Kevin Waldenstrom: 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: GrayslakeWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Grayslake Village Board Age: 41Family: Married to Tracy with two childrenOccupation: Owner of a mold inspection and remediation company, Commercial and Residential Real Estate BrokerEducation: Graduate of Grayslake Community High School Columbia College -- B.S. Business Administration with a concentration in Management Certified Mold Remediator Certified Mold Inspector Licensed Illinois Managing Real Estate BrokerCivic involvement: Member of Grayslake Chamber of Commerce Member of Grayslake Historical Society Board Member Grayslake Farmers Market Board Member Grayslake Heritage Center committee Cub Scout Pack 91 Den Leader and Committee Member AYSO Girls Soccer Coach AYSO RefereeElected offices held: Grayslake Village Trustee May 2009 - PresentQuestions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I have a diverse background, including experience in zoning and land usage, finance, construction (industrial, commercial and residential), environmental issues (air quality and building science), management, and even snow-plowing. This extensive background enables me to understand the issues that come before the board in depth.How would you describe the condition of your community's budget, and what are the most important specific actions the town should take to assure providing the level of services that people want?We have a sound budget. The village has been debt free for many years we need to continue our course of out-sourcing and being proactive in seeking grants for our shovel ready projects.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?Grayslake has a balanced budget and is debt free. The Village has been controlling costs and keeping it's growth below the rate of inflation through out-sourcing, process improvements, public-private partnerships, government to government partnerships. Ensuring that these polices -- which have maintained Grayslake's strong financial position -- are maintained is my top priority.Is the village doing enough to attract business development? Please elaborate.In these tough economic times many communities are trying to attract business development. We have helped organize the Grayslake Business Partnership which is a private sector based recruitment organization. The Partnership is tasked with business attraction, expansion and retention. We have also contracted with Buxton, a market research firm, to target retail companies who would make a good fit in the Grayslake market. We continue to support the Economic Development Committee and the Grayslake Chamber of Commerce.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?If through our Grayslake Partnership or Buxton we find a restaurant that would be a great fit for the DDR property and that property isn't fully developed yet it would be nice if we could find a way to build it on the 83 corridor with views of Central Park.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?The route 83 corridor. Right now this area being is not being used to it's highest and best use. We have been working on transitioning it from a residential to a commercial, but this takes time. This is a main road through the village and it will greatly enhance our town.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Gary Sinise. He is a local guy who is a supporter of many veterans' organizations.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Don't say "I can't". You always need to try and if you say you can't before you try, you will never succeed.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Life is based largely on decisions one has made and it doesn't give do-overs. We need to learn from our mistakes to make future choices.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Entrepreneurship, We talked about finance, ethics, management and other topics. It was a great all around course and taught me to see the big picture.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?"Always try" You will never reach your full potential unless you try first.