Walter Kriese: 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: HainesvilleWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Twitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Hainesville Village Board Age: 60Family: Married, two children, two grandchildren.Occupation: Maintenance- Electronic TechEducation: Technicians Degree, DeVry Institute of Technology, 1977Civic involvement: Village of Hainesville, Trustee 2011-2015Elected offices held: Village of Hainesville, Trustee 2011 - 2015Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?The experience I gained during my first term in office as a Trustee for the Village of Hainesville, in which I was the Chair for the Public Safety and Public Works Committees. With over 40 years work experience in the maintenance field helped bring experience and knowledge to both these positions. Keeping everyone safe and solutions to help keep plant and machinery running smoothly. I have proven that I am willing to roll up my sleeves and work with our village board members for the residents of this community. My attitude has always been of determination and persistence of making sure all avenues have been exhausted until a solution is achieved. My work ethic is of honesty, determination and strength.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.Our current local sales tax should stay at it's present level. The village may need to reevaluate this at a later date. Property taxes are high. The revenue coming from our property taxes to the village is roughly 5% of our total tax bill. As a previous trustee I witnessed our finance committee making every effort to make sure this revenue is needed and that we spend it wisely. Efforts also need to be taken to make sure that our other taxing bodies are doing the same.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?Our police and fire coverage is excellent. Two examples come to mind, the crash that occurred on Hainesville Road, a few years ago, which caused the gas main fire of a town home there and the house fire on Big Horn, is proof to the efficiency of these departments. Their quick respond saved lives and property. Both departments are trying to be state of the art and have made improvements but of course funding isn't always available. Hainesville Road still is a concern. It's openness to traffic for users of the bike path and the town homes. Not enough signage for the pedestrian crossing at Tall Oak.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?Our finance committee has done a great job at making sure our tax dollars are spend for what is needed. So, at this time I believe that any trimming is not necessary. Roads need to be improved but that slowed down with the budget battles. Improvements are being made but not that quickly.What is one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?I feel that we still need to find better ways to open up the communication within our community. Getting our residents involved in what is going in and around the village. Hold workshops to help explain or prepare us on the issues arising within our community.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Lack of a state budget. Small communities like ours can't continue to have funding cutback or held back.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Jimmy Carter for his unselfishness, humbleness and endless effort to make this world better.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Life isn't always fair so just deal with it and move on.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Be a more outgoing and giving person.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?It was auto shop. It taught me how things work and then how to fix it when it's broke. This is what I do daily.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Life is not fair. Deal with it and move on.