Eric Shipman: 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: BartlettWebsite: http://www.Shipman4bartlett.comOffice sought: Bartlett Village boardAge: 44Family: I am single. My constant companion is my yellow Labrador Retriever, Sunni.Occupation: Police sergeant and paid on call firefighterEducation: Certificate in Criminal Justice from Harper College. I attended the Il. State Police Academy in Springfield for my basic law enforcement training and later attended Northwestern University#146;s School of Public Safety for Supervision of Police Personnel.Civic involvement: I have been a member of the Bartlett Volunteer Fire Department since 2002. I have served as treasurer for the BVFD for four years and as co-chair of the annual street dance for three years. I am the chairman of the Hanover Township Public Safety Committee and Chairman of the Bartlett Fire Protection District#146;s Foreign Fire Insurance Board. I served over eight years as an executive board member on the DuPage County Police association.Elected offices held: Wayne Township Republican CommitteemanHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NOCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 I would like to work with the village board, staff, the business community and residents to bring more businesses to Bartlett. The Town Center needs to be a priority, but there are other parts of the village, such as Brewster Creek Business Park, that contain fantastic opportunities for the businesses and the village alike.Key Issue 2 I would propose a citizen#146;s task force to investigate our water quality and the resident#146;s concerns over it.Key Issue 3 As a police officer and firefighter, I am always concerned about the safety of our residents. Bartlett remains an excellent place to live and raise a family. We have dedicated professional police, fire and emergency services. I want to see that those entities continue to get the support and inter-agency cooperation needed to maintain the quality of our public safety and improve it where possible.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?Even as a child, I was taught that serving others and your community are important parts of a fulfilling life. My career and private life have both centered on serving others. I bring with my service an attitude of get in, roll up the sleeves and get the work done. I believe in support and participation in the community, and injecting a can do positive attitude to the work of local government. I feel that holding elected office is one of the highest forms of trust one neighbor can place in another. I have experience with municipal budgets and intra and intergovernmental operations. I was a member of the collective bargaining unit at my police department, and served on its executive board. These experiences enhanced my understanding of fiscal responsibility and service to the citizens we are elected to serve.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.Bartlett is fortunate to currently have a stable economic outlook. The current taxes are appropriate. However, we must remain vigilant of the resident#146;s money and the way we spend it.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.The residents of Bartlett recognize we are a part of a great community. They also recognize we do not live in a bubble. People worry about the influence of crime, including gangs and drugs in our neighborhoods. While walking the neighborhoods people have shared their concerns of vehicular traffic; speeding cars, uncontrolled intersections and traffic congestion in residential and business areas. In some parts of our village, people are still very worried about flooding.All of these concerns can be addressed. I have personally experienced success in public safety issues by using the SARA method of problem solving, (Scanning, Analysis, Response and Assessment). The first step is to admit and understand there are challenges. Once identified, we must work in collaboration with all entities to propose solutions, implement them and insure we effectively address the problem. 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?During difficult times, all departments have to carry their share of cuts. Non-essential capital projects should be delayed until better economic times. Certainly the safety of the public must remain a priority and any cuts there must be minimized. As a part of our local economic recovery, we need to insure we are spending wisely, getting the most for our investments in attracting businesses to Bartlett.What#146;s one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?I would like to form a citizen#146;s task force to investigate the quality of our water.