Harry Blecker: Candidate Profile

Back to Campton Hills Village president

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: Campton HillsWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Campton Hills Village president Age: 68Family: Married to Cathy for 47 years, Two sons, Phillip and David living in Colorado, One granddaughterOccupation: SalesEducation: Bachlor of Science - Rochester Institue of Technology, Rochester New YorkCivic involvement: Candidate did not respond.Elected offices held: Trustee Village of Campton HillsQuestions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I believe in the original vision statement of the Village "The residents of the Village of Campton Hills wish to maintain the semi-rural quality of their environment and its associated life style." As the economy improves there will undoubtly be more development in our area. It will be the duty of the elected offical to be the gaurdians of our community. My mission will be to insure that future development respects the vision statement. Development should be low impact on our enviroment to preserve the quality of life our residents desire.How would you describe the condition of your community's budget, and what are the most important specific actions the town should take to assure providing the level of services that people want?Currently the Village budget is sound.The Village has one of the best funded Police Pension Funds in the State and we intend to keep it that way. Campton Hills is a non home rule community so we are dependent on the State. As we all know the State Budget is not in good shape. We must prepare for any actions or cuts the State may take.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?I have already started cutting the budget by putting forth an amendment changing the way the President and Trustees are compensated. Starting next term The President and Trustees will no longer receive compensation for attending meeting or events over and above scheduled Board meetings. This alone has the potential to save over twelve thousand dollars per year. The biggest expense we currently have is our legal budget which we will be over this year. If elected this will be the number one priority. Conversely an area we need to expand the functions of our Economic Development Committee. We need to find ways to work with landlords to help fill the vacant stores and offices that we have in the Village. Filling the vacancies will bring additional revenue into our community. These spaces are already there so additional development will not be necessary.Describe your leadership style and explain how you think that will be effective in producing effective actions and decisions with your village board or city council.Any good leader must realize that they can not do everything by themselves.It is important for an effective leader to surround themselves with the best people available and let them do their jobs. That is not to say they have free hand in running the Village but are free to give their opinion and advise to the President and Board. The Board has the finial say. However, the board will operate more effective when they have the professional opinions of those who deal with the day to day issues of the village.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?We have to get more involvement of the residents. We have to make our atmosphere more welcoming to be able to recruit more volunteers and get fresh ideas from them.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?One of the most important issues we need to correct is openness and transparency in Village GovernmentPlease name one current leader who most inspires you.Scott Walker the Governor of WisconsinWhat's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?If you make a commitment follow it thru to the endIf life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would have moved to Campton Hills soonerWhat was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?History. If you don't learn it you will repeat it.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Stay true to your beliefs