Robert Hajek: 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: NapervilleWebsite: www.hajekforcouncil.comOffice sought: Naperville City Council Age: 47Family: Lisa (wife), Sons Nathan(8), Jonathan(8)and Michael(1)Occupation: SalesEducation: DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois,Master of Science in Taxation 1995, National Louis University, Evanston, Illinois, Master of Science in Management, 1991 and Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Bachelor of Science-Business 1989.Civic involvement: I currently serve as the Treasurer of the Tall Grass HOA, volunteer for PADS through St. Thomas Church at Hesed House, and am very active in all of my children's sporting activities.Elected offices held: This is my run at a political office.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I am a long time Naperville resident who is fiscally conservative. My accounting and tax background along with 22 years of business experience make me an ideal candidate to make sound business decisions for the people of Naperville. I have young children in schools, aging parents and large family base here in Naperville that gives me a broad perspective across a wide segment of Naperville.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.I think Naperville has a truly unique brand as a place you want to live as well as go to school and enjoy the downtown area. With that brand comes a cost and our present level of local sales and property tax appear to be in line with maintaining that type of destination. With fiscally responsible future planning and budgeting we will be able to keep taxes in check.Early projections for the fiscal year 2016 budget showed a $12 million deficit. What can the city do to avoid future budget deficits? Where can the city save money or make cuts?The city needs to balance the revenue against the prioritization of the needs of the residents. We need to maximize economies of scale in purchasing and allocation of resources within and across municipalities. In addition, we need to ensure both sales tax and real estate tax are sustainable.What additional regulations, if any, should the city council impose on bars and liquor license holders to help keep the downtown night life safe? What do you think of the restrictions recently created, such as relating to late-night entry, shot sales, beer sizes, drink specials and security training?I believe the regulations initiated so far appear to be helping minimize some of the issues. However more can be done. One of the biggest deterrents is more police presence. The police should be more visible around the bars as well as on the main roads leading out of downtown Naperville. In addition training and education for bar personnel along with incentives to bar owners to serve and conduct business responsibly will help.What should the city council's role be in bringing businesses to town? Should businesses be allowed to bring in proposals under code names, such as "Project Panda"? What do you think of the decision to approve the SKF development at Warrenville and Freedom roads before informing the public of what the development would be?The council should be an integral part of helping business develop and prosper in Naperville. I believe in full transparency. No decisions should be made unless done in a public forum. The council needs to ensure responses to business needs and questions are addressed in a timely manner.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?I believe in retaining and attracting small and large business,ensuring our streets and city are safe, and keeping a watchful eye on the presence of drugs and the effect they are having on our community. Drugs have depicted Naperville in a negative light in recent years and poses a threat to the positive brand that Naperville has come to project in Illinois. More importantly, our fight against them needs to be focused on protecting the people in our community from the dangerous effects of drugs.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Pope FrancisWhat's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?My Mom and Dad taught us how to take care of ourselves and to be accountable for our actions.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would spend more time with my Grandpa and my Dad. Life is short and you never know when it will be your time.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Statistics and it gave me insight on how to interpret numbers and apply them to problem solving and decision making.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Be the hardest working person in the room, be thankful and stay humble.