Henry Wesseler: 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: BensenvilleWebsite: http://www.changedbensenville.comOffice sought: Bensenville Village Board (4-year Terms)Age: 53Family: Married - Jill Two Sons; Chris and Ryan Two Grandsons: Raymond and PrestonOccupation: Purchasing Manager - Steiner Industries, Chicago,ILEducation: Fenton High School, Bensenville, ILCivic involvement: Officer - American Legion Post 1205 in Wood Dale, IL Officer - Masonic Lodge 1159 in Bensenville, IL Volunteer - Bridgeway Nursing Facility in Bensenville, IL Lector and Usher - St. Alexis Catholic church in BensenvilleElected offices held: Bensenville Village Trustee. 2009 - Present Bensenville Park District Commissioner. 2005 - 2009Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Continuing the positive turnaround taking place in Bensenville. In 2008, Bensenville was voted the Number One dying town in America by Forbes magazine. In 2011, Bloomberg Business voted Bensenville the Number two community in Illinois to raise a family.Key Issue 2 Continuing to work with the other Taxing bodies on shared services for the betterment of Bensenville. We've already worked with the Park District and Elementary School District on land aquisition for flood control within our community.Key Issue 3 Finalize the Strategic Plan to revitalize downtown Bensenville. We secured a $800,000.00 grant from the FAA for this purpose.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?My Village Board experience, Business experience as a Purchasing Manager and my community involvement.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.Sales tax revenue is right where it needs to be. As a Non-home rule community, we cannot raise taxes without going to referendum. Our goal is to increase tax revenue by improving infrastucture conditions in the North Industrial Park. We are close to finishing that project.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.Street lights and traffic contol signs. A resident called me asking for a street light on Tioga Street. I contacted Public Works, who in turn contacted ComEd in order to make that a reality. Also was contacted by a resident for a stop sign on the corner of Ridgewood and Second Ave. due to the increased traffic in the school zone. We also made that happen.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?We've stabilized the village finances since taking office. We changed a negative $6-million fund balance in 2009 to a positive $4-million cash balance in 2012. More importantly, we have not passed on the Chicago and DuPage county water rate increases to our residents.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?I am Bensenville's representative to the Elgin-O'Hare Western Bypass advisory council. My goal is to chair the Business and Economic Development committee in order for Bensenville to receive top priority on new development.