Jim Daluga: 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: BarringtonWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Barrington Village Board Age: 57Family: Married to Nancy for 34 years. Three Children - Jim 29 (Dana), Molly 26, and Mimi 22. One Grandchild - Cecelia Ann 3 months.Occupation: VP, Procurement Quality AssuranceEducation: Bachelor of Science (Finance) - Northern Illinois University Masters of Business Administration - Loyola University of ChicagoCivic involvement: Village of Barrington Trustee - 12 years Chair of Finance and Administration Committee - 10 years Alternate Board Member, Barrington Area Council of Governments (BACOG) Finance Committee Member - BACOG Lector - St. Anne Catholic ChurchElected offices held: Village Trustee, Village of BarringtonQuestions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?My experience of the last 12 years as a Village Trustee has afforded me a unique perspective of how to see projects and objectives through to completion. It has also allowed me the ability to see how all Village services i.e. public safety, public works, economic development, finance and personnel work together to support the vision of creating a Village that is a great place to "Live, Work and Play". This combined with my many years in our family business that we have grown over 300% in the last 15 years has allowed me to apply management techniques that increase efficiencies, promote best practices and manage finances in a responsible manner. The conservative fiscal management of Barrington residents tax dollars has resulted in an increase of Barrington's bond rating to AA+. This improved bond rating has saved Barrington residents over $100,000. I am proud to have contributed to this and for being involved with accomplishing a balanced budget for the last 12 years.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.Barrington is a non-home rule community. Therefore the level of local sales tax is limited by State legislation to 1%. Property taxes are also capped by the lesser of 5% or the Consumer Price Index per State legislation. The amounts collected by these tax sources are therefore dependent on changes in retail sales and variations in equalized assessed values of property. Increases in retail sales is being promoted by the Village by encouraging development of new vibrant businesses in town including those that will soon open in the new Hough/Main development. Property tax revenues will also be enhanced by this new development as well as the many improvements in buildings taking place now in the Village.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?Since Inverness started their own police force several years ago and the Barrington Countryside Fire Protection District (BCFPD) began contracting for firefighter/paramedic services with a private company in January 2014, Barrington has been able to size and equip the police force and firefighter/paramedic coverage more suitably for the needs of the residents of Barrington. Our police department is very well prepared for years to come and is under the direction of a Police Chief who worked his way up through the ranks and is doing an excellent job. Since the split with BCFPD, the Fire Department has been able to decrease response times on calls by over 50%. This is a tremendous improvement in service to our citizens and we will continue to ensure that the department is manned and equipped to provide our citizens the very best in firefighter and paramedic services.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?The Village Board and Village Staff are continually looking for ways to innovate and streamline processes in order to do more with less. The vast majority of the Village Budget is devoted to salaries and benefits and it is therefore extremely important to make personnel as efficient as possible. Operational spending has decreased since 2008 and will continue to be monitored to ensure that services are delivered at a reasonable cost to residents. Additional infrastructure and capital improvements will be considered as revenues allow. I will also continue to support the Village policy that only major capital improvements and not operational expenses be funded with bond revenues.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?I would like to see the power lines along Route 14 buried underground in order to eliminate the unsightly power poles that run through our town. As of now the funding is not available for such a large project, but as technologies advance, I hope costs come down to a point that this may one day be possible.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?The grade separation of the Canadian National (CN) railroad tracks from Route 14 is crucial to ensure the safety and well being of everyone in Barrington. The increasing rail traffic from CN makes it imperative for us to secure funding from CN and the Federal government in order to complete the project. I will continue to push this initiative along with my fellow Trustees and the Village President until we see this critical project completed. The completion of the Hough/Main development is also a very important issue. This new development will not only generate additional activity and vibrancy in our Village, but will become the catalyst for future development, both commercial and residential. Finally, the restoration of the Barrington White House is important to our future. This community cultural center will add to the character of our Village allowing us a place to gather for special occasions in an iconic building that has become a Barrington treasure.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Thomas Sowell, economist. Mr. Sowell speaks and writes from a position of honesty and reality that I admire and respect.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Treat everyone you meet with kindness and respect.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I may wish to have avoided some things in my life, but I have no regrets.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?I really enjoyed economics in college. It gave me an appreciation for how the decisions we make influence so many other people and institutions.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Make the right choices. It's the only way you will leave this world without regrets.