John Willis: Candidate profile
Bio
Name: John R. Willis
City: Inverness
Office sought: Village Trustee
Family: Married (Nancy) three grown children
Occupation: Manufacturer's reprehensive, Distributor
Education: University of Illinois
Civic involvement: Treasurer, Town homes, Inverness on the Ponds, board member and past president Western Trades
Previous elected offices held: Present trustee of Village of Inverness
Are you an incumbent? If yes, when were you first elected? Yes, 2007.
Issue questions
What are the most important issues facing your community and how do you intend to address them?
The most important issue, Always! Is public safety, including Police and fire. This is way our single largest expense item is Police.
What makes you the best candidate for the job?
I have been a board member for two terms and wish to continue the excellent management that the village has maintained. Fiscal, safety, appearance and responding to residents' concerns.
Describe your leadership style and explain how you think that will be effective in producing actions and decisions with your village board.
I am a good listener, and make sure that I fully understand issues. I welcome differing opinions', a little "humor" helps.
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?
Inverness has a very sound fiscal structure. We have performed under budget for many consecutive years. We have reserves and a AAA1 bond rating. We are able to respond to emergencies such as the recent snow storms that caused major damage to trees and power. Cost for cleanup $65K.
What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?
The Board has addressed new Ideas monthly. We react and perform, We have the continuing concern for the State's Fiscal status and concern that they will push their problems down to the Municipalities. That's why we maintain reserves.