Thomas Hood: 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: GurneeWebsite: https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/thomas-hoodOffice sought: Gurnee Village Board (4-year Terms)Age: 52Family: Married to Pam (31 years) with two children Zak - age 22 and Dan age - 19.Occupation: Attorney for 27 years in the Village of GurneeEducation: Graduated 1978 Warren Township High School Graduated 1981 B.S. in Management University of Illinois at Chicago Graduated 1985 The John Marshall Law School, Juris DoctorateCivic involvement: Exchange Club of GurneeElected offices held: NoneHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 To encourage increased cooperation among the Village government, businesses, schools, churches and civic organizations that results in a better environment in which to live and also reduces the cost of living in the Village of Gurnee.Key Issue 2 To continue to build upon the strong foundation of prior Village of Gurnee administrations with an emphasis on increasing revenue, containing expenses and improving Village services.Key Issue 3 To continue to strengthen the safety provided the residents of the Village of Gurnee through the fire and police department and to continue to secure the financial future of the Village of Gurnee by being fiscally conservative.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?That I love Gurnee. I was raised in Gurnee, my business is in Gurnee and I am heavily invested in seeing that Gurnee is successful. I was the Chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals for many years, I have been an attorney in Gurnee for 27 years and have worked with the Village in those capacities. I have a working relationship with those currently in the Village and am confident that I can work well with them and be an asset to the Village in its future development.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.At this very moment with the level of income derived from sales tax the revenue acceptable and therefore should remain the same. However,given the turbulent economy how money is spent and the revenue that we receive must be constantly reevaluated. It is fine balance between keeping taxes the same and also maintaining the present level of services.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.Currently, there has been some local break-ins so my neighbors have been especially vigilant. The police department has been very responsive in supporting neighborhood watches and sending extra patrols through our part of town. Therefore the issue is being addressed but it has my neighborhood understandably concerned.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 in my opinion is appropriate for the times and I do not find any particular item that needs to be trimmed. There are a number of areas that could use more money but the ones that stand out to me is an investment in the infrastructure of the Village as well as additional firemen to reduce the current overtime expenditures.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?My number one campaign issues revolves around getting individuals,businesses, churches and civic organizations increasingly working together and contributing. Additionally, I would like to see our connectedness with the Villages around us increase. Currently, this is already taking place to a certain extent and I would like to be a part of seeing it become a fabric of who we are as a Village. This provides for a more enjoyable place to live and also can reduce the cost of living here in Gurnee.