Wayne D. Domke: 2023 candidate for Roselle Village Board
Bio
Town: Roselle
Age on Election Day: 74
Occupation: Retired
Employer: Retired
Previous offices held: Roselle Village Board since 2011; Roselle Park District commissioner (1999-2011)
Q&A
Q: What is the most serious issue your community will face in the coming years and how should the village board respond to it?
A: Infrastructure, EPA mandates for water treatment and the still loss of tax money for municipalities from Springfield called the "Local Government Distribution Fund."
Q: How would you describe the state of your community's finances?
A: Very good, balanced budgets that often end up as surplus revenue at the end of the year. We learned from the early recession of 2008-2012 how to be frugal. I appreciate the past board members that kept Roselle solvent and I learned from them. If I may say, Roselle residents been blessed by good stewards of their tax dollars.
Q: What should be the three top priorities for spending in your community during the next four years?
A: Water/sewer, roads and sidewalks, and keeping our fire and police up-to-date on current tools of their trade. Also, redevelopment and beautification of the village campus at a rate we can afford without a referendum request for a tax increase.
Q: Are there areas of spending that need to be curtailed? If so, what are they?
A: We really don't overspend. Our objective if finances allow, is to give back to the tax payers in better serves including assistance in areas residents can't control themselves. Flooding remediation, removal of lead water pipes, code enforcement, etc.
Q: What do you see as the most important infrastructure project the community must address? Why and how should it be paid for? Conversely, during these uncertain economic times, what project(s) can be put on the back burner?
A: Water/sewer. We have issued bonds, received some government assistance, and have a long-range plan. Back burner, trying to pay down pensions. At present, we are at 65-70% funded, which is within the requirements thus far. Obviously, whenever we can, fund it more.
Q: Describe your experience working in a group setting to determine policy. What is your style in such a setting to reach agreement and manage local government? Explain how you think that will be effective in producing effective actions and decisions with your village board.
A: A win is a compromise. We, in Roselle, do work together and higher government could learn a lot from communities such as ours. I have brought ideas that are accepted and some are not. If my idea isn't approved, I accept it and move on. My fellow trustees know some things too and I can accept defeat. I respect their opinions and I hope that they respect mine. In fact, I know they do.
Q: What makes you the best candidate for the job?
A: I'm an investor in Roselle. My wife and I own three properties, have created business opportunities for our properties, as well as for others in the town.
I have served on the park district board for 11 years, been a leader in the Roselle Sister Cities Association, am a village liaison to the Chamber of Commerce and the Roselle History Museum. I'm a member of the Roselle Lions Club, Green Roselle, and have been on several committees, most recently in creating the Roselle Centennial Dinner Dance for our 100-year town birthday as well as the now annual Bockfest Parade.
Q: What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?
A: I was first to ask the village for Cameras on Cops, long before the requirements.
I'm active in also asking for the village to invest in drones for use in policing, fire department emergencies, and public works observations. I believe in a downtown development that would make Roselle a destination for shops and commerce. I am actively working on that with some investors.
I'm also in favor of moving Roselle into the future for the next generation by giving more attention to issues that they are passionate about. I'm not afraid of transparency, inclusion, and diversity. Much of this comes from a life of caring as well as learning some of the principals of the Sister Cities programs which respects all of that belief.