Greg Weider: 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: Lake ZurichWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Twitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: @GregWeiderforLakeZurichOffice sought: Lake Zurich Village Board Age: 50Family: Wife (Suzanne) and two childrenOccupation: Executive DirectorEducation: North Park University, Masters of Management"â#128;œNonprofit AdministrationDePaul University, Certificate- Administrative Foundations of Public ServiceUniversity of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Bachelors-Social ScienceCivic involvement: Lake Zurich Park and Recreation Advisory Board (3 Years)Volunteer- Lake Zurich Craft Beer Fest, Fourth of July, Miracle on Main Street and Rock the BlockFormer Volunteer Youth Sports Coach- LZ Hoops, LZBSA, Fogila YMCA and Ela SoccerBoard Member and First Vice Chairman of the Northeastern Illinois Area Agency on Aging.Elected offices held: Appointed as Village Trustee in 2016Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?As a twenty-year resident of Lake Zurich I have a comprehensive perspective on many of the key issues facing our Village. I am an active member of the community. I have served as a youth sports coach with a number of community based athletic organizations, been involved as a parent volunteer at my children's school, maintained the integrity of our local elections as a Lake County Election Judge, and volunteered at village sponsored events like Rock the Block, Fourth of July and Miracle on Main Street. I have served on the Lake Zurich Park and Recreation Advisory Board and represent the interests of Lake County senior citizens as a board member of the Northeastern Illinois Area Agency on Aging. This involvement has allowed me to meet and interact with significant number of my fellow residents and given me the opportunity listen and discuss a wide spectrum of local concerns. I also bring to the role fourteen years of professional background as a successful nonprofit executive director. This experience has afforded me the opportunity to learn how to positively engage diverse groups of stakeholders to a meet a collective mission. I have proven fiscal management skills and a real world understanding of how to stretch limited resources to accomplish organizational goals.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.As a resident and taxpayer I would like to see taxes as low as possible. Of course, many residents understand that the ability to provide high quality services requires resources. Lake Zurich, as a non-home rule community, has a limited ability to increase taxes as a source of additional revenues. This requires strong fiscal leadership, dedication to cost reduction and improvements in operational efficiencies. The Village of Lake Zurich must continue to meet budget challenges while at the same time provide high levels of service to its residents.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?I rate the effectiveness and efficiency of the Lake Zurich Police and Fire Departments at a high level. Under the leadership of our current Police Chief and Fire Chief the Village has realized increased efficiencies and re-organization that has resulted in added services at no addition cost to residents. There is commitment to continuing education and certifications, as well as continued efforts to provide the best possible emergency services to the community. The Village has recently purchased a new ambulance, fire truck and AED equipment to ensure both departments have the tools to effectively serve the community.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?Responsible budgeting and effective fiscal management are ongoing endeavors. It requires an intentional process of efficiency improvement, cost reduction and insuring the best possible return on investment. The recent success of these efforts has helped the Village achieve an AAA bond rating. This process must continue so the Village can make the necessary infrastructure investments in our roads, improvements to an aging sewer system and parkway tree replacement without a reduction of service levels to residents.What is one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?I would like to see the Village provide additional opportunities for residents to become more involved in civic life. Our community is blessed with residents with diverse backgrounds and skill sets. They offer a wealth of talents that can be engaged to help improve our community. This initiative could be accomplished through two phases. First, begin a Citizen's Leadership Academy that could help educate residents to better understand the workings of municipal government, its roles, responsibilities and limitations. This will help improve transparency, communication and increase residents' knowledge of their community. The second phase would include meaningful service opportunities on boards, task forces or committees that would be charged with providing informed opinion and volunteerism in meeting community needs.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Downtown Development remains a significant issue. The Village has made progress by removing some ineffective and outdated properties, securing staff with an expertise in economic development and city planning and showcasing downtown with special events. Continued efforts are required to attract the commercial businesses that will provide the consumer opportunities that both Lake Zurich residents and residents from neighboring communities desire.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.I am mostly inspired by everyday people who volunteer their time to help improve the lives of others.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Be responsible for your actions.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?My experience is that life does not give do-overs, so learn from your mistakes and focus on doing your best in the future.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?In Graduate School I studied Conflict Management. It instilled in me the ability to seek common ground in order to accomplish goals.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Find your passion in life and pursue it with focus and resolve.