Timothy Nockels: Candidate Profile
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<p class="disclaimer" style="font-size:16px;color:#666;"><strong>Note:</strong> 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.
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<h3 class="breakHead">Bio</h3>
<strong>City:</strong> Vernon Hills
<strong>Website:</strong> na
<strong>Twitter:</strong> Candidate did not respond.
<strong>Facebook:</strong> Timothy Nockels
<strong>Office sought:</strong>
<strong>Age:</strong> 50
<strong>Family:</strong> Lisa Nockels (wife)
Preschool Teacher VHPD
Hunter (son)
8th grade Hawthorn South
Cody (son)
6th grade Hawthorn South
Walter Nockels (father)
Chicago Fire Chief (retired)
Mary Nockels (mother)
Home-maker (deceased)
6 sisters
Teresa, Joan, Julie, Carole, Joyce & Maureen.
<strong>Occupation:</strong> Commodities Futures Options Broker @ Chicago Mercantile Exchange
<strong>Education:</strong> some college no degree
<strong>Civic involvement:</strong> SRACLC Program Leader
Volunteer referee Special Olympics
Team Leader Kids Castle Park Program
VHPD Start Smart Coordinator
Pee Wee Basketball Instructor VHPD
Field Supervisor VHPD
Volunteer VHPD Summer Celebration
Kids Golf Clinic Coordinator Vernon Hills Village Golf Club
Leader of petition used to correct Youth sports League (VHCYAA)
<strong>Elected offices held:</strong> none
<h3 class="breakHead">Questions & Answers</h3>
<h3 class="briefHead">What makes you the best candidate for the job?</h3>
For far too long the current board has grown more displaced with the community. Within my career as a commodities broker I have a unique ability to adjust very quickly to changes. I will keep an open mind on every subject and scrutinize each situation differently to have a few options to debate with my peers and community. In my opinion, the office of trustee needs to be out within the community on a daily bases. Vernon Hills is growing at a rapid pace and I feel my "hands on" approach to public service is exactly what Vernon Hills is lacking right now.
Fiscal responsibility must be much more transparent. Certain aspects of the village governing board must be ran more like a business. I thrive for negotiations. I feel Vernon Hills is systemically turning into a retail mecca with repetitive stores that will in the near future begin to devalue the market place.
A fresh approach to obtaining a better quality of life is what I will work around the clock to achieve. A "FRESH START" is coming to Vernon Hills... I am excited for our future.
<h3 class="briefHead">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.</h3>
The reason my wife, Lisa and I aggressively purchased our home is to be, in my humble opinion, in the finest schools district in the state. Taxes are bearable when you see exactly what you are getting back. If I am asked debate any change to the local tax code I would seek that 100% of it would be placed back into our school system.
<h3 class="briefHead">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?</h3>
Being the son of a retired Chicago Fire Department Battalion Chief and bother of a Chicago Police Officer I hold a very special place in my heart for first responders. Within the years living in Vernon Hills I have made lasting friendships with many of VHs finest. I would make certain that Vernon Hills Police Department and Countryside Fire Protection District personnel would have every resource available financially and equipment would remain state of the art as technology improves.
<h3 class="briefHead">Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?</h3>
On the current budget I feel the incumbent board has done a reasonable job. I would have paid much more attention to updating village streets and sewers annually. Major traffic and drainage issues are in the very near future because the board has neglected to update the infrastructure. I would "fix the foundation" before I spent on building.
<h3 class="briefHead">What is one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?</h3>
I would strive to better the relationship with the school and park district boards. I hear the incumbent board has always stated what will be given to improve the system and has never asked "what do you need to make it better".
<h3 class="briefHead">What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?</h3>
I try to think about what it is that makes people leave the village to obtain.
I would work to bring more night life to residents and better options to our youths.
I would love to find room for a "Village Center".
Our main retail run seems to only thrive on Route 60... I would work to assist other retailers off of that main hub.
I would update protective services for our children.
I would like to implement a "Second Chance Program" in the high school to show compassion and assistants to teens that make bad decisions.
<h3 class="briefHead">Please name one current leader who most inspires you.</h3>
Bill Gates. He has given back tremendously through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Improving education in the US and providing worldwide food and water.
<h3 class="briefHead">What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?</h3>
My father is quite the master craftsman. He always taught me to "MEASURE TWICE...CUT ONCE".
<h3 class="briefHead">If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?</h3>
Spending more time with my mother near the end of her life.
<h3 class="briefHead">What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?</h3>
Mechanical Drawing. I have incredible penmanship and an eye for detail.
<h3 class="briefHead">If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?</h3>
Think and know the consequences before you act. It much easier to be kind and forgiving than to hold on to hate and resentment.