Bob Burke: 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: AntiochWebsite: noneTwitter: ----Facebook: ----Office sought: Antioch Village Board Age: 72Family: Wife = Karen BattermanOccupation: Retired-Can devote time to be effective TrusteeEducation: BA Marquette UniversityCivic involvement: President of the 350-member Antioch Senior Center Council.Elected offices held: President of the Antioch Senior Center CouncilQuestions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I am not a politician but a 23 year resident seeking a single term on the Village Board.As a credentialed management consultant - having served companies including General Motors, State Farm Insurance and Loyola University - I believe I can bring a consultant's approach to solving problems or seizing opportunities for the village.In addition to regular trustee business, I will serve as a proven advocate for Antioch senior citizens.My work as president of the 350- member Antioch Senior Center and additional research has prepared me for this focus.Furthermore, I strongly believe it essential that the 15% or 20% of our residents who are seniors require and have earned this representation on the Board. Note: Antioch has dedicated public officials, but a new trustee with a new perspective and fresh ideas would be a valuable addition to the Village Board.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.Current taxes are necessary to operate the community at this time. However, any tax increase would be burdensome particularly for our senior residents.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?Currently police and fire coverage is adequate and well planned for the future. There are no safety concerns.However, because these departments require the bulk of Village funding, it is essential that they be monitored and benchmarked against other police and fire departments.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?The budget already reflects savings due to a large reduction in staff - further headcount cuts are not recommended if we are to maintain services at current levels.As corporate America has moved to recast pension programs, I believe government agencies should respond to this reality.I do believe additional funding could be delegated to increasing social and recreational activities for our senior community.What is one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?I believe we have a number of older residents who are anxious to volunteer to stay involved and "give back". Senior volunteers would require no budget, but could make a real contribution to the Village.Additionally, young people have shown an interest in community service and could be tapped for various projects with no salary required.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?I believe it is important for Village trustees to actively seek input from the community. This could be accomplished by actively promoting the practice of individual citizens attending and speaking at Board meetings.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.My wife - we have been together for over 40 years - she is a daily inspiration - far more than some distant "leader".What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Family is important and assures a firm footing in the basics such as respect, caring and learning.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would work at what I enjoy regardless of the compensation.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?History - I learned to research and to read and write effectively - these skills have served me well.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Work at what you enjoy.