Shirley Grove-Valevicius: 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: BolingbrookWebsite: http://www.ShirleyVal.comOffice sought: DuPage Township Board (4-year Terms)Age: n/aFamily: Widowed 1982, married to Anton (Tony) G. Valevicius, 2 children; Tony P. Valevicius,and Cheryl L Barrett; 2 grandhildren, Ryan 13, and Alec 10.Occupation: Retired from Exelon Corp., currently elected DuPage Twp. Collector - 1 more year in term.Education: Sub. Teacher - Will Co. schls, Bus Gen Ed Degree - Joliet Jr. College, Lewis University, BA Business Adm.,(2004) MALS,Organizational Leadership, Special Diploma, Scholars Academy (2006)Civic involvement: Democratic Pct Committeeman 36 years BBK/Will Co resident for 39 years, Village Commissioner: presently sit on Art Counsel,formerly served on: Beautification Committee, Cultural Civic Affairs Comm,Public Relations Committee, former secretary to Village Zoning Board, Also belonged to several Animal environmental groups, Sierra Club, Peta, Green Peace, Lewis Alumni Board etc.Elected offices held: Presently: Deoctratic Committeeman - Pct. 8 DuPage Township, DuPage Township Tax Collector, Will County,Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Better accountabiluity and transparency in communicating with the publicKey Issue 2 More open with Voters and taxpayers, better communication with Community, Because it is needed. Some people don't know much about Townships and what they do for the Community.Key Issue 3 Makng sure Township does job maintaining a well-stocked food pantry, General Assistance, for those in need, although no road commissioner, maintains Roads in Township and upkeep of Alexander and Boardman cemeteries. Levy Sr. Center, keep center open and offering activities To keep the Townships functioning in order to help the people in the Community with their needs.Questions Answers Name the three most important goals or objectives this board should tackle in the coming term. Prioritize them, and briefly discuss why you believe each to be critical, and how the board should go about addressing them.1. Being more open and transparent on Township issues 2. Watching expenditures:, tax-payer monies, that are used for charities and other organizations 3. Employees and officials salaries: Keeping these fair and in-line with duties.In the 21st Century, with municipalities gobbling up vacant land, why are townships needed? Should they be serving a new role? If so, what?Townships serve many needs and roles, I believe they re needed. Townships take many services away from the local government and can better serve the Community without the beauocracy that usually accompanies larger government bodies. It can concentrate better on certain areas where assistance is needed and granted.What should be the primary responsibility of township government?General Assistance, esablishing a food pantry stocked by local businesses and agencies,proper allocation of Township tax monies.Maintanence of roads and cemeteries in the Township. Salaries for employees and officialsIn these hard economic times, can you identify some township expenses/programs that could be trimmed or eliminated to reduce the tax burden?Yes, I believe that certain charities and organizations should not be getting such large sums of taxpayer's money just for the asking. They need to prove hardship and why can't they fundraise or absorb some expenses to raise money? I don't believe most taxpayers know how some of their tax money is being given away to charities and organizations.What specific background or experience do you bring that makes you the best qualified candidate to serve as an elected official in the township?I care! I want to see taxes treated with more respect instead of "easy come - easy go" More accountabil8ity in use and reporting of tax money and its use. My background speaks for itself. I need to get in office to make changes for the better.