Todd Smith: 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: North BarringtonWebsite: https://tsmith9211.wixsite.com/nbcandidateTwitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: North Barrington Village Board Age: 41Family: Candidate did not respond.Occupation: Associate Director at National Futures AssociationEducation: Bachelor of Arts, Economics - University of Iowa, 1998Masters of Business Administration, DePaul University, 2001Civic involvement: Candidate did not respond.Elected offices held: North Barrington Trustee - 2013 to PresentQuestions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?Along with my professional experience in the financial and technologies industries that I have to offer as a candidate, my ability to communicate effectively makes me the best candidate for the job. I think communication skills, both written and verbal, are critical, not only in this role, but in any position in life. This is due to the fact that if a person is not able to effectively transmit their ideas, input and knowledge those facets and feedback can simply can go to waste.I take pride in making certain I have clear, concise, and considerate communication with my fellow Board members, and most importantly, the citizens of North Barrington.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.Relative to other municipalities in the region I think North Barrington's present level of taxes is fair. The Village is in a strong fiscal condition and a change to taxes, higher or lower, is unnecessary at this time.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?North Barrington leverages police and fire coverage from outside government bodies. These other entities are well positioned and well prepared for the next decade and provide North Barrington with cost effective safety and fire protection services.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?North Barrington's current budget is well prepared by the Village Finance Committee. The appropriate budget levels are determined, from road improvement and maintenance to each of the Village Commissions. Most importantly the budget is adhered to and administered properly by the Village Administration.As part of the budgeting process the Finance Committee takes a careful approach to prioritize the different Village expenses to make certain taxpayer money is spent appropriately.What is one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?I'd like to see the Village and its administration take some additional next steps with its communications efforts. One common thread of feedback I've received as a current Trustee is the need for the Village Board and Administration to better communicate with the residents. Utilizing social media, such as Twitter or Facebook, would be a great next step. I've already assisted the Village in standing up a new website that better equips information sharing by the Village with its residents. As part of this effort the Village set up an email distribution mechanism so residents can receive different updates via email and not necessarily visit the website.Not only does using social media help with communication but it is cost effective.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?I think that maintaining the safety, beauty and serenity of the Village of North Barrington is paramount for any sitting Trustee.North Barrington is not a commercial center but a residential rural community and all decisions should consider how consequences can impact, negatively or positively, the environmental aspects of North Barrington.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.President Barack ObamaWhat is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?I learned the value of dedication and hard work - getting up every morning of every day and being productive.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would have gone back and played high school football after being injured sophomore year - who knows, maybe could've been a Chicago Bear!What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?My favorite subject was history and still is to this day. It helped me in learning not to repeat the mistakes of history.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?To be a good person because who you are is who you will be forever remembered as.