George Brust: 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: HampshireWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Twitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Hampshire Village Board Age: Candidate did not respond.Family: Married to Barbara and have 3 adult children.Occupation: RetiredEducation: Some collegeCivic involvement: Coon Creek Country Days committee, Burlington-Hampshire Food Pantry, Kane County voter registrar and election judge, video recorded Coon Creek parades, Veterans' Memorial Day Celebrations, repaired State St. Christmas light decorations. Established Hampshire Forest Preserve as an "Important Bird Area".Elected offices held: Hampshire Village Board Trustee (2005 to present) Chairman of Hampshire Public Safety and Economic Development Committees, member of the planning zoning committee, Village Liquor Commission, Kane County Natural Hazard Mitigation Committee, Metro West Council of Government Legislative Committee.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?As a Trustee for 12 years I have continued to work for the safety and well-being of the residents, giving personal attention to individual concerns.As Public Safety Chairman for 8 years, I instituted leasing of squad cars, early paving of Route 72, acquired thousands of dollars of mosquito larvacide free, FEMA reimbursement for flooding and blizzard expenses, Red Cross coordination 2007 flooding, disaster evacuation plans coordinated with Township and Fire District, a large group gathering ordinance, 2 multi-channel frequency decoders that enable Hampshire Police and Fire District to communicate with 12 other radio frequencies, US Cellular antenna tower located on Village property.Currently as Chairman of Economic Development have worked with Hampshire Chamber and a group of interested residents and business leaders to promote new business with informational brochures and provided help to existing business through the ECC Small Business Development Center. Way-Finding signs were installed on State Street to bring exposure to existing downtown businesses and a confirmation from businesses in the industrial park to participate in new signage on Allen Road.For 12 years I have been the Village representative to the Metro West Council of Government and a non-administrative member of their legislative committee. I have a working relationship with 2 State Senators, 2 State Representatives, Kane County Board Chairman, Congressional Representative and 22 Municipal Mayors.I also serve on the planning/zoning committee and liquor commission, have only missed two meetings in my three terms, I arrive on time and always prepared.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.Hampshire is a non-home rule municipality and cannot increase the sales tax beyond a 1/4 cent increase without a referendum, therefore during budget meetings we prioritize the best use of what we are able to collect. Economic development within the business community will enhance receipt of sales tax and motor fuel tax. Housing has taken an upturn with one development completed and two others nearing completion. This will provide an increase in property tax collection without increasing the taxing rate. we are subject to the tax cap and can only get what is allowed.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?The Hampshire Police Department is proactive when it comes to the safety of the citizens. In addition to their regular patrol duties, they offer their time and services to the various community groups informing them of the many scams and how to avoid them, providing the do-not-call number to try and offset robocalls and information on how to protect themselves and homes. I am proud to say that the Hampshire Police Department and Hampshire Fire Protection District have entered into a "Bring Me Home Safe" program for those suffering from dementia/Alzheimer's or other mental conditions. The Hampshire Fire Protection District is planning for a second location to the North at the tollway truck stop.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?To trim the budget anymore a better word would be scalping it. We budget for the necessities and put everything else on a wish list. We are unable to budget any funds for economic development and that put limits on access to the International Shopping Center Convention.What is one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?Hampshire being located between Rockford and Chicago, a convention center and landing facilities for private business aircraft would add to Hampshire's amenities in the "I90" Golden Corridor.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Economic growth on all 3 of our major highways,Rt.72, Rt.47 and Rt.20. The start up of the 600+ acre Brier Hill Crossing industrial/commercial project, the completion of the comprehensive plan revision. To get the State to stop unfunded mandates,stop diverting funds that are due to municipalities into the State's coffers. Grant us home rule authority to get better loan conditions both length of time and interest amounts to name a few.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Too difficult to answer at this time.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Nothing is really free.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?A chance to further my education.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Shop classes/stage crew. To work in harmony with others.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?That their family is important and always come first.