William Harper: 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: StreamwoodWebsite: http://www.bchforstreamwood.orgOffice sought: Streamwood Village Board (4-year Terms)Age: 62Family: Married, 6 children, 9 grandchildrenOccupation: Corporate ManagementEducation: BA Business Administration, Governor's State Unitersity, 1980 MBA-Governor's State University, 1982Civic involvement: AmvetsElected offices held: Village Trustee, Village of Streamwood, 1989-PresentHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Keeping taxes and fees as low as possible while delivering the proper amount of services to village residents.Key Issue 2 Avoiding debt as a means to deliver services, except in the case of long term capital improvements (ie, buildings, using debt as the mortgage)Key Issue 3 Insuring that village infrastructure, vehicles, and equipment are kept up to date, and doing so on a cash basis.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?24 years of experience in Streamwood village government, and 36 years of business management experience, including budgets, strategic planning, cost analysis, construction, personnel, contracts, and operations.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.Local sales taxes have not been changed during this economic downturn, except for a food beverage tax, which is also used by surrounding communities. The sales tax structure in Streamwood is the lowest possible needed to deliver services and maintain the financial health of the village. The objective is to have a balanced revenue stream that does not rely too heavily on any one source. Streamwood revenue is balanced with 24% of revenue from property tax, 23% from enterprise sources such as water, sewer, and golf fees, and the balance from all other sources such as sales tax, user fees, fines, grants, and utility taxes. This 53% of other sources is primarily based on usage, rather than a flat fee which is a heavy burden on lower income families.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.People are always concerned about gang activities, for which Streamwood has a zero tolerance policy. Our enforcement effort in this area is pro-active to attempt to stop the violence, remove graffiti, and intervene where possible. It is a difficult task which I believe our staff is addressing as well as it can be done, within the limits of constitutional requirements.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 Village of Streamwood has been cutting costs for the past 3 years. Every purchase is examined for need, cost effectiveness, and long term benefit. Every item that is not essential has been deferred. Our goal has been to provide each department with the proper tools to get the job done. Each of our employees have to have a liveable wage and benefits that provide for their families and retirement. We looked at trimming things like Summer Celebration, fireworks, and branch pickup in an effort to cut costs. However, these items represent small amounts of money and would reduce the quality of life for our residents. I have had many residents thank me for not cutting these items at a time when they face tight personal budgets and forgo vacations and other forms of entertainment. There are always areas of the budget that we could give more money to, however, the mark of good government it to resist the temptation to spend, except for what is needed. It is important to provide our residents with the best possible services at the lowest possible cost. Taking money from them that is unnecessary does our residents a disservice that they can ill afford.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?Fortunately, the village uses annual planning sessions to set goals and objectives for the coming year. Our latest effort has been to address the diversity of our community and to attempt to include residents of all backgrounds as a viable part of the community. In some cases there are language and culture barriers that prevent a full understanding of the village, laws and services that are available. We are trying to change that, and I do not believe the public in general is fully aware of our efforts.