Joseph Hirschbein: 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: Pingree GroveWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Twitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Pingree Grove Village Board Age: 41Family: Wife: Melissa Sons: Leighton, 14 and Graham, 12Daughter: Elizabeth, 1Occupation: Exterior Remodeling SalesEducation: College of DuPage: Associates DegreeSouthern Illinois University: 1 yearCivic involvement: Pingree Grove Community Events Committee MemberElected offices held: Candidate did not respond.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I have been a resident of Pingree Grove for 5 years and want the best for the town. My 20 years of construction knowledge, business management, resources and sales, will be helpful to the community.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.Pingree Grove is in need of a property tax restructure. When residents understand the tax breakdown, they are perceptive to the low amount that actually goes back to the Village. The current Pingree Grove Village portion of the tax bill is approximately 3% of the total bill.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?Both the police and fire are improving efficiently as the town continues to grow. Pingree Grove recently hired an additional full time police officer. According to the SafeWise Report and Value Penguin, Pingree Grove is listed in the top 10 safest cities in Illinois. The fire department has a new fire station with state of the art equipment. Both police and fire participate in continuing education as the town continues to be one of the fastest growing towns.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?I believe the current budget is well prepared. More funds need to be allocated to public works. As the town continues to grow and the HOA turns parcels over, public works will need more man power, trucks, and equipment.What is one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?I am interested in bringing new retail to Pingree Grove. Pingree Grove has multiple acres available for retail development. This would create new tax revenue for the town along with jobs.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?I would like to build up the Heritage District - to create a destination for our residents and passer-bys from Route 20. This would create additional tax revenue for the town, along with more jobs and a communal vision.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Arnold Schwarzenegger came to the U.S. with goals to be the best bodybuilder, actor, and community leader. Most of his goals he set were achieved.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?With hard work, only you can determine your future.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I wish I would have gotten involved with Pingree Grove sooner.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?I use all aspects of math for measuring, estimating, budgets, and creating profit margins for business.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Follow your passions.