Tom Hundley: 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: AddisonWebsite: http://addisonunited.orgOffice sought: Addison Village boardAge: 45Family: Married,four children, two step-childrenOccupation: Transportation ServicesEducation: Driscoll Catholic High SchoolU.S. Navy veteranCivic involvement: Addison Knights of Columbus, Addison American Legion Post 1969, C.E.R.T.S, Addison Rec Club, Past JayceeElected offices held: Addison Village Trustee 1999-presentHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 My number one issue is the continued work on the Lake St. redevelopment and planning of the ""Town Center"". I feel we have an unique opportunity now with the down turn of the economy to study the planning of the ""Town Center"" to ensure the best development for the Lake St/Addison Rd corridor. We also need to work closely with our existing businesses to help them where we can in these difficult economic times while also encouraging new businesses to move into town. A good example of property that needs to be redeveloped is the property located at the southeast corner of Lake Street and Mill Road which has become run down due to the low amount of occupancy and lack of upkeep. We need to continue working with this property owner and others to help them redevelop their property so they can show potential businesses the advantage of having their business in Addison. Addison is surrounded by two major highways and various state routes. Our demographics also help showcase the advantages of having a business in Addison.Key Issue 2 The development of Senior Housing is one area we need to continue to pursue. After talking and working closely with residents, we found there is a need for Senior Housing ranging from independent living to full-time care. Due to a lack of funding, we have seen projects come and go in the past. We are currently working with a developer and have a proposal before us now. The Village should pursue other Senior Housing developers to show them the need and demand for Senior Housing in the Village. This will help a very important group of our citizens who call Addison ""home"".Key Issue 3 It is important to continue implementing the Transit Improvement Study submitted to the Village in 2009. This study is important for the present and future of the economic growth of Addison. One of the ideas the study calls for is the implantation of two transit shelters. One would be located within the Walmart/Sams Club shopping center. The second would be located at the proposed ""Town Center"". The shelters will give our residents and out of town visitors a protective area to wait for bus transportation after enjoying all that Addison has to offer. Many ideas of the study identify the advantages Addison has to offer to new business and retail developers. This study is one more example of how Addison is a major hub for business.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?Experience. While serving on the board, I have shown proven leadership and dedication to Public Service. I have been able to make responsible decisions to ensure fiscal responsibility and transparency in local government while maintaining Village services and our ""AAA"" bond rating. I have shown the ability to work with the other taxing bodies and our local state officials to ensure we are working together for the betterment of Addison. I have worked hard to create relationships with residents to ensure they feel comfortable talking to me and expressing their ideas about any issues within the Village. I enjoy serving the Community. This is my home where I am raising my children. While serving on the board, the decisions I make not only effect my family but the future of Addison.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.Our present local sales tax rate is just right. It is comparable with our surrounding communities. Our local sales tax rate and fiscal responsibility have allowed us to attract new business such as Panera Bread. Existing businesses such as Walmart, Sam's Club, and Jewel have made significant re-investments in their business for either expansion or upgrades to their stores.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.While talking with my friends, neighbors, and other residents, I found their main concern was the upkeep of abandoned foreclosed properties. Vacant properties that are not maintained provide opportunity and invite crime to occur. Due to the state of the economy, we have seen a rise in foreclosed properties. Residents are concerned that these properties will not be kept up and will decline and not meet the standards of the surrounding properties. In response to this concern and to ensure this does not happen, Village staff monitor foreclosure listings for Addison. These listings are then giving to the Community Development Department and the Community Response Unit. They monitor the properties to ensure they are kept up.If these properties are not maintained, an inspector will contact the mortgage company or bank and make them aware of the situation. They are also informed of any Village code violations. Working together, issues are resolved to ensure that crime is prevented and the surrounding home values are not affected.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 chairmen of the Finance and Policy committee, I am able to have a hands on approach to the budget. With the uncertainty of future sales tax payments from the State of Illinois to the Village, I applaud Village staff for trimming their budgets while maintaining the excellent level of Village services. The Village Board has been able to make responsible decisions by identifying the critical needs within our budget. We have directed our staff to present us with a bare bones budget that addresses the most critical needs of the Village. By doing so, we are able to maintain Village services and avoid employee layoffs. The reality is, we have to prioritize our needs and operate within our budget.What#146;s one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?I am fortunate to serve with Board members who will listen to all ideas. I cannot think of a time when I had a new idea that was not talked about. When new ideas are brought up, they are discussed with other Board members. We then forward the ideas to one of our many focus groups such as Citizens Advisory Council, ""Town Center"" task force or one of many commissions. One such idea was the Crime Free Multi Housing Program and Community Response Unit. Trustee Lynch and I learned about this program at a conference we attended. We presented this idea to the other Board members. After much discussion, we asked the Police Department and Community Development Department to put the program together. We now have a Crime Free Multi Housing and Community Response program. I feel it would be difficult to serve the residents of Addison, If I could not present new ideas to other board members. I feel all ideas should be talked about. This truly shows responsible local government, accountability, and transparency.