Cary Collins: Candidate Profile

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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:BioQA Bio City: Hoffman EstatesWebsite: www.collinsradja.comOffice sought: Hoffman Estates Village Board Age: 67Family: Susan Collins, Shadow, SparkyOccupation: AttorneyEducation: Undergraduate BS/BA Juris DoctorateCivic involvement: Vivce Chairperson Judicial Inquiry Board of Illinois Past Officer: Hoffman Estates Chamber of Commerce Hoffman Estates Park District Foundation Chairperson American Cancer Society Hoffman Estates Unit Chair person American Cancer Society Northwest Suburban Unit Board member Northwest Chicago Business Association Illinois Park district Association JPAC, Conference CommiteeElected offices held: Elected as Village Trustee Hoffman Estates, Hoffman Estates Park District CommisionerQuestions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I believe I provide a level of leadership that the current Trustees lack. I have been known as an independent thinker, highly principled, and willing to question issues and the reasoning behind decisions that have been brought forward. My educational backgroundand experience as either Chairperson or member of more than 15 Committees and boards in the Village and Park Districtgive me unique insight into their inner workings. My experience on Statewide Commissions and Boards as well as the opportunity to work with the elected officials and staffs of the many Cities, Towns and Villages where I am legal Cousel also give me the unique ability to see how other locals manage their issues and problems.What is your opinion of your community's present level of local sales and property taxes? Is the tax just right, too low or too high? Explain.The Village has maxed out the sales tax rate. The property taxes were increased and I opposed that increase. It places a burden on the owners of the properties in the Village particularly the elderly and those with fixed or no income. I would like to see many of the taxes, fees and mandated functions rolled back to encourage businesses and and home ownership.Rate the efficiency of your town's police and fire coverage. Are the departments well prepared for the next decade? What, if anything, should be changed? Do you have specific public safety concerns?The Hoffman Estates Police and Fire departments are one of the best in the Chicago area. I have been opposed to the removal of ambulances from the Individual Fire stations as an "efficency". I believe our firefighters agree with me on the issue of the ambulances and we should listen to their opinions. I would like to make an agreement with the Bartlett Fire Protection Districts to cover certain areas such asBridalwood in unincorporated Cook County. I believe our police department has a good hold on the crime rate and is well prepared for any incidents which may arise. A little training or refresher in diplomancy is always good for police officers, who have a very difficult job.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?There are areas of the budget which can be trimmed and Ibelieve bringing in an " efficiency expert" to review the over lap in services with other Government Entities would be benficial. The Village has a huge burden with the financial effect of the Sears Centre. I have made numerous suggestions some of which have finally been followed but much work needs to be done. The claim that the Sears centre Is breaking even or profitable is not rue when you consider the Bond Payments for it's construction. The Public is not fooled and we need transparency on this. The Streets need more funding I have driven all over the Village and once efficent plan to redo the Streets and Sewr system has been pushed aside. We need to get back to the basics provide Police, Fire Services, Pick up waste keep the Streets in Repair and the Streets and Roads Plowed when it snows. There has been some progress with flooding in certain areas but when we have torencial rains we still have problems.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?I don't know what others have suggested but I can give you my own original idea. Ameritech on Lakewood will soon be vacant,Sears is likely to follow despite any "deals". The Village needs to have a master plan to utilize these areas. Hoffman Estates is a main transportation hub, close to O'Hare and International Trade. The Village has shown it can be multicultural and cosmopolitan. we need to ESTABLISH AN AREA FOR IMPORT AND EXPORT WITH TRADE SHOW FACILITIES. The unused area in Prarie Stone is a good start used some of the EDA to encourage trade related businesses.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?I am very upset about the transparency in the Village. Prior to my involvement on the Village Board "ignorance was bliss" of how business is conducted and how elected individuals egos grow changing people once they are in office. I have always believed there should be a limit on how many consecutive terms someone should be in office. I ran for two terms as a Trustee and would not run for a 3rd straight term. No one is so important that they need to be in office for more than 8 consecutive years. I will push, demand for a two term limit for Trustees and a maximum number of years to hold office in the Village. We need new voters and candidates we need representation for the various nationality and cultures in our Village. I am not indespensable and none of the present Trustees are either is it ego or can provide something for the residents. I feel and lot of people have asked me to return to the Village Board because I question decisions and issues which arise I have always done this to benefit our residents and hope to do it in the future I still ahve a lot to offer the citizens of Hoffman Estates.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Retired Federal Judge George LeightonWhat's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?You have to work for anything you want.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?EducationWhat was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?PhysicsIf you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Work hard, be fair treat others the way you would like others to treat you and always be true to your principals