Greg Ligman: 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: AlgonquinWebsite: http://gregligman.comTwitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Algonquin Village Board Age: 52Family: Candidate did not respond.Occupation: Healthcare ProfessionalEducation: Candidate did not respond.Civic involvement: IWMF Board MemberElected offices held: Candidate did not respond.Questions Answers What is your stance on the Longmeadow Parkway project? Is the fight against it realistic at this point. Please explain.While I have opposed Longmeadow Tollway project since first learning about the project almost twenty years ago, I realize that the Village of Algonquin no longer has a say in what happens to the Longmeadow Tollway. However, the project can still be stopped. Dissecting a forest preserve and ruining a habitat where Bald Eagles are nesting is not the way we should treat our precious landscape. Legal opposition has begun and I support this opposition. With the State of Illinois having one of the lowest credit scores in the country, we need to focus on rebuilding structures that already exist instead of spending more money, that doesn't exist, on projects that experts have been deemed unnecessary.Many municipalities are met with the challenge of maintaining steady revenue streams while trying to lower the tax burden on businesses and property owners. How has the village handled that balancing act so far, and how would you improve/maintain that situation?While property taxes in Algonquin were recently decreased, Mchenry County still has one of the highest property taxes in the United States. Algonquin needs to be frugal with downtown development and move at a slower pace than proposed projects. Large and improperly planned projects could cause Algonquin property taxes to rise again. Algonquin does need a renewal of the downtown area, however, this project should move slowly with benefits realized before beginning the next phase.How do you envision the village developing economically over the next several years, and where in the village should officials be focusing their efforts?All of Algonquin needs to be assessed for future development. Businesses and development along Algonquin Road, east of the Fox River are just as important as the downtown area and Randall Road businesses. However, business parks and shopping areas must stay separate from residential communities. This will be of great importance in the Longmeadow and Randall Road area in the future. Residential neighborhoods must be respected. As we have seen, and did not expect, stores along Randall road are failing. The future of Internet shopping must be considered when making these decisions.Describe your plans for maintaining/improving the village's downtown district.Concerns about moving to quickly and overspending, ultimately causing a tax burden on the residents of Algonquin, is of great concern. Focusing efforts on existing businesses and adding businesses that accent the history and charm of Algonquin is optimal. Any change should not jeopardize anyone's home and we should focus on the existing charm and history of Algonquin.Where in the village's budget, if anywhere, could expenses be trimmed? And on the other hand, should the budget allot more money toward any particular area, service or village department?Internet buying is the wave of the future. While we will always need local stores and services, focusing on major shopping areas is not sound planning. Focusing on and the community and the children of Algonquin should be emphasized. Education, community involvement, and a wholesome attitude, should be our focus. We should take pride in The Algonquin Historic Commission through advertisement and sponsorship.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?I would like our community to take pride in what we have built. Getting people involved in building and supporting a stronger family bond which is the strength of out community. We need to strengthen our schools and focus on our children.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Currently, Warren Buffett stands out due to his views on trade and philanthropy. He has donated billions of dollars to charity.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Effective communication is of utmost importance to building relationships, whether they are romantic, social, related to business, and/or political.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?While I have enjoyed my life immensely, I wish I had taken a few years between high school and college to focus on career goals.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?I have always loved education and am currently in post-graduate school. While I was very successful as a photography student, healthcare is my passion.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Treat all people with respect.