John Bajor: 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: WinfieldWebsite: http://winfielddeservesbetter.comOffice sought: Winfield Village Board (4-year Terms)Age: 64Family: Wife: Maureen Ann, Married 40 + years. Son: John J. Bajor, III (33) Grandson: John (2), Owen (Due this February 25!) Daughter: Amy Katherine Crews (31) Grabdsons: colin (5), Carter(3)Occupation: Federal Govt. Environmental Engineer and Enforcement Officer U.S.EPA Water Enforcement Compliance Assurance Chicago, Il. (Retired 28 Yrs. Local Government Director Public Works/Engineer Retired Civil and Environmental Engineer 18 Yrs.Education: Bachelor of Civil Engineering, MCE/ Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, 1984 Master of Public Administration, IIT, Chgo., 1991; Completion of significant coursework, Master of Environmental Engineering, IIT, Chgo.,Civic involvement: Liaison to Winfield Park District, Liaison to Cadence Health/CDH,Past member of DuPage County solid waste Committee 1988-2002, Past member of DuPage County Environmental Concerns Commisiion, 2002-2010, Served as Winfield Trustee 1994-1997, 2005-2009, 2009-2013. served and chaired Finance Administration Committee, Public Works Committee, Environmental Concerns Committee, Economic Development Task Force, and Stormwater Management committee.Elected offices held: Village Trustee, Village of Winfie1d 1994-1997, 2005-2009 2009-2013. (Completed all four year terms as elected).Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: Perhaps minor traffic tickets as a youngster.Candidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 My Number 1 campaign issue is to restore civility and respect to the residents and peer board members in the conduct of our board meetings. This can only be accomplished with the election of Erik Spande, Jim McCurdy, Phillip Mustes and me. Even then the board will be split. Since the last election, Winfield has witnessed turmoil on its board with unruly behavior of a majority of the board. Board members flirt with Open Meetings Act violations that have gained the attention of the State Attorney's Office, argue with the village attorney on professional opinion, and treat the office with disrespect. Residents have seen their homes zoned business, business owners have been forced out of town with the forced rezoning of special use status, our professional staff and Police Department has had to endure threats and micromanagement usurping their professional contributions and morale. It is fundamental and basic to maintain respect, open dialog and civility to harness the potential that the village possesses for successful and progressive growth. Our elected officials need to portray by example professionalism and courtesy in discharging the duties of office. This has primacy.Key Issue 2 My Number 2 campaign issue is the solvency of our professional Police Department. Just as a village needs mature and honorable elected officials and professional staff, it needs to maintain a safe and secure environment that enables investment and real estate values. The recent Police Department issue has hurt the village by creating a loss of security with which our residents have come to expect. Trust is difficult to establish and once it is lost, it is next to impossible to recover. Winfield needs to recover the trust that it has in its elected officials in the manner in which the public safety is protected by a solvent Police Department with good morale and sincere recognition and support by the board.Key Issue 3 My Number 3 campaign issue is a focus of the balance of ongoing planned capital improvements and operation and maintenance of our fixed assets (streets, storm and sanitary sewers and water infrastructure)including service to the public and our Budget Plan. As most of us know, the streets are at the top of the hierarchy of concern. Revenue growth has been enhanced by diligent expeditures coupled with grant acquisitions and innovative revenue streams such as the installed red light camera on Roosevelt Road. Manchester Road will be resurfaced this Spring with a major American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) grant and the red light camera not only decreased the accident rate at the intersection but has provided a revenue stream of over $220,000.00/ year. The growth of innovative and classic revenue streams and the management of expenditures will be the focus in order to maintain and upgrade our fixed assets in the next four years and beyond.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?Experience with 3 full terms as Winfield Village Trustee, experience as a 28 year employee in the public sector as an engineer and Director of Public Works for DuPage County Public Works, the City of St. Charles and the Village of Downers Grove. Experience in the private sector as a professional engineer responsible for municipal projects and studies related to streets, water and stormwater projects. My focus on working well with others and my established record of respect, civility and desire to promote effective work environments.Given the delicate balance between the need for revenue and over-taxing local businesses, what is your opinion of your community's present level of local sales taxes? Is the tax just right, too low or too high? Explain.The sales tax in Winfield is appreciably less than that of our surrounding municipalities. However our sales tax revenue trendline has been increasing from new businesses that have come into the village. It accounts for 10% ($450,000.00, 2012-13) of our total revenue in our General Fund.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.A community needs to maintain a sound established public safety environment to attract growth and development and to maintain businsess and property values. The recent Police department controversy has undermined the confidence of the community and investors and has interferred with real estate transactions. I have observed this from dialog with family, friends, neighbors and community residents. Trust is difficult to culture, easy to lose and impossible to recover. Winfield is in the recovery stage that only a reconstituted board with elected officials who recognize this trust element can remedy. Mr. Spande opened the door to the public on this issue and newcomers, Jim McCurdy and Phillip Mustes will secure and maintain the trust we need with our valued Police Department and residents.In these tight economic times, municipal budgets have to be prioritized. Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?As Finance Chair, I am certainly cognizant of the importance in adopting an annual budget that prioritizes needs and limits unnecessary expenditures. As part of the framework of the budget the village has prepared long and short term goals that in addition to our 5 year Capital Improvement Plan and operating budget, comprizes the budget. We will be preparing our 2012-13 budget in conformance with our budget calendar terminating in a public hearing April 5. Salaries and benefits account for major costs within any budget. Winfield has experienced retrenchment in paring down the number of employees to a bare minimum. Our General Fund is of greatest concern. Most budget reductions would be recommended by the Finance Committee with possible adjustments (reductions) to anticipated items in the 5 year Capital Improvement Plan. The budget has limited funds to support a meaningful street resurfacing and maintenance program and funds are removed from the Corporate (General) Fund to subsidize the increasing police pension fund. The Water Sewer Fund is an enterprize fund and genrally self-sufficient but the General Fund lacks the resources for meaningful stormwater, street and curb and sidewalk programs.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?The core idea is to secure elected officials that exhibit mature, sincere, open and civil discourse in serving the public. Elected office is no place for arrogance, uncivil and illegal actions as well as the development of policy outside the open board meetings. We need officials that protect the safety, property rights and who promote the special environment and life style of our residents and that serve as a model of admirable purpose and character.