Sandy Hartogh: Candidate Profile

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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: Island LakeWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Island Lake Village Board Age: Candidate did not respond.Family: Candidate did not respond.Occupation: Administrative Assistant - Regulatory Affairs - AbbVie PharmaceuticalsEducation: Northeastern Illinois University Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Communications/JournalismCivic involvement: Village of Island Lake Events Committee Notary Public Soil Water Conservation District of Lake County Board of Directors/Treasurer 2003-2012 National Exchange Club Round Lake Area Chapter 2007-2009 National Exchange Club Grayslake Area Chapter 1999-2006 United Partnership for a Better Community - Wauconda 2010-2013 International Rotary Club Wauconda Chapter 2009-2011 Northeast Illinois Council Boy Scouts of America Idlewood Pack 671 2000-2009Elected offices held: Board Member and Treasurer - Soil and Water Conservation District of Lake CountyQuestions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?My diverse experience in public, private and non-profit sectors makes me one of the best candidates for the job of trustee for the Village of Island Lake. I've covered many county, village and school board meetings as a former reporter, so I'm very familiar with the process of local government. In addition, I've worked at the state level for the Illinois House of Representatives. Working within that scope of government provided me with the skills to read and interpret legislative documents, and gave me the opportunity to interact with constituents and local, state and federal agencies. I also served for eight years, as an elected board member and treasurer for the Soil and Water Conservation District of Lake County -an advisory branch of government overseen by the Illinois Department of Agriculture. In this role, I became very familiar with Natural Resource Inventory (NRI) reports and the preservation of environmental assets within the county. This knowledge would enable me to assist, as a trustee, in the continued preservation of village assets such as public parks, open space and the lake. In the non-profit sector, I served as an executive director for the Wauconda Area Chamber of Commerce. My experience working closely with local businesses both in Wauconda and Island Lake will help me to bring economic development ideas to the table. I believe that all of my combined work experience along with my civic and volunteer work makes me a perfectly rounded candidate for the job of village trustee.How would you describe the condition of your community's budget, and what are the most important specific actions the town should take to assure providing the level of services that people want?It's difficult to answer that question since the last published annual financial report for the village was in 2012. However, based on the village treasurer reports at village board meetings, it appears that the village and its employees are doing an excellent job of following the approved budget and maintaining expenses vs. revenues. As far as specific actions the village should take with regard to service levels, the majority of the residents I've had the pleasure to meet and speak with said road repairs and increased economic development are two of the key issues they would like the village to address.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?I'm not sure the budget has room to be trimmed. The current administration is working hard to catch up with the police pension deficit it inherited. They've already paid back $100,000.00, but still have a long way to go. As far as areas where the budget does not give enough money to, I would have to say village roads. But at a national average of about $300,000.00 per mile to resurface a road, I don't see how the current budget can accommodate that expenditure without a big financial boost. I'm not in favor of raising taxes for road improvements until the village has exhausted researching all avenues of financial assistance from other resources. I'd like to see a small portion of the budget allocated to village fireworks. I know they were part of the budget in years past, and that is usually the first thing to go when budget trimming has to be done, but I think residents still like the idea of being able to enjoy some of their tax dollars with family and friends.Have village officials done enough to reduce the size of the monthly legal bills? What more should be done?Absolutely! Hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal bills from previous administration have been cut by more than 65% with the current administration.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?When I was young, my parents took me to Holland, Michigan to see the Tulip Festival. Since then, I've always dreamed of living in a place where visitors are welcomed by an endless stretch of flowers along a main street. It would be a big project that would require the whole village to pitch in, but just envision our portion of Route 176 lined with vibrant color. Not only would such a project help to bring residents together, it would also provide horticultural and ecological education. And, think of the economic impact if it becomes a favorite tourist attraction in the spring and summer months!What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Government transparency, fiscal responsibility and giving residents the chance to speak their mind without the fear of ridicule or repercussions from those whom they voted to represent them. Everyone can't be in agreement all of the time, but I believe differences of opinion are a great learning tool.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Candidate did not respond.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Personal responsibility, fiscal accountability and good work ethics.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I wouldn't do anything over. I'm a firm believer that things happen for a reason. I'm where I need to be right now.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?English helped me to become a reporter, which led me to meet many fascinating people, all of whom lent some influence in my life.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Be true to yourself.