Helmut Gerlach: Candidate Profile

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:BioKey IssuesQA Bio City: Lake ZurichWebsite: http://to comeOffice sought: Lake Zurich Village Board (4-year Terms)Age: 48Family: Married, 1 childOccupation: AttorneyEducation: Juris Doctor, University of Maryland, 1997 Bachelor of Arts in Economics, Political Science and History, Towson University, 1994Civic involvement: Habitat for HumanityElected offices held: Board of Directors (large hotel condominium association, Lake Geneva)Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Moving away from an all or nothing development for downtown and the TIF district and focusing on a realistic and sound development plan broken down in pieces.Key Issue 2 Increasing revenue sources to tackle the TIF bond payments in 2013 in conjunction with a balanced budgetKey Issue 3 Speak with one voice once a decision has been reachedQuestions Answers What is your position on what needs to be done to jump-start downtown redevelopment and how soon does this need to get happen?I believe it is important to approach developers who can demonstrate that they have ties to the greater area and the financial strength to break ground once their plans have been approved. While it is not possible to make this happen in a 3 or 6-month period, with the appropriate aggressive marketing strategy, ground could be broken in 2014. I would push for a multiple phase approach possibly with different developers satisfying the foregoing. Moreover, the whole process from application to completion needs to be streamlined. Unfortunately, what is ignored is that for a remake of the downtown area to be viable, one needs to look to development in other parts of the community as well. It is, therefore, necessary allowing other revenue sources to enter the picture. Lake Zurich has the advantage over neighboring towns, such as Wauconda, that we have a great industrial area which has room for more development, the Rand Road corridor commercial sector which has plenty of opportunities to attract further business and a downtown ready for vitalization once we have a village board that is willing to work together moving Lake Zurich forward as a community.What are your views on any kind of financial incentives to attract future development? Do you have any concerns about offering breaks in the wake of those recently received by the developer of Mariano?s?First, I believe if it is good for the community in the long term, breaks are important, necessary and beneficial. Second, acting efficiently and expeditiously is equally important so that breaks are more predictable. Third, when acting on behalf of the entire community, it is important that a trustee/elected official is not putting one's own personal interest first rather than evaluating an issue in light of the impact on the entire community. Last, for simple processes like evaluating a break for a developer, once the numbers have been made available to a decision maker, a decision should be forthcoming swiftly.In these tight economic times, municipal budgets have to be prioritized. Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed? Conversely, is there something that should be reinstated or have resources directed toward?I deal with businesses that need to operate under a budget. A government is basically a business and if it is determined that the sources and uses do not match, one needs to evaluate efficiencies or lack thereof. It will be necessary to talk with the various departments first to identify issues and discuss solutions. If it will be necessary as part of the solution, the budget needs to be revisited.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?While we have the public beaches, I would like to see a year round aquatic facility which would create jobs, opportunities for competitive events and allow residents to enjoy swimming regardless of the weather. I believe that the high school already has the necessary piping and thus combining an aquatic center as a combination of community/CUSD 95 facility would make sense. This can be integrated as part of the long term plan attracting businesses for and the development of downtown or the community at large.Talking with your friends and neighbors, what seems to be their biggest public safety concern? Explain the concern as you see it, and discuss how you think it should be addressed.I think the pedestrian/traffic light crossings at various major intersections are not pedestrian friendly. I also believe that certain streets are too dark.