Andrew Yuscka: Candidate profile

Bio

Name: Andrew Yuscka

City: West Dundee

Office sought: Trustee

Age: 67

Family: Wife-Mary Ellen

Occupation: Retired

Education: BS in Business

Civic involvement: Election Judge 1994-1997, West Dundee Park Redevelopment Committee 1998-1999, Past member of Dundee Highlands School Improvement Team, Heritage Fest committee member and volunteer, Halloween Party in the park volunteer, West Dundee Liquor Commissioner and I try to help with whatever event is taking place in West Dundee.

Previous elected offices held: 5 term West Dundee Trustee

Incumbent? If yes, when were you first elected? Yes, 1999

Website: No

Facebook: No

Twitter: No

Issue questions

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

West Dundee is faced with many of the same issues that our surrounding communities are dealing with. There is an increased cost to doing business while still trying to provide the level of service that our residents have become accustomed to. The village still has one of the lowest total municipal tax rates in the region because we continue to grow a diverse tax base by adding smart developments. I support our efforts to consolidate public services with our neighbors in order to reduce costs. Several bills will be introduced to the new legislature in Springfield that may address the rising pension costs that are mandated to us. We must encourage some action on this with our representatives in Springfield. Spring Hill Mall continues to be an asset to the community and we continue to try to leverage up private investment, as was achieved three years ago with the $40-million investment by Rouse Properties. We continue to pursue new ideas for the Spring Hill Mall area in conjunction with Carpentersville in order to meet the changing commercial market and attempt to draw more entertainment and visitors to this area.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

The knowledge and experience that I have gained while serving on the board for twenty years. As a result, I will continue to make informed decisions that benefit the residents and businesses of West Dundee and their quality of life. As a candidate for the job, I will continue to utilize a very common sense and financially responsible approach toward making decisions that are in the best interest of the West Dundee community.

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.

I have never had my own agenda while serving the community. I listen very carefully to all of the comments and questions during the discussion of an agenda item before making my own comments. I am not quick to speak because you can learn so much by listening to others. After careful thought, I vote for what I feel is in the best interests of the community as a whole. I also think that through discussion it is important to try to reach a consensus whenever possible. We are fortunate at the present time to have a board that works together and does well to service our community.

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?

Every April, the Village has approved a balanced budget with conservative projections and expenses. Along with the Village staff, the Board constantly reviews the budget throughout the course of the fiscal year and makes midyear adjustments if needed. As a Village, our General Fund expenses, which account for the majority of our municipal services, have increased by less than 1.5% annually over the last seven years. In addition, the Village has been able to reestablish a capital investments program of approximately $1.1-million annually, which we are reinvesting back into the community through our streets, utility systems and equipment. As a Village Board and as an elected official, our primary responsibility and goal is to be good stewards of public dollars and to make good decisions moving forward.

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

I would like to see a pedestrian overpass built across Randall Road. I would encourage that the overpass be considered once the east side of Randall between Binnie and Rt. 72 is developed. This would allow for connectivity from the east end of the Village to the west. The west side of Randall has the rec center, the library, ball fields, the zoo, the golf course, the hockey rink and DMS. Wouldn't it be great if all of these facilities could be reached by biking or walking rather than just by car?