Tom Wajda: Candidate profile

Bio

Name: Tom Wajda

City: Gilberts

Office sought: Trustee - Village of Gilberts

Age: 69

Family: Married 25 years, wife Catherine, stepchildren Ryan and Katrina

Occupation: Retired engineer

Education: BS Electrical Engineering - Computer Science

Civic involvement:

Volunteer Special Olympics

Volunteer Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run

Certified CERT (Citizens Emergency Response Team) Trainer

Previous elected offices held:

President Village of Gilberts (2004-2008)

Trustee - Villager of Gilberts (1997-2008)

Trustee - Village of Gilberts Police Pension Board

Plan Commission member - Village of Gilberts

Incumbent? No

Website: n/a

Facebook: Tom Wajda

Twitter: n/a

Issue questions

What are the most important issues facing your community and how do you intend to address them?

My concerns are that our new residential development is stressing village resources and infrastructure. I feel that when previously negotiated annexation agreements for road improvements, traffic signals, impact fees and public improvements are being removed, the residents and the community loses. As a result, daily traffic jams occur by the school and the new development which is a serious safety problem for residents, drivers and children. If elected, I will investigate why these improvements were deleted and what benefits the village received that were more important than roads and public safety. I will work to see these improvements restored.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

My previous experience in serving the community as a trustee and village president and in engaging the residents allowed several positive outcomes in the village. To name a few: Gilberts Elementary school, installation of the first and only water and wastewater treatment plant, procurement of the new village hall, procurement of a public works building to store trucks and equipment, procurement of a 700+ ton road salt barn, expansion of the municipal water system with two additional elevated water towers, extension of water, wastewater and drainage to the Old Town Area and the installation of 3 severe weather emergency alert sirens. Since having been out of office I have attended 280+ village meetings to keep current on what is happening.

Describe your leadership style and explain how you think that will be effective in producing actions and decisions with your village board or city council.

Like I did in the past, I would encourage discussion among the Village Board members and the public. When I previously served on the board, at village meetings where agenda items affected the public, it was not uncommon to have 250+ residents in attendance. This frequently resulted in the Village meetings having to be moved to the Middle School to accommodate everyone. I worked with our residents and petitioned the D300 school district to locate the Gilberts Elementary school within the Village. Additionally, working with residents, we were able to change the boundary agreements so all children living within Gilberts were able to attend the school. If elected I will encourage open discussion among board members and encourage input from our residents. Working together I am sure we can come up with a solution that benefits the residents and the Village.

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 people want?

I am concerned that as a result of current Village board actions and the current annexation agreement, public infrastructure and safety have not kept up with the population growth. As a result, according to approved Village documents, in the last 10 years the population has increased by 34%, Part I crimes (most Severe) have increased by 35% and Part II crimes (less severe) have increased by 11%, while police and public works personnel have decreased by 20%. Additionally, business licenses issued by the Village have fallen by 61%. If elected, I intend to get behind these numbers and come up with a plan to make our community safe and thriving again.

What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?

I understand that there are many more pressures and commitments that limit the time that residents have to attend village board meetings. As such, if elected, I am offering my trustee compensation to pay for the installation of a video camera at village hall so that residents can remotely and conveniently view what happens at village board meetings.