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Robert Kovacs: Candidate Profile

Geneva Township Board (4-year Terms) (Independent)

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: GenevaWebsite: http://NoneOffice sought: Geneva Township Board (4-year Terms)Age: 65Family: Married, no ChildrenOccupation: Retired wine merchantEducation: BA Liberal Arts Marquette UniversityCivic involvement: Sons of the Legion, Belvidere, IlElected offices held: Geneva TWP Trustee, 2008-2012Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 ExperienceKey Issue 2 Dedication-Being retired, I have the time to devoteKey Issue 3 To continue to promote Senior Services in GenevaQuestions 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.Continue to control spending-From as small an issue as the cost of disposable cups at the Senior Ctr to adjusting office holders' contributions to their health care benefits. Reduce the role and budget of the Highway Commission by selling off unused equipment reducing further the burden of storing it. Expand the Senior Center with an addition, as well as increasing the number of programs offered, such as sharing the Park District's greenhouse for seniors that want to know more about gardening.In the 21st Century, with municipalities gobbling up vacant land, why are townships needed? Should they be serving a new role? If so, what?In our case, the city has been unwilling to incorporate sections of the Township. When asked to assume the duties of the Highway Commission, they quoted rates far higher than those we are currently contracting for. Simply put, Geneva Township needs our services. As to a new role in the 21st century, we feel the direction we took 8 years ago in developing Geneva's Senior Ctr into what it is today provides a very real benefit to our aging population.What should be the primary responsibility of township government?To provide necessary and beneficial services to the community that might not be properly addressed by other bodies of government.In these hard economic times, can you identify some township expenses/programs that could be trimmed or eliminated to reduce the tax burden?Based on my proposal, for the coming term we have frozen the salaries of all but two elected position to 2008 levels. We reduced the clerks salary and removed health insurance coverage. We froze the assessors salary at the current level. We eliminated COLA's and instituted Official's contribution to their Health Care plans. In the future we hope to reduce storage fees by selling off unused equipment.What specific background or experience do you bring that makes you the best qualified candidate to serve as an elected official in the township?37 years a resident of Geneva, 26 years a small business man on 3rd Street, a member of the Chamber of Commerce for those 26 years who has served on special committees. I know Geneva, and I know how to run a business profitably.