Steven Young: 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: Oak BrookWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Oak Brook Village Board (4-year Terms)Age: 46Family: Married, one childOccupation: Environmental Health, Safety, and Security ConsultantEducation: Bachelors, Loyola University, 1988 Masters of Business Administration (MBA) University of Notre Dame, 2005Civic involvement: US Coast Guard Auxiliary, Active since 1999 Illinois Medical Emergency Response Team (IMERT), Active since 2005Elected offices held: Village of Oak Brook, Zoning Board Official, 2000 - Present Village of Bensenville, Pollution Control Official, 1995 - PresentHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: No.Candidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 The Village needs to live within its budget. With in this issue, we need to look at how we handle unexpected risk such as pension problems with the previous police administration and lawsuits like Westmont and the Skybar. In these examples, we need to see how we can reduce unplanned attorney fees that impact the Village's budget and ability to service it's residents.Key Issue 2 We need to see how we can restore the luster of Oak Brook to younger families. Oak Brook is losing it's population. At the same time, we have an aging population that is losing it's purchasing power due to the economy. The Village has started a great program with the Residential Enhancement Committe, but we need to look at how we can build upon it.Key Issue 3 If the referendum is passed, we need to look at building a new school in Oak Brook that serves combined school districts. It is important that the deal benefits all parties in Oak Brook including District 53, the Sports Core, and other neighborhoods that want to join.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?For more than a decade, I have experience in serving municipal, county, and Federal agencies as a subject matter expert in zoning, environmental health, safety, and technology. Under four separate administrations, my experience includes 12 years on the Oak Brook Zoning Board of Appeals. I am also an author of nine books on environmental regulation including topics such as municipal emergency accident response and industrial property assessmentGiven 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.The tax rate is right for the moment; however, there is always opportunities to reduce it. Oak Brook increased the sales tax rate a couple of years ago. I support the concept of making governmental units more accountable for the revenue they spend. Instead of looking for more revenue, local government, like any efficient business, should continue to look for ways to maximize the way they use revenue they receive.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.Our neighbors are concerned with the service that border neighborhoods are receiving. In particular, they are concerned with the service levels that the consolidated 911 systems are providing. We need to continue monitor and enforce better emergency service levels on border neighborhoods. Our neighbors are also concerned with other municipalities installing red light and speed cameras on Oak Brook's borders by Oak Brook Terrace. If elected, I would strive to eliminate automated traffic controls designed to maximize local government revenue at the expense of resident's income. The proposed redlight cameras will also drive shoppers away from Oak Brook as they did with Schaumburg. Because of issues with the previous administration, we also need to look at police and fireman morale. There is a correlation between public safety morale and servicing the community. We need to treat our public safety staff with respect they deserve.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?I support the idea of governmental accountability in billing for services. A good place to start looking for budget variances is in 3rd party contractor and attorney fees. If elected, I would support the idea of a audit committee to examine Village contract billing further as a longer term solution. I also support the idea of forming cooperatives where appropriate with other govenmental agencies and communities to leverage purchasing strength.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?The local economy in Oak Brook still needs improvement. There are two critical properties that need better development. I recommend looking at how the old Drake Hotel property is being developed. It was a landmark institution that brought in many visitors to Oak Brook. We also need to look at parking and building use at 22nd Street and York Road. The developer has done a great job in bringing in clients; however, other building parts have difficulty attracting commercial customers.