Michael Cannon: Candidate Profile

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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: Rolling MeadowsWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Twitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Rolling Meadows Mayor Age: 65Family: Wife-SallyMickKatieKellyOccupation: Retired-Former Sales Sales Management Exec.Education: St.Mary's University of MinnesotaB.A. in Business AdministrationCivic involvement: Coached 29 (house) sport teams over 13 years in 4 different sports in Palatine Park district.President-2 years-Fremd High School Music Association-Parent support group.Served as Advisory Board Member For St.Mary's University First Generation Initiative.Serve as an active member for both St. Mary's University Alumni and for Teach for America local initiatives.Elected offices held: Alderman 1st Ward-City of Rolling Meadows-6 yearsQuestions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?Two things. First, my experience. During 6 years as an alderman, I have led and advocated for:*moving our City to a more fiscally sound, efficient operation*rebuilding financial reserves to a responsible level*improving the climate for residential builders to invest, thus broadening our tax base.Second, my vision for RM: *continue to deliver excellent basic city services* strengthen our financial position--pay down pension debt *enhance our image to make RM a place where people want to live, visit, and invest in*increase commercial investments (restaurants, businesses, builders) and broaden our tax base, and reduce tax burden on homeowners *increase the social "programming" for RM*actively engage the people of RM to continuously improve the cityWhat 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.At the present time is is just right. The only increase I might support is to fund police and fire pensions that are more than 50% unfunded (behind). Our current operations are generally well managed,although it remains important to continually seek areas to improve efficiencies. However, City employee positions are about as low as they can go without major impact to city services.What should be done with the long-vacant Dominick's site?This has been an area of great embarrassment and controversy. With the site now cleared, I believe other opportunities to re-build will come forward. The current owner only wants to sell the entire 11 acres to one buyer. I think that the Mayor should get involved and bring 3 or 4 interested parties to a negotiating table and split the property up and rebuild a in a multi-purpose way. Residential is going to be a large component in this. In addition, there are commercial opportunities. However, no one single retailer is going to buy the entire plot, so splitting it up is the best way to move the property to useful purposes.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?Our current operating budget is probably right where it needs to be. It probably can't be cut, but neither does it need to increase. Our individual funds are adequately supported through the current budget. However,there are two areas of concern. First is the Road fund. We need to be spending more on roads, and should consider a bond issue to catch us up. Second is our unfunded Police and Fire pension liability. Although we have doubled up on our contributions over the past 2 years, we still need to aggressively increase the money we put into the fund.The current re-birth of our Golf Road business quarter should help our tax base.In addition, we need to more aggressively seek out federal and state grants to continue to rebuild our critical infrastructure.Do you support the fire department's plan to replace Fire Station 15 with a new station to the south, and Fire Station 16 with a new station to the east?Yes, I think it is the most logical solution to ensure appropriate levels of emergency protection throughout the entire City. This change, along with our partnerships with Palatine and Palatine Rural Fire Departments and our coverage agreements with Arlington Heights, gives us outstanding coverage and plenty of back-up response when needed.There is also a lack of physical space to build a modern firehouse at current Station 15.Studies were conducted by objective Fire professionals that graded many different potential locations. The two geographical areas that have been approved were the best for overall coverage for the entire City.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Being a relatively small city has it advantages and disadvantages. A small model that has worked well for our City and our residents is our cooperative agreements with Palatine Rural and Palatine Fire Departments. Our shared training and some shared equipment makes all 3 areas better protected and save tax payer money. We should work to develop additional appropriate relationships with other neighbor cities so we all benefit.The City of Rolling Meadows is in a great location at the major intersection off Toll-road I-90 and Hwy 53. That should remain a key selling point to encourage more corporate re-locations or start-upbusinesses. This will enhance our tax base and keep homeowner taxes from rising needlessly.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Mitch Daniels-President of Purdue University. He has led change that made large organizations more productive, cost effective and attuned to their constituencies.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Work hard, save and you will be rewarded.Always respect others.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would have gotten involved in civic issues earlier in life.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Marketing. I loved learning about people, understanding what motivates them, addressing their needs and wants. I've applied these lessons to every aspect of my life.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?"Be true to yourselves," especially on important issues and values. Be kind and respectful to others. Be the best you can be. Follow your dreams