Stephen Henley: 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: VoloWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Volo Village Board (4-year Terms)Age: 63Family: Married to Karen 2 Children 2 GrandchildrenOccupation: Banker - Senior Vice PresidentEducation: Masters of BusinessCivic involvement: Paul Harris Fellow US Navy Honorable Discharge 1969-1974 Past Chairman Lake County YMCAElected offices held: Village of Vernon Hills Trustee - 1991-2004Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Lake Michigan WaterKey Issue 2 Economic DevelopmentKey Issue 3 Candidate did not respond.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?Experienced working in a collective environment that includes the Trustees, Staff and Consultants in addressing the current key issues facing the Village of Volo. The outcome of addressing these key issues now, will benefit the residents of Volo currently, and in the future.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.Balancing a budget is a challenge for anyone, especially public entities. When its residents and businesses are stretched themselves to balance their own budgets; unlike the Federal Government, we can not print our own money and shoulder the burden on our future Volo residents. We have to rely on property and sales taxes. Volo has created an environment that balances taxation with fiscal responsibility in not spending the hard paid tax dollars by our residents and businesses, by ensuring a balanced budget. The Finance Committee has oversight responsibility in preparing the budget with Staff, Consultants and various Village Committees that ensures the highiest quality in Village services.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.In the northern quadrant of the Village it would have to be the signalization of Molidor, Sulivan Lake and Route 12. The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has designated this intersection in the top five of safety concerns. IDOT currently is in Phase 2 planning of this intersection. Construction funding is scheduled in 2014 with completion of the signalization of this intersection sometime in 2015. The Village of Volo' Staff and Consultants and various elected officials continue working and monitoring the progress of this project.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?In the context of your question, yes we do prioritize the spending portion of the Village' budget. It is the philosophy of the Village and its elected officials, that we appropriate funds that maximize our Village wide services. We are entrusted by our residents as elected officials, to be the guardians of their hard earned and paid tax dollars in a manner of fiscal responsibility. The Finance Committee is in the process of establishing "Reserve Funds" ensuring there will be adequate funds available in the future for public improvements.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?Work with current unincorporated property owners in annexing into the Village of Volo that will foster and promote economic development beneficial to both parties.