Jim Moran: 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: LibertyvilleWebsite: http://www.MoranForLibertyville.comOffice sought: Libertyville Village boardAge: 33Family: Candidate did not respond.Occupation: Senior sales executive / Educational Consultant with Loyola Press WBBM-AM Traffic Reporter (Part-Time - former full-time Chicago news/traffic reporter for over the past decade - former stations include, WLS-AM, WIND-AM, WKRS-AM, WIIL-FM)Education: Northern Michigan University - AccountingFormer student government Treasurer of the Associated Students of Northern Michigan University / Also served as Chairman of the Student Finance Committee and Station Manager of WUPX-FM.Civic involvement: Life-long, active Libertyville resident. Author of the Arcadia Publishing book, #147;Images of America: Libertyville#148;1995 Graduate of Libertyville High SchoolFormer Captain - Libertyville Police Department Explorer Post 821Former Libertyville Public Works summertime employee / Former Libertyville Village Hall Finance and Administration intern.I am a current or past member of the following local organizations/clubs:Libertyville/Mundelein Historical Society - Vice PresidentLibertyville Brainerd Community Center - PresidentMainStreet Libertyville - Board Member / Membership ChairmanLibertyville Civic Center FoundationLibertyville Sunrise Rotary ClubLibertyville Noon Rotary ClubLiberty Prairie ConservancyActive member of several local campaign committeesLibertyville Republican Central Committee - SecretaryElected offices held: Candidate did not respond.Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Is the Village Running as Financially Efficient as Possible?With the Village#146;s finances in peril, are we operating as efficient as possible? As the Village continues to increase taxes on residents and businesses, we need to make sure expenses are cut, first. Libertyville needs to reinvent itself and change from a growing rural community, to a municipality that has reached its#146; physical limits. Also, are staffing levels adequate? There has never been a study to make sure that departments across the village are adequately staffed. Are there too many employees? Are there too few? A comprehensive evaluation of how our Libertyville operates needs to be undertaken. Is our Village government efficient for the people who use government resources? There is too much red tape/ bureaucracy involved with many aspects of our building/zoning process. This must be simplified while the government operations are reinvented. Pension Problem #8211; While the government employee pension problem can#146;t be fixed by the Village of Libertyville, Village leaders can work with our other local, county and state lawmakers to help ease the burden of employee pensions. Currently, the #1 expense by the Village of Libertyville are payments to the State of Illinois pension fund.Key Issue 2 Better Utilization of Village Online ResourcesThe Village of Libertyville has made recent advances in providing more information to residents via the Internet - However, there are still many areas to improve. It#146;s time to revamp the village website #8211; we need an easier to use website that provides essential information. The informational packets that the trustees and media receive before the Village Board meetings should be put online, in addition the video broadcast of Village Board meetings.Key Issue 3 Historic PreservationA Historic Preservation ordinance is needed for the Village of Libertyville. Some municipalities have ordnances that burden residents with numerous restrictions. The Village of Libertyville can craft an ordinance that protects the historic appeal/character of our community, while not burdening the property owner with too many restrictions and necessity for cash outlay.Questions Answers Should the village consider economic incentives to attract new business/development? Explain your answer.Yes - attracting and retaining businesses to Libertyville is essential to the finances of the Village. Residents have been hit hard by new taxes. Local businesses are also struggling because of an increased tax burden. The Village needs to do what they can to help foster growth in existing businesses and help attract new/needed businesses to our community.How can the village work with IDOT to ensure the Milwaukee/Peterson intersection work minimizes disruptions for commuters?First of all - this is a great projoect. When the construction is done, it will be easier for residents of neighboring communitites to visit Libertyville.If red-light camera revenue continues to be well below projections, will you support removing them? Explain your answer.There has not been any evidence to show these cameras improve safety at the traffic intersections #8211; plus, these cameras have not provided much revenue to the village. They have only created another obstacle for business owners to attract customers to their stores. It#146;s time to remove the cameras.To what extent should a historic preservation ordinance affect individual property owners?A Historic Preservation ordinance is needed for the Village of Libertyville. Some municipalities have ordnances that burden residents with numerous restrictions. The Village of Libertyville can craft an ordinance that protects the historic appeal/character of our community, while not burdening the property owner with too many restrictions and necessity for cash outlay.How best can the village maintain its deteriorating streets as the damage worsens without investment?Proper maintenance and a strict evaluation of what resources are spent on street repair. The Village already has started to forgo projects that can wait for another year or two - I believe this policy should continue. However, necessary street maintenance/repair is a necessary expense for the village.