Joe Tournier: 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: CaryWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Twitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Cary Village Board Age: Candidate did not respond.Family: Candidate did not respond.Occupation: Industrial SalesEducation: AB Loyola University of ChicagoCivic involvement: I have been involved since 1996 as I was appointed to the Planning Commission and from 1997 to 2016 I was on the Board of Zoning, Planning and Appeals. I was Chairman of that board for over ten years.Elected offices held: Candidate did not respond.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I have resided in Cary for the past 28 years and I have been involved with the village Board of Zoning, Planning and Appeals for 19 years. This Experience has given me some insight into the current issues that the village is facing. It has always been, and will continue to be, my focus to be an honest and independent voice of reason that will always support positions that best service the residents and provide for the long term viability of the village.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.Depending upon who you ask or what you read, McHenry Country has some of the highest property taxes in the nation. As a member of the Cary ZPA we reviewed and presented the latest revision to the Comprehensive Plan. We then recommended, without dissent, a motion to the Board of Trustees to concentrate our development efforts in attracting new commercial, retail and industrial businesses.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 Village of Cary does not control the fire department that services our village. However, I do believe the Police Department does suffer from a shortage of officers. Further, given the current atmosphere, I believe that body cameras for the officers should be a priority item.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?Village staff at a committee of the whole on February 21st released a list of capital projects, their costs, and our expected revenue. The projects over the next 5 year plan cycle would cost approximately $33-$34 million and expected revenue is approximately $14-$15 million. It is obvious that the priority list has to be discussed and the time line extended. If elected I would welcome the opportunity to work on these items with the other trustees and staff to assure we obtain the projects in a fiscally responsible manner.What is one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?Since the adoption of the new Comprehensive plan there have been only a few new businesses attracted to our community. There have been, however, more residential developments. We must shift our focus from residential to commercial, retail, and industrial businesses. We should measure all future development and perhaps all expenditures against the Comprehensive Plan as that is the tool we decided to use to enhance the village.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Village staffing needs to be evaluated as to what is needed vs what is desired. There seems to be a shortage of staff to do the work we are asking them to do.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Paul Ryan - Speaker of the U.S. House of RepresentativesWhat is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Team Work - cooperation between myself and my brothers and sister.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I'm happy with the choices I have made in life and will live with the results both good and bad.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?History. The proverb "the more things change, the more they stay the same" is indeed true.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?There is a moral code of conduct for everyone: God,Family,Country, Honor, and Duty. How you define and live these terms will define you.False740876Joe Tournier, running for <a href="/news/politics/election/race/Cary-Village-Board/">Cary Village Board</a> False