Craig Dresang: 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: ElginWebsite: http://www.CraigDresang.comOffice sought: Elgin City Council (2-year Term)Age: 50Family: Happily civil unioned in Illinois - in the same committed relationship for 11 years. My partner owns his own business and is currently a Music Thanatology student. I come from a close and supportive family of business entrepreneurs.Occupation: Healthcare executive . . . Vice President for Marketing and Community Development at Midwest Palliative Hospice CareCenter, the State's largest nonprofit hospice and palliative care program (Annual budget = $30 million). I also own two small businessesEducation: Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, 1985. Master of Arts in Intercultural and Urban Studies from Moody Bible Institute, 1987.Civic involvement: Commissioner for the City of Elgin's Cultural Arts Commission (appointed by the mayor). Member of the Gifford Park Association. Chair of the Mission Grants Committee for the Congregational Church of Elgin (UCC) which grants about $90,000 each year to 20+ local nonprofits including Habitat for Humanity, PADS, Boys Girls Club, etc. . . Illinois Arts Council, State of Illinois, former panelist and grant reviewer for the Arts-In-Education Residency ProgramElected offices held: NoneHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: No, not unless a speeding ticket counts.Candidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Maintaining quality of life for Elgin's residents, and capitalizing off of the City's potential to become a sought-after destination for would-be home buyers and business. There's a lot packed into the termquality of life.? Quality of life is achieved, not by choosing one thing over another, but by choosing a healthy and affordable mix of things that contribute to safety (police/fire protection), good schools, infrastructure, good and responsible use of land, code enforcement, friendly business environment, arts and culture . . . the things that can make the City's collective mind and spirit soar.Key Issue 2 Maintaining a long- and short-term budgeting and planning process that is reasoned, informed, and balanced.Key Issue 3 Creating a user-friendly business environment and attracting new business and development where it's needed most.Questions Answers Should the city continue its opposition to allowing video gambling outside the grand Victoria?I have not yet formed an opinion on this issue. I need to better understand the impact it would have on Grand Victoria Casino.What is your position on the city's plans to to implement a stormwater utility fee in 2014?Stormwater utilities are a well-established, efficient, and feasible financing option that provides a dedicated revenue source for stormwater management. The best-designed stormwater pollution management plan will flounder without sufficient funding. Revenues generated from the user fees are placed in a dedicated fund to implement a stormwater program that directly supports maintenance and upgrades of existing storm drain systems, development of drainage plans, flood control measures, etc. . . Stormwater utilities are similar to the dedicated municipal funds for public water and sewer utilities.Do you support the city funding the $900,000 overhaul of the Eastside Recreation Center? What do you think of closing Eastside and consolidating operations with The Centre of Elgin?Initially, I support the idea of consolidating the Eastside Recreation Center with The Centre of Elgin, however, I need to better understand the benefits and payoff of the ERC before I can come to a concrete decision.What is your view on the city's recent property tax levying history and imposition of other charges, such as the refuse fee?Three national rating agencies used by both the private and public sectors have rated the City of Elgin for its current and outstanding debt. Elgin's AAA rating is the highest attainable by a municipality. Fitch Ratings gave reasons for Elgin's AAA rating:Elgin's conservative fiscal management, extensive financial planning and healthy reserve levels provide ample financial flexibility. The city prudently implemented several new revenue sources in 2012 to reduce dependence on property taxes and declining gaming revenues. All of the city's non-self-supporting debt is retired within 10 years.? Fitch's also noted:Elgin's property tax rate has been flat for over 10 years.? Organizations with top ratings are able to borrow money or issue bonds at much lower rates, minimizing annual principal and interest and the city's reliance on property taxes which contributes to the city's excellent financial position. Some City Council Candidates call this atroubling trend,? opposing the tax and fee hikes the city took to balance its 2012 budget. Yet, these are the very decisions praised by the bond service. I fully support what the city has done on this issue.The Elgin Symphony Orchestra wants the city to resume its yearly disbursement of Riverboat funds to the ESO. Do you support this? Why or why not?Yes. The Elgin Symphony Orchestra, regionally rivaled only by the CSO, is a community jewel that puts Elgin on the "desination map." It also helps drive patrons to downtown businesses, and should be a source of pride for the entire city. If marketed appropriately along with other city amenities, it can help spark interest from new businesses and would-be home buyers. In addition, it provides a layer of cultural depth and richness for Elgin's students and residents.