Raymond Semple: 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: MundeleinWebsite: NATwitter: NAFacebook: NAOffice sought: Mundelein Village Board Age: 55Family: My wife Debbie (Herman) and I have been married for nearly 30-years. Deb grew up in Mundelein and graduated MHS. We have a son Joe who graduated MHS in 2008 and who is a police officer in Lake County. Our Daughter Maggi graduated MHS in 2011 and works in Vernon Hills. Both our kids reside in Mundelein. We also have a 2 year old golden retriever.Occupation: Equifax Property Data Analytics: SalesEducation: BS Elmhurst College 1983: Public Administration Urban StudiesI graduated Mundelein High School in 1979 where I played football, wrestled and was in theater. I also went through the complete Mundelein grade school system K-8.Civic involvement: Mundelein Village Trustee since 5/1995; I am also Mayor pro tem (vice-mayor) and chairman of the finance committee. I have served as Police Committee Chairman; Public Safety Committee Chairman and Public Works Committee Chairman as well.I was on the Mundelein Planning Commission 1985-95; chairman final 2 years.I had a short term on the Lake County Regional Planning Commission in 1994Elected offices held: Village Trustee in MundeleinQuestions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I have the experience; the education; the dedication and the passion for Mundelein that is needed to continue making Mundelein a great community to live in. I am 55 years old, a life long resident and am very proud of Mundelein and every decision I make is in the best interest of the entire Village and residents for the long-term. We have several projects and proposals before the board and a few more major developments are in the works that will be announced soon. I have the experience to help bring these projects to reality for the benefit of the entire community. My simple goal is to make Mundelein a place where my own kids want to live and raise their own families - and I'm proud of what we have done during my tenure - but there is still lots more to do. I encourage everyone to watch our Village Board meetings on our village web site or on our YouTube channel. Observe each trustee and the mayor and decide for yourself who truly has the best interests of Mundelein at heart. I have demonstrated that I am not using my position as a political stepping stone to higher office. I am truly grateful and honored to have been elected to serve - where I do all I can for Mundelein. I am all about Mundelein and what is best for our residents and businesses.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.Our sales taxes should not go any higher. Our property taxes, like all of Illinois are too high. Finding the balance of acceptable services while maintaining all of our above ground and below ground infrastructure so it lasts for generations to come is always a challenge. I have opposed other taxes like red light cameras, vehicle stickers, transfer taxes and other hidden fees. The village portion of the total tax bill is just under 15%. All households, businesses and people who even drive on Mundelein roads or need our emergency services benefit from that 15% of the tax bill that the Village of Mundelein accounts for.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?We restructured our senior leadership to have a Public Safety Director versus a Fire Chief and a Police Chief as individual department heads. This is a progressive concept that our staff has embraced as it has created some cost savings. Our police coverage is adequate. Our fire coverage needs to be addressed in terms of our staffing levels for the long term. In addition, I favor greater collaboration with neighboring agencies to provide seamless services on a regional basis. Our emergency response with our neighbors is second to none - but, I would like to emulate how well we work together during emergencies for our day to day operations. Perhaps we can do more sharing and collaborating with training, staffing, facilities and apparatus. I envision a more regional approach in public safety and even public works in the years to come. I am very aware of our challenges east of the rail road tracks in response times due to the train traffic that blocks access except for Courtland street - and would like to see something for that side of town. The same may need to be addressed as Mundelein grows westward in that there is no fire station from Mundelein to Wauconda. In the future this may need attention, and I would hope a regional solution could be reached. Our staffing levels in the fire department can potentially be addressed by grants and other creative ways.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?We are a lean operation - but, we may be able to generate revenue or create savings by either taking on 911 dispatching from other communities - whereby we create a profit center or we will need to consider collaborating with other agencies. I am also open minded to using our water treatment facilities and our excess capacity as a profit center for our residents. Our BIG program has been working to attract new businesses and improve some existing businesses - I think we can get more selective in our criteria now - but, the program is working and other communities are looking at the successes we have had. Our fire department staffing levels need to be addressed and I am hopeful that there is some grant money available to help defray some of these costs. We all dread raising property taxes - but, cutting services or not fixing roads that need to last lifetimes is not something that we should consider. The financial issues at the state level do trickle down to the local level and we need to be nimble and creative in how we operate. Paying for the services our residents demand and deserve is our biggest challenge. The costs of buying things like fire trucks, ambulances, asphalt and health insurance for our employees (we are an employer too) go up every year and we can't outsource our services overseas like many non government businesses have done to save money.What is one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?I have been an advocate of greater collaboration with our neighbors in terms of a regional approach to fire fighting, emergency responses and even public works operations. I envision a more regional approach in years to come where management, staff and facilities are all shared to save money while providing the best services available. This is not an easy or quick fix, but something that will take a long time and agreement from our neighbors to implement. Other jurisdictions around the United States have done it successfully, and I would like to emulate their successes here in our region and in Mundelein.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?There are some major roadway improvements that are in the works that Mundelein has been leading the charge on. Specifically, the widening of 60/83 and eliminating the crossing of the rail road tracks near Diamond Lake Road. I would also like to see the intersections of 45/Diamond Lake Road and Allanson Road become a 4-way stop to eliminate the choke-point that slows traffic on Rt. 45. These projects are on state roads and the state / federal governments would be responsible for nearly all funding in order for them to move forward - but, someone needs to take the lead and Mundelein can and is taking the lead on these projects. We need to continue making traffic improvements while maintaining our current roadways for generations to come. Mundelein will be here longer than any of us as individuals, and it is up to the Mayor and Board of Trustees to ensure that future leaders are not left with massive projects because we were being too cheap and deferring needed improvements for others to deal with. I would also like to see our Metra station have service 7-days per week like nearly every other line in Chicagoland has. Perhaps we can work with every other community on the line and collectively have an impact. We need to keep our residents safe and maintain our infrastructure and attract / keep businesses here. A more regional approach to public safety is something that I envision taking place in the near future too.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Dan Gilbert. He is investing in down town Detroit and owns several successful businesses.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Be a team player and support the team. The team can be your family, your employer or your home town.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would have taken up golf rather than football due to the lifelong injuries that playing football caused.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?I really liked Urban Studies at Elmhurst College where I studied the history and development of communities. This coursework has helped me as a trustee.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?You can impact the outcome of your own personal success and the lives of others. Be truthful, obey the law and be a good person.