Dennis C. Ernest: 2025 candidate for Carpentersville village board

Bio

Office sought: Carpentersville village board (Vote for 3)

City: Carpentersville

Age: 47

Occupation: Carpenter

Previous offices held: None

What is the most serious issue your community will face in the coming years and how should the village board respond to it?

To maintain a balanced budget without raising taxes. Taxes haven't been raised in over eight years but with rising costs that will become a challenge to keep them low, especially when we are investing in infrastructure upgrades. I will fight to keep taxes low because the last thing our residents need, some who are living paycheck to paycheck, is a tax increase.

How would you describe the state of your community's finances? What should be the top priorities for spending during the next few years? Are there areas of spending that need to be curtailed?

Carpentersville is currently in a good financial position. When I first moved here I lived on the east side and later moved to the west side. It became very clear that the east side doesn't get the same services as the west side. We need to invest in better infrastructure to make our roads safer and address the flooding issues while maintaining a high level of public safety. Sometimes it could pay off if we hire specialized external contractors who can do certain jobs faster and cheaper.

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?

Residents need basic services like clean water, roads, and public safety more than aesthetically pleasing spaces. Since we have high quality water, the village board should prioritize infrastructure assessments and plan for sustainable investments in maintenance and upgrades. This could include seeking state and federal grants for infrastructure, implementing preventative maintenance programs, and collaborating with engineers to ensure long-term, cost-effective solutions.

Describe your experience working in a group setting to determine policy. What is your style in such a setting to reach an agreement and manage local government? Explain how you think that will be effective in producing effective actions and decisions with your village board.

In my 30-year career in the private sector, I've held several management positions where I used a democratic leadership style. I believe honest discussions will lead to the best decisions. There are rarely open discussions at the village board meetings. Many residents feel unheard. A culture of respectful debate with inclusive decision making and transparent communication will help improve our community.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

Some people consider me an outsider, with my roots in the Netherlands where I grew up in a blue-collar family. I have a different view on many things including politics but am very open-minded. I am more of a listener than a talker and value everybody’s input.

I will make sure residents come first. Carpentersville is our home and I want to make it better for all of our families.

What’s one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?

I think it would be a good idea to divide Carpentersville into districts for board representation. It’s quite possible that after the election four trustees live in the same west side subdivision and one in a neighboring division. Our east side is very under represented.

I would like to see a more diverse board. More residents should be involved. Without implementing term limits, we run the risk as a village of becoming stagnant if the current leaders are in their positions too long. Local politics isn't a place for career politicians.