Stephen Harlfinger: 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: Lake In The HillsWebsite: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Committee-to-Elect-Stephen-J-Harlfinger#!/Office sought: Lake In The Hills Board (4-year Terms)Age: 37Family: Wife - Danielle (Married 3/17/1996), Daughter - Alexandria (12), Daugther - Brooke (9)Occupation: Vice President - Sterling Fire Restoration, Ltd.Education: High School, Some CollegeCivic involvement: Volunteer Lake In The Hills Rotary Club, Volunteer Lake In The Hills Summer Sunset Festival, American Legion Post 1231Elected offices held: Village Trustee - Village of Lake In The Hills, IL April 26, 2001-CurrentHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Continue to work with residents, local businesses, and developers to promote commercial development in Lake In The Hills. Areas around the Airport, Rt 31, Rt 47, Randall/Alginquin Rd Area, and other zoned related sections of the village.Key Issue 2 Strive to continue to work with residents, our Police Department, the Fire Districts (3), and our Community Development Department in developing safety standards for our streets, homes, and new developments.Key Issue 3 Concentrate on strengthening our relationships with various civic groups to assist the community during the years, and promote assistance from these groups as needed to the residents of Lake In The Hills.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?My years of experience not only as an elected official, but also being the only currently serving board member that grew up in Lake In The Hills. I grew up in the Presidential Section, and watched as this village grew from a small community to a thriving suburb. As I am still the youngest trustee to serve in Lake In The Hills, I can relate to the wants and needs of the original sections residents, as well as the residents west of Randall Road. When I was elected I lived in the original section, I currently reside near Sunset Park. In doing this, I feel that I have helped in strengthening the relationships of all areas in Lake In The Hills, as well as our neighboring villages.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.We have discussed our sales tax base over the years. Currently we are at the same rate as our neighbors in Crystal Lake and Algonquin. This is to benefit the residents, as Lake In The Hills is currently a route between the economic centers in other villages (and cities). Most of our sales seem to point to people passing through Lake In The Hills. Hopefully as we continue to develop our commercial areas, this may allow us to lower the sales tax rate to lessen the burden on both businesses, residents, and the people just passing through.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.Our Police and the Fire Districts are doing an outstanding job in keeping our residents safe and protected. Our crime rate is not high by any standards comapred to villages of our size. The biggest concern that I have been informed of from residents is the traffic safety issues at Randall/Algonquin Roads, Acorn/Randall Road, and the concern of McHenry County's current plan for that corridor. Lake In The Hills (and Algonquin) have worked to address these issues with McHenry County, and will continue to discuss the area until a mutual plan can be developed that address these and a few other concerns.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?Our staff has done an excellent job in allowing Lake In The Hills to do more, with less. Our Village has won numerous awards for our budget. I believe that we are still following that path of being responsible with our budget. Our Parks and Recreation Department is working with civic groups and local business to help out on programs when needed and if possible.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?Over the years I have helped in developing numerous items to improve and assist the resident of Lake In The Hills. One item that I am reviewing information about is the current issue on vacant homes from the unfortunate residents that have had to leave this village because of the financial situation they face. I am speaking to several residents that are in the situation, have gone through the situation, or had to leave because of this matter. The concern is that many of these homes are left to sit in a neighborhood for various lengths of time, and some become a shell of its former self. We need to work with the mortgage companies to better maintain the properties, and hold them accountable if they fail to do so. Also, we are still working with local realtors in stressing the need to get these homes occupied and bring the new residents into our great community.