Jim Beaudoin: 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: Lake ZurichWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Twitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VoteJimBeaudoinForLakeZurichTrustee/Office sought: Lake Zurich Village Board Age: 43Family: Jim has three children; James (16), Morgan (15) and Andrew (11).Occupation: Business ExecutiveEducation: Graduate of Southern Illinois University. Jim graduated with honors while earning a BA in Administration and a minor in Political Science. He also played for the Saluki Football team where he earned Gateway Academic All Conference honors.Civic involvement: Volunteer coach for: Lake Zurich Flames Football, Lake Zurich Baseball and Softball Association (LZBSA), Lake County Lightning, Foglia YMCA Basketball, Foglia YMCA Flag Football, Barrington Youth Flag Football, Member of Fraternal Order of Elks, Past President of the Alumni Control Board - Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity (Eta Phi Chapter), Booster member for Ultimate Athletics Cheerleading Program, Booster member for the Lake Zurich Quarterback Club, Volunteer for Isaac Fox Elementary School and Lake Zurich Middle School South.Elected offices held: Lake Zurich Village Board of TrusteesQuestions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?While there are other great candidates running for office, I believe I am uniquely suited for the job for several reasons. First, I have the knowledge and background on key issues facing the Village of Lake Zurich. I have been involved and a part of the team that have made significant progress over the past four years. Additionally, I am a visible and active member of the community. This allows for my fellow residents to talk to me about ideas and provide input on the progress of the Village on a regular basis. Finally, as a business executive I possess a special business acumen and relationships that has served the residents and the Village well over the past four years.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 believe in small government and keeping taxes as low as possible without sacrificing service levels to our residents. However, taxes at the local level are complex issue especially with the limitations of non-home-rule communities. The ability to increase taxes are limited for non-home rule communities such as Lake Zurich. However, Lake Zurich continues to work within the budget constraints through effective leadership and fiscal management. Lake Zurich continuously is maned as one of the most affordable towns to live and I believe provides a great deal of value to the 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?Since my election four years ago, we have hired a new Police Chief and a new Fire Chief. Both hires have increased efficiency and effectiveness within their perspective departments. Specifically, the Police department went through a re-organization that included the flattening of the department. This eliminated some of our higher cost management positions and allowed these funds to be spent on adding more patrol officers. This process allowed for added services for the residents without additional costs. Additionally, we have invested into a new records management system, new communications equipment, and cameras that put Lake Zurich among the best prepared for the years ahead. I was part of a board that led the charge to utilize an independent organization to complete a comprehensive organizational review of the Fire Department. This review concluded that our Fire Department was among the most efficient trough the utilization of our jump crew fire houses. Additionally, we have also recently invested into the purchase of a new state of the art Ambulance, Fire Truck, AED equipment, and stretchers to ensure that the Department continues to be well equipped to service the residents of Lake Zurich. Although I feel very confident that our residents are getting the best possible service from both our Fire and Police departments I believe there is always room for continuous improvements and will work with staff to identify and improve our departments.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?Since my election four years ago, the Village Board and the staff have been able to achieve the highest bond rating "â#128;œ AAA. This was done through a lot of hard work, and constant continued analysis of all money spent. I believe the budget is a continuous process not a once a year project. As a Village Board member I am always looking for ways to reduce our expenses and maximize the return on all money spent. Conversely, although significant progress has been made since my election the Village needs to continue to find the resources to invest in infrastructure improvements. Examples include EAB tree replacements, water and sewer improvements and roadways. Additionally, Lake Zurich needs to continue to be weary of under-funded pensions for the police and fire departments and ensure that we will be able to meet state mandated funding levels.What is one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?When I was elected four years ago I wanted to explore the possibility of creating a Park District. The idea of creating a Park District has now been added to the Village's long term strategic plan. This is a step in the right direction, but I want to ensure that this idea is fully vetted and continues to be part of the Strategic Plan for the Village. As a longtime coach and parent I believe that we have the potential to improve tremendously on our current Parks. One way to realize this goal would be through the creation of a Park District, with its own revenue source and taxing body. As a child I enjoyed growing up in Elk Grove that has one of the finest Park Districts and subsequent facilities. As a coach, I envision that the creation of an independent district would allow the growth of our current programs and facilities for the entire Village. I realize that there will be significant obstacles to realizing such an idea, but I feel that the value to all of the families that have children playing soccer, football, baseball, hockey and all sports would see the benefit and warrants the time to continue exploring and developing.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Downtown development has long been an important issue for voters in Lake Zurich. Although significant progress has been made to the downtown are there are many factors that have contributed to the current situation including a by-pass of downtown and the purchase of non-continuous land by previous administrations. Since elected I have been a part of a team that has hired three new staff members with significant experience in City planning, torn down dilapidated buildings, marketed available Village owned property, developed a downtown action plan and created events in our downtown area to showcase the possibilities of the downtown area. While the hard work and efforts have started to pay dividends in the improvement in our downtown, businesses continue to be interested in the high density and high traffic areas of route 12 and 22. We need to continue our efforts and build density to attract the much-desired commercial properties and services, while investing in the development of street-scape improvements.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Jack Welch - Retired and chairman of GE. He perfected the art of the turn around for organizations.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?That family is forever, they will always be there for you no matter what happens in life.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Candidate did not respond.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?History, it taught me that we study history in order that we do not make the same mistakes again.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Ask yourself what you want, and then do what you have to do to achieve it.