Jake Wyatt: Candidate Profile

Back to St. Charles City Council Ward 2

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: Saint CharlesWebsite: noneOffice sought: St. Charles City Council Ward 2 Age: 67Family: Wife Judy Sons Bradley, Steven Michael 1 Granddaughter 6 GrandsonsOccupation: ConsultantEducation: Masters Transportation Management National War College - Industrial College of Armed Forces BS University of TNCivic involvement: Life Member of American Legion Post 342 and VFW Post 5036 Board of Directors St Charles Arts Council Board of Directors Changing Children's World Foundation Trustee St. Charles Park Board St. Charles Chamber MemeberElected offices held: noneQuestions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?Key leadership and management skills I developed as a leader of large organizations (Military Platoon to Brigade level and Corporate Region Manager and VP) combined with starting two small businesses have prepared me to meet the challenges of leading St. Charles. I have a strong background in developing profit plans/budgets in excess of $300 million and a proven track record in executing those plans. I am a graduate of the National War College - Industrial College of the Armed Forces that prepared me to do analysis of our nation's industrial base and then develop short and long term strategic objectives to ensure our Nation's war fighting preparedness. I will utilize these same skill sets to further enhance St. Charles' Comprehensive Plan, aggressively work to finish First Street development, structure business districts for East (Charlestown Mall) and West (St. Charles Mall) Corridors, and support the vision and implementation to make Downtown St. Charles a cultural arts center. My "No-Nonsense" Leadership style coupled with ethics and integrity still allows me to focus on the needs of the residents.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.Short answer - taxes continue to increase without a good check and balance of all taxing bodies.Being a property owner and a tax payer I would answer "just right" for what the city controls (11% of the total property taxes). City Council and City Administration have done a very good job in maintaining the City's tax rate level for the past several years. Our taxpayers need to understand that there are eight taxing bodies. The percent breakout is as follows: School District 64%, City 11%, Park District 8%, County 5%, Junior College 5%, Library 4%, Forest Preserve 3%, and Township 2%. What is interesting these taxing bodies meet annually. I plan on studying past content and state statues that guide the discussions and decisions made at these meeting. I will push to institute a semi-annual meeting with ALL Taxing Bodies and review/discuss all proposed increases to ensure they are coordinated with in view of the big picture and best interest of the community and residents. All complaints come to City Hall when in fact the City may not have any influence over that taxing body. My goal will to make it a coordinated effort.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?I hold our Police and Fire Departments in the highest esteem. Their records speak for their efficiency and concerns for the safety and prevention throughout the community. Their strategy to move forward the next 10 years addresses growth, equipment, facilities and prevention/awareness programs. Only concern I currently have is our continued weekend disturbances of individuals who choose to party beyond Mid-night and display inappropriate actions. These issues are being addressed by the Mayor and council, but not to my satisfaction.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?I am concerned about the amount of revenue the city has built it's budget on and the unknown's that cause less revenue to meet budget expenses. Example- Fuel is 50% cheaper when budget was approved. This has a negative impact on our projected revenue from gas tax. Our TIF's debts for numerous project continue to draw interest and will come do in a few years. We have many open building with no business tenants generating revenue. We have the city using funds from budgeted project to do necessary infrastructure maintenance that is delayed or neglected. Would question why we remodeled a city parking lot and question was it really necessary. one of my favorite phases I hate to hear for an account/analyst is " When you normalize we have a balanced budget" when in-fact your are in denial and deficit spending. I will be digging into the budget and challenge City Administrator and City Finance Officer to paint a True picture to our Residents on the financial status. We need to get away from rubber stamping.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?I would support a large indoor Sports Complex with Olympic Pools and Diving Boards to host Regional competition throughout the year. This complex would lend itself to more than swimming but multiple venues.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Being available with focus on the residents in the 2nd WARD and available to support City wide . Hearing their voice, being available and in contact with them will give me a better idea what issues and concerns they may have about our city future. Often I feel their voice is not heard and votes are cast by Council with the attitude " We Know what's best for the community versus Listing to the voters/residents". I have not been to many council meeting the past year do to my wife's health but that has changed and I'm ready to re-engage with the community.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Candidate did not respond.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Honesty integrity - no compromiseIf life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?More time with my wife. My military career and business profession I traveled a great dealWhat was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?History - enjoyed, learned lessons that often repeat.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Never compromise your integrity.