Steven Trilling: 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: Buffalo GroveWebsite: www.stevetrilling.comOffice sought: Buffalo Grove Village Board Age: 58Family: Lilia Trilling, wife David Trilling, son Lauren Trilling, daughterOccupation: Commercial General ContractorEducation: BS Industrial EngineeringCivic involvement: Former Board Member - Congregation Beth AmElected offices held: Buffalo Grove Village Trustee since 2002Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I am the best candidate because I have served the Village of Buffalo Grove community for over 22 years. Since 2002, I have represented the community as a Village Trustee. Prior to that, I served on the Plan Commission (7 years) and the Appearance Commission (2 years). I have a BS in Industrial Engineering and am licensed as an Illinois Professional Engineer. I believe that my professional background allows me to view issues facing the Village from a unique business standpoint. My work experience in real estate, construction and development allows me to understand developers and consultants in ways that other candidates possibly cannot. On numerous projects, I have provided counsel and direction to Village staff and Board colleagues enabling the Village to save time and money. I have been an active participant in the American Cancer Society Relay for Life, Interfaith Thanksgiving Service, Buddy Baseball, Step Out - Walk to Stop Diabetes, BG Days Fun and Food program for persons with disabilities, and the Chamber / Village Charity Softball game benefiting the Village's Chaplaincy Program. Maybe most importantly, I remain open-minded and listen to all parties that come before the Board, carefully considering all issues and potential outcomes before making a decision. I am a candidate that is supportive of all neighborhoods and focused on all issues, not just one neighborhood or one issue. Public service is critical to the vitality of the Village and I believe I have effectively served the best interests of ALL of its residents.Should the Buffalo Grove golf course and municipal campus ever be re-developed? Now that the downtown proposal is dead, tell us what is your vision for that property going forward.I learned a long time ago not to use the words "ever" or "never". The needs and desires of a community evolve over time and I have always been prepared to listen to all interested parties; residents, businesses, Village staff, development professionals, other taxing bodies, etc. about any proposed development within our Village. With that being said, I am an avid golfer and enjoy playing both Village owned golf courses. A challenge we face is the need to find a sufficient revenue model for the golf courses to continue their operation and benefit the Village as a whole. The Village has been subsidizing their operation for a number of years and substantial physical improvements will be required within the next 5 years. A source of funds to support those improvements must be found in order for them to continue. The golf course property must be viewed within the greater context of a comprehensive economic development plan determining the Village's strengths and weaknesses for all potential development corridors. A first step in developing this plan was initiated by the recent hiring of the Village's first ever "Community Development Director" whose primary responsibility will be to develop this plan for Board review while managing the Village's Planning, Zoning, and Building Departments. Ultimately we must do all we can to develop additional revenue streams for the Village which will support our future needs.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?During the 4th quarter of each year, the Village Board spends a significant amount of time reviewing and modifying staff's proposed annual Village budget. At the end of those 3 months, a balanced budget is presented for approval reflecting the alignment of available resources and necessary expenses to meet the Village's needs. If during the year, projected forecasts are not met, modifications can be made at the time of appropriation approval. Over the past 10 years, the Village Board has made difficult belt tightening decisions to maintain our financial strength and stability, which has enabled us to maintain a AAA bond rating. At this time the largest expense requiring additional funding is the street improvement program. Unfortunately, a significant amount of funding has been required to tackle the unanticipated Emerald Ash Borer problem. This infestation has required the removal and subsequent replacement of almost 3,000 Ash trees in our village. It is the Village Board's goal to accomplish this process as quickly as possible so that we may once again have healthy greenery on our front yards and parkways.According to the village engineer, Buffalo Grove faces enormous street reconstruction costs due to faulty road materials used in the 1970s and 1980s. How important is this for the village, where should Buffalo Grove find the money and how urgent is it to fix the roads?The road design used by Buffalo Grove in the 70's and 80's was the same as used by many municipalities throughout the State of Illinois and across the nation. This problem is not unique to the Village of Buffalo Grove and will require significant funds over the next 20 years to correct. Fortunately, the Village is not experiencing a catastrophic failure, rather deterioration over time. We are presently managing the street improvement program slightly behind the life cycle schedule that was originally established in the 1990's when improvement funds were more readily available. The cost for street improvements will have to come from a number of sources. The first of these is the State Shared Motor Fuel Tax collected by the State with the remaining amount coming from the Village. There will have to be a realignment of the Village budget to accommodate the additional expenses to be incurred. If new development and business growth does not provide additional sales tax generation, the Village Board will have to examine ways to save in other areas. While this may include the discontinuation of "non-essential" programs currently offered by the Village, we will do so in as judicious a manner as possible. Ultimately it is our goal to drive new revenue streams through new development and the replacement of businesses that have closed. I would like the residents to have the opportunity to spend dollars in their hometown at businesses that provide goods or services they need or desire.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?I would like to implement a program where annually the Village recognizes homeowners who provide substantial physical improvements to the street scape of their property. The program could be divided by general location, such as properties located south of Dundee Road, Dundee Road to Lake Cook Road, Lake Cook Road to Deerfield Road, Deerfield Road to Half Day Road, and lastly those north of Half Day Road. The criteria used for judging could be based on improvements made to landscaping, paving, home elevations, etc. The benefits to the homeowner and Village would be multifold; improving the streetscape of the community, providing a sense of pride for the homeowner, and raising the valuation of the individual property and community as a whole.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?I believe the biggest challenge for the Village, and the Village Board, is to balance the aggressive pursuit of new business development within the village while maintaining our fiscal stability. I am committed to being fiscally conservative and continuing to spend within our means. We need to be "business friendly" and review all reasonable proposals that will increase our sales tax base while not having a negative impact on our neighborhoods and the quality of life across the Village.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Warren Buffett for his hard work, business acumen, simple lifestyle and philanthropy.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?In the end, all you've got is the good name you have made for yourself, there is nothing else you can take with you.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Life's experiences have shaped who I am today therefore I wouldn't change a thing.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?My favorite subject was mathematics and that foundation enabled me to become a successful engineer and business owner.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Be honest and truthful in all your dealings in life.