure every child is capable of success.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.Hanover Park is a community that values a balanced budget that receives its resources in a balanced manner from residents, businesses, and taxes from the State. Our Finance Committee works diligently to make sure the interests of the homeowners is fair and equitable.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 big question is the sustainability of pensions. Pensions are the responsibility of State legislators to manage responsibly. In Illinois the needs of the political process trumps the needs of the taxpayer. The solution is with Leadership in the State. There are those like Representative Nekritz who work hard to find a solution and there are those who fear the risk of losing their support of the unions and seek more taxes to cover up for their inability to solve the problem. A problem not caused by those who faithfully paid their fair share into the pension system.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?Hanover Park is not a staff rich government. We have minimized heavy overhead and enhanced fire and police on the street. We manage our funds to assure the dollars are saved to make purchases at the lowest dollar amount and our prognosis for the future with any turnaround in the economy will benefit us greatly.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?initiate a bike path along the DuPage River from Walnut Longmeadow to Arlington and Greenbrook.