Jack Reck: 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 ZurichWebsite: http://www.ElaFirst.comOffice sought: Ela Township Board (4-year Terms)Age: 65Family: Married - 42 years 1 - sonOccupation: BankerEducation: Bradley University -Civic involvement: Lake Zurich Police Fire Commissioner - 20 years Lake Zurich Chamber of Commerce - 30 yrs.-past President Lake Zurich Lions Club - 38 yrs.-past treasurer/life member Foglia YMCA - past director Marine Corps League Detachment #1395 - paymaster American Legion Post #964 - 30 yearsElected offices held: Ela Township - trusteeHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 To insure the residents of Ela Township receive the proper stewardship of their funds.Key Issue 2 Increase the awareness of our new Ela Township Community Center.Key Issue 3 Expand on the services already provided to the Township residents.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.Continue to improve the relationships established between surrounding Villages and Townships by sharing resources and manpower when needed. We have worked well in the past when equipment, manpower or other resource is needed during an emergency and this should continue and even improve for other functions. 2. Continue to maintain the fiscal responsibility we have shown in the past. The ability to construct a new Township building and purchase a new Community Center without borrowing funds or raising tax dollars. 3.Continue to use the volunteer mechanism we have in place to maximize the effectiveness of the programs we have now have. Many of our existing run efficiently do to the help from volunteers, IE: Explorer Scouts for our electronics recycling event and traffic control at events, interns to help our social worker, individuals to help at our Community Center.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 were established 150 years ago to serve the people. I believe we continue to serve those who's needs might otherwise go unfulfilled.What should be the primary responsibility of township government?To provide for the people services that are not covered by state and village government such as general assistance, senior services, youth services, and transportation availability for senior and handicapped individuals to name a few.In these hard economic times, can you identify some township expenses/programs that could be trimmed or eliminated to reduce the tax burden?Ela Township receives about 1.5% of the total tax bill, which amounts to about $150.00-$200.00. It would be hard to trim any of our existing programs without sacrificing service already provided.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 been a township resident for 60 years and a banker in Ela Township for 40 of those years. Along with belonging to and serving on various commissions and service organizations, I feel I have a pretty good working knowledge of the needs of the Township.