Jeralyn Atleson: 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: MundeleinWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Fremont Township Board (4-year Terms)Age: Candidate did not respond.Family: Married, two childrenOccupation: Candidate did not respond.Education: Bachelor of Science in Business, Indiana University, 1998 Certified Public AccountantCivic involvement: Brownies Troop Cookie Manager Weekly Room Volunteer, Washington School in Mundelein Weekly Library Volunteer, Washington School in MundeleinElected offices held: Fremont Public Library Trustee (Treasurer)Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Efficient, timely delivery of services to residents of Fremont Township.Key Issue 2 Fiscal responsibilityKey Issue 3 TransparencyQuestions 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.This Board should look to keep costs down as it has in years' past while serving a growing community of residents looking for assistance. While each goal is critical, this is the most critical because the number of residents needing assistance is growing. The Board can address this by doing as it has done in years past: continually reviewing and analyzing budgets to minimize and hold any increase in tax levies. A second goal this Board should tackle in the coming term should be to reach out to both the community and to other units of government to ensure that the needs of the residents of the Township are being met. Lastly, with a growing senior population in Fremont Township, I believe the Board should review its senior programs.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 should be serving their neediest citizens with more local access to their food pantries, the Township Assessor's office, and servicing the unincorporated roads. Most other services should be reduced and looked to be as streamlined as possible.What should be the primary responsibility of township government?The primary responsibility of Township government is to aid the less fortunate residents of the Township, whether through access to the food pantry, clothing donations, and local access to their Township Assessor. The Township government should also be responsible for road maintenance in unincorporated areas of the Township.In these hard economic times, can you identify some township expenses/programs that could be trimmed or eliminated to reduce the tax burden?With increasing insurance costs, I believe it is important to always be looking for better insurance coverage for the lowest cost possible.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 have had several years as a Trustee on the Library Board. I also have many years' experience in business as a CPA. I feel being a mother of two young children offers a different perspective and experience that I can bring to the Township.