Bob Barnett: Candidate profile

Bio

Name: Bob Barnett

City: Downers Grove

Office sought: Mayor

Age: 49

Family: Wife Cary, Three Children, Bobby, Ana and Will

Occupation: Samuel Son & Company

Education: BSME, University of Evansville | MBA, Keller Graduate School of Management

Civic involvement: Prior to being elected to the Village Council (2009 - present), my service to the Village included the Downers Grove Park District Outdoor Pool Advisory Committee from 2001-2002, the Downers Grove Liquor Commission from 2002-2008 and the Stormwater and Flood Plain Oversight Committee in 2008.

For me, community service means far more than politics. With "Service Above Self" as a guiding principle, I volunteered with the Grove Foundation from 2002-2006. I served on the Board of Elders and as the Congregation President at Immanuel Lutheran Church from 2000-2010 and my family and I regularly volunteer for PADS and Feed My Starving Children. I'm also a long-term "cook" at the Annual Pancake Breakfast for Navigate Adolescence (formerly HGNA) giving dies and parents tools to build confidence, resilience and kindness.

During my tenure on the Village Council, I have served as Council Liaison to the Stormwater and Floodplain Oversight Committee, the Library Board of Trustees, the Human Service Commission and the DuPage Mayors and Managers Legislative Subcommittee.

Previous elected offices held: Commissioner, Village of Downers Grove

Incumbent? If yes, when were you first elected?

Current Commissioner, elected in 2009

Website: www.barnettformayor.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/barnettfordgmayor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rtbarnett

Issue questions

* What are the most important issues facing your community and how do you intend to address them?

Sustaining financial stability while minimizing tax burden is a challenge. A deep understanding of municipal costs and existing and potential revenue is necessary to lead. We must embrace innovation in every aspect of our organization in order to continue to provide the services residents expect. Engaging residents - raising awareness and seeking input and expertise - must be part of our strategy. We can #domoretogether. I plan on establishing an ad hoc committee to focus on long-term financial planning coupled with community engagement as we build the future together.

Flooding threatens our residents and a commitment to this issue is critical. Distractions or failures to remain focused harms our residents. I've been the most consistent and committed advocate for tackling this issue over the last decade and will remain committed to improvements for our residents.

Due to overall economic decline in 2009, the Village dissolved the Human Services Committee. In late 2010, with increased stability, I tried to restart those efforts. But politics intervened and for nearly a decade the Council failed to make progress. We recently established an ad hoc committee to study the issue. Going forward, we'll need to be creative, innovative and determined to find ways to improve the services critical to our most vulnerable residents.

* What makes you the best candidate for the job?

My goal always, is to contribute to our Village by working in our community. Making Downers Grove the best it can be - helping us adjust to, and take advantage of, opportunities along the way - is what I truly enjoy.

No candidate running for Mayor has deeper experience or a more detailed vision for tackling issues than me. My experience and involvement understanding the details - and my complete lack of focus on other political considerations - informs a better and more complete understanding of where we've been, where we're going and how we can improve what's needed. I have a future-focused attitude that is excited about tomorrow without dwelling on the past.

I have never been interested in, sought, nor do I ever plan to seek a position outside of DG - period. That's why I'm focused. I have proven track record of consistent commitment to serving this community and serving this community only.

As our future challenges mount, innovations will be necessary to continue providing the high-quality services our residents expect. Doing so demands leadership our community trusts, and I have consistently and repeatedly proven a willingness to engage everyone - not just those who support my views - to improve process and outcomes.

* Describe your leadership style and explain how you think that will be effective in producing actions and decisions with your village board or city council.

Servant leadership. I've never served in a position for the purposes of advancing to another position or to win political points or settle political scores. I believe once you've been entrusted to do a specific job, you should do your best to do that job - not campaign or otherwise politically position yourself for the next.

Good service puts tangible results ahead of political gain. My sole focus is on improving the community and the lives of those in it.

For 25 years, I've served many organizations - from manufacturing companies to local churches and charity organizations to the Village of Downers Grove. In each instance I've worked hard to be sure to insist on inclusion of all viewpoints in the decision making process. And I make sure the organization leaves room for both success and failure. Because people need to know they can fail in order grow and stretch skills - it's critical in a world where demands on service exceed available resources.

A pragmatic focus on priorities - people and processes, not politics - while remaining committed to taking advantage of new opportunities is my guide.

* 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 people want?

Our financial condition is strong. During my tenure, we improved our credit rating to AAA - doing more with less. We've adjusted operations, restructured debt, instituted new revenues, reduced personnel and partnered with private and public entities to innovate the way we deliver service. We're consistently at the top of our suburban peers in terms of service and lifestyle while remaining near the bottom in terms of cost.

That said, Illinois is a mess. Those who serve or have served in Springfield have failed to effectively address the State's financial problems. They can point at each other and give us a list of the obstacles they face - but that doesn't help Downers Grove.

I treat our future with responsibility and commitment to those I am elected to serve. I've worked with service providers wrestling with budget uncertainty. My depth of experience and know-how helped navigate better outcomes and will be increasingly needed give our State's failures.

Leaders burdened by political aspirations or ties to outside influences can't focus on what's needed in a community asking for better. I'm a focused leader and I've earned the trust of stakeholders to do what's necessary.

Our future holds fantastic opportunity if we innovate, change and adapt. We can continue to provide value to our residents by offering top quality services.

* What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?

Downers Grove is home to Good Samaritan Hospital, DuPage Medical Group. Midwestern University, Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Illinois the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, ABS Medical the Lacey Creek SLF, and Advocate Health Systems. It's possible we have the makings of a critical mass within an industry that not only serves residents but is expected to grow by 18 percent (much faster than the average for all occupations) over the next decade.

Focusing Economic and Community Development efforts on Healthcare could be a vibrant and important part of our long-term community strength. According to the BLS, the median annual wage for health care practitioners and technical occupations (such as registered nurses, physicians and surgeons, and dental hygienists) was $64,770 (May 2017), which was higher than the median annual wage for all occupations in the economy of $37,690 (same period) and 30 percent higher than the per capita income for Downers Grove in 2017 ($45,831).

In addition to traditional health care professions, increases in health care data management may provide additional opportunities for quality job growth. Healthcare provides quality jobs and much needed services to our community while adding to economic diversity which is critical to long-term stability.

There is opportunity here for our Village to grow its financial base and create partnerships that are impactful while also serving our most vulnerable.