Robert Cook: Candidate Profile

Back to Wauconda Village Board, 4-year terms

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: WaucondaWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Wauconda Village Board, 4-year terms Age: 57Family: Wife Melissa Sons Robert Brendan JosephOccupation: BarberEducation: 4 years U of I Chicago ManagementCivic involvement: 8 years Park Board Masons Moose American Legion Lions Marine Corps League Ex RotaryElected offices held: Park Board Wauconda Park BoardQuestions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I grew up in Wauconda and I love this community. I spent 10 years traveling around the USA and the world with the Marines. I was exposed to outstanding leadership and training. I understand that decisions often have unintended consequences. The village board is not about me. It is a team that is entrusted to think about the citizens first and what committee your on second. I have been on the Park Board in Wauconda and I have learned a lot over the years. I think I can bring a fresh look at the issue's we have in our community while having the perspective from living here for a long time. I do not want to see a small group of people make all the decisions in Wauconda. I listen to a lot of people so I think I have a broad perspective.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?I think we are financially sound right now. I do think we have to be careful with our spending. There are things that are nice to have and things that you have to have. I think it is important to always remember that the Village board is spending other peoples money.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?My plan would be to always ask do we need this or is it nice to have. We need the basic services and we need to hire good people and pay them a fair wage. I think the budget can always be trimmed. If I am elected I would ask a lot of questions about the budget. The 911 center is a prime example.Do you support or oppose eliminating the 911 center and outsourcing the service? Why or why not?This is a clear example of how a lack of experience can get a village in financial trouble. The Village had extra money to spend and good intentions so they spent that money and updated the 911 center. They had hopes of turning the center into a profit center for the village. They did not get commitments from other communities first and quickly found out that nobody was interested in using their services. So they had to cut their prices to get any business and now the tax payers of Wauconda pay more than people from other communities. The plan now is to hire a supervisor to properly run the center and to renew the contract with the workers which will cost more. We can throw more money at the issue or we could get a price from Lake Zurich to see how much they would charge us for the service. If we did that we could make an informed decision on this issue. Some people say it is safer to have our own 911 center. If that where true then every village would have their own 911 center. My answer to the question is that nobody should have an opinion on this issue until we know all the facts. I do know that Lake Forest and Libertyville have both closed their 911 centers and consolidated with other communities.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?I think a lot of the people are talking about this. I would like to get rid of the red light camera's. I know that the revenue generated from these cameras would be difficult to live without. I think the Village could take a novel approach to this issue and spend less. This to me is fundamentally about freedom from "Big Brother" I will confess that I was caught once and I swore that I did stop. I watched the video and I did not stop. The video did not lie. I do not want to live in a country where the government watches our every movement. I believe that the government, especially local government is there to serve the people and not the other way around.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?I would like to cut taxes and fees if I could. If nothing else I would try to hold the line and not increase any fees or taxes. The only way we can do this is by bringing in more business to our community. My opponents talk about green business development and that they have a plan. They have had four years to implement their plan, where is it? Why is it just now coming out? The reality is that it is tough for a small village to bring in big box stores. What we can do is work on becoming as business friendly as possible. Make it easier for small business to come to our village. We could stop the arguing and complaining about the Mayor. If he is so terrible then vote him out of office. The board votes on all the issues so if he is doing something wrong vote against it. I think it is important to find a way to work with people. The question the voters have to answer is do they want a board that can disagree on an issue and still work together or do you want what you have now? Web sites attacking people and calling the Mayor a clown. If I am elected I expect that I will disagree with the Mayor on an issue from time to time. I can make my point and still be respectful. What kind of town would you like to build your business in?Please name one current leader who most inspires you.The Pope, I love how humble he is. He has a big job and he does not appear to be overwhelmed by it.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Everybody has a different perspective.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Spend more time with my familyWhat was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?History, Civilizations make good decisions and grow or make bad decisions and fade away.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Never take a job for the money, do it because you want to.