Bruce Berkshire: Candidate Profile

Back to Roselle Village Board

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:BioQA Bio City: RoselleWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Roselle Village Board Age: 50Family: Wife Janet, daughter Jessica, and son MatthewOccupation: Business ArchitectEducation: Bachelors of Mechanical Engineering, University of Illinois, ChicagoCivic involvement: Commissioner on the Zoning Board Commissioner on the Zoning Board of AppealsElected offices held: Candidate did not respond.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?Being a commissioner on the Zoning Board provided me insight into the village planning and the opportunity to collaborate within a committee to shape Roselle. My experience as a Project Manager provides me the leadership and decision making skills to be an effective Trustee; as a Business Architect I can provide a business strategic planning perspective to enhance the village's long term planning goals.What is your opinion of your community's present level of local sales and property taxes? Is the tax just right, too low or too high? Explain.I believe the current tax level is just right. As a community, with a set income it is the responsibility of the Village officials to define and prioritize initiatives based on the known budget but also to set the correct expectations with the constituents on what can be accomplished.Rate the efficiency of your town's police and fire coverage. Are the departments well prepared for the next decade? What, if anything, should be changed? Do you have specific public safety concerns?창#128;cent;Without first-hand information of either the police or fire coverage, to the best of my knowledge I would rate them as sufficient. 창#128;cent;As technology advances I am sure changes will be needed within the decade, but since most business strategic roadmaps are of a 3-5 year view I would believe these departments are prepared for that timeframe. 창#128;cent;I do not have a specific public safety concern and until I am better informed of the current state within these departments I am uncertain as whether changes are needed.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?As a non-incumbent, not having full insight into the planning or Village budget I am at a disadvantage to fully assess the current budget allocations. As a newly elected Trustee, I believe it is my responsibility to bring new perspectives and insights into the process, ensuring correct allocations and alignment are there for the future of the Village.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?Time and efforts have been spent to compare Roselle with other communities and to try to assimilate to those communities. I want to understand why Roselle is perceived as a 창#128;~drive through community', and then determine the uniqueness of Roselle to build upon those aspects, which will have people stop or pause on their way through. One thought is to restart a Farmer's Market, but do so through professional firms who can bring a quantity and quality of goods to a designated space that can support a larger market place.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?With limited open space for development, I want to determine how the Village can make the best of under-utilized areas or drive needed improvements to bring in new businesses and services to the people of Roselle.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Bruce Rauner - against the odds he held fast to his belief of fixing Illinois; many would not have challenged the the status quo.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?The value of money and the importance of supporting your family and friends.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?The things in my past shaped me - there is not any specific thing I would change to try and make me a different person.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Mechanical Dynamics; my Professor provided additional coaching and mentoring, which inspired me to get my Mechanical Engineering degree and helped solidify my collegiate direction.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?There is no entitlement; you need to make your own opportunities and work hard to reach your achievements.