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Eric Sindermann: Candidate Profile

Gurnee Village Board

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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: GurneeWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Gurnee Village Board Age: Candidate did not respond.Family: Candidate did not respond.Occupation: self employedEducation: -certificate in heating and a/c -certificate in law enforcement -a/a -b/s education/trainigCivic involvement: -active member/charitable work with a couple veteran organizations. -active volunteer work with the homeless. -previous civil service employee. -volunteered during local flooding, tornado cleanup in Washington, Illinois, etc. -have had regular involvement with nonprofit/volunteer organizations over the years.Elected offices held: none in the political arena.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?-Belief in open government, ensuring absolute transparency and accountability to the citizens. -Strong supporter of 'term limits' not a politician, not looking for a long standing position. -Independent, willing to voice any concerns, statements or questions brought force by citizen(s) or employee(s). -Raised since birth in Lake County, in Gurnee since 1979. Aware of citizen's concerns. -Bringing in a fresh approach, offering 100% support to the existing administration in efficiently and effectively serving the short and long term needs of our community.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.-Property tax is just right and we must do everything possible to keep it that way, not forcing the burden on the property owners. -User tax is the way to go. Our current rate of sales tax is a concern though. While there may not appear to be an immediate concern in small dollar purchases. We definitely put some unnecessary constraints on our large transactions. The auto industry, contractors, large item suppliers, etc., are adversely affected. At 8%, we definitely aid and/or nurture opportunity to send revenues to the south at 7% or just over the border at 5 1/2%. I believe we need to reevaluate the recent increase, purposing to help new and existing businesses (small and large alike) feel secure in operating here. Also, we need to protect and/or encourage keeping our resident's hard earned dollars locally spent.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 overall efficiency of our first responders is very good. Past and current efforts assure that we are well prepared for many years. This is exampled with recent and current efforts on the building of a new radio tower. I believe there is an excellent effort being made to maintain quick response times and a striving to always improve upon the safety and well being of our employees and our community. -I have no immediate/specific concerns regarding public safety or any changes within. As a whole, our personnel are doing a good job.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?-There is always room for 'trimming'. Especially in an economy where the taxpayer is forced to readjust and/or make personal cuts. With many voiced concerns by our residents regarding the future economy; nationally, statewide or locally and with unprecedented Nat'l State debt, I believe 'cutting budgets' must always take precedence over the unnecessary burdening of taxpayers and should be in the forefront of our thoughts. We should always implement safeguards in our community to protect our residents and our employees alike, from economic hardships.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?-Real time monitoring and/or a quicker releasing of 'meeting minutes'. The details need to be discussed, but their needs to be immediate/rapid disclosure made available to all our citizens in order to ensure the 'purest' intentions of government.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?-The infamous 'Casino' debate. This is not a push for or against bringing any type of gaming into Gurnee. With our surrounding communities discussing/advocating for it, I believe it is imperative to immediately institute on referendum "whether or not to allow gaming to come into Gurnee, (in general and/or specifics)". The people have a 'right to know' about this situation and must have full knowledge and/or information long before casinos begin appearing elsewhere. It is too important an issue to leave the taxpayers/residents out of! The discussions need to include all aspects of impact; moral ethical views of our people, impact on our children, safety concerns, jobs, immediate income potentials from having our own casino, other income potentials from business generated directly/indirectly from our own and/or neighboring casinos, their effects on property values, etc.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Anyone, military and civilian alike, who lost careers for speaking out against fast and furious, Benghazi, etc.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?My dad was one of the most generous people I knew, my mom the most resilient. I only hope I have gleaned their qualities.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Voice 'appreciation' to others who were so beneficial, influencial and necessary in my life. Parents, Teachers, Friends, Strangers, etc.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?History- in it lies all our mistakes, coupled with our successes. To ignore it is foolishness. Embracing it, only brings improvement.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Fear GOD, not men. Serve others, not self. True love gives without any hope or anticipation of reciprocity. Live this everything else will follow.