RANDY RAMEY: 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: CAROL STREAMWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Twitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: RANDY RAMEY FOR WAYNE TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOROffice sought: Wayne Township Supervisor Age: 54Family: ZACHARY-20ALEXANDRA-17CHRISTOPHER-14Occupation: MIDWEST DIRECTOR FOR TIPSEducation: BS IN RESTAURANT MANAGEMENTUNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS, URBANA-CHAMPAIGNCivic involvement: MASONSSCOTTISH RITEMEDINAH SHRINERSWAYNE TOWNSHIP GENERAL ASSISTANCEBARTLETT VETERANS MEMORIALNORTHERN ILLINOIS FOOD BANKABATEElected offices held: WAYNE TOWNSHIP TRUSTEESTATE REPRESENTATIVE, 55TH DISTRICTQuestions Answers Name the three most important goals or objectives this board should tackle in the coming term. Prioritize them, and briefly discuss why you believe each to be critical, and how the board should go about addressing them.THE BOARD WILL BE COMPRISED OF NEW INDIVIDUALS OF VARYING BACKGROUNDS AND I BELIEVE THEY WILL HAVE NEW IDEAS ON HOW TO GOVERN OUR TOWNSHIP. TO SAY OUR OBJECTIVES HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED WOULD BE PREMATURE. I PERSONALLY HAVE LOOKED AT WHAT OUR UPCOMING CHALLENGES WILL BE AND MY GOALS WOULD INCLUDE FINDING WHAT GRANTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR PROGRAMS TO KEEP COSTS DOWN ON OUR BUDGET, SEEING WHAT GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES THE TOWNSHIP COULD MANAGE BETTER TO BRING ON SOME CONSOLIDATION AND PROPERTY TAX RELIEF AND REVIEWING THE BUILDING MAINTENANCE AND ENHANCEMENT PRIORITIES. THERE ARE ALWAYS DAILY CHALLENGES TO BE MET BUT THE GOAL SHOULD REMAIN TO KEEP TOWNSHIPS THE MOST EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT GOVERNMENT FOR THE TAX PAYERS. I BELIEVE THAT WE SHOULD BE EDUCATING THE COMMUNITY MORE ON THAT VALUE AND OF ALL THAT THE TOWNSHIP HAS TO OFFER.What should be the primary responsibility of township government?THE 3 STATUTORY OBLIGATIONS ARE THE ASSESSMENTS, THE ROADS AND GENERAL ASSISTANCE. EACH TOWNSHIP HAS DEVELOPED OTHER PROGRAMS THAT HAVE ACCENTUATED THEIR VISIBILTY IN THE COMMUNITY. THE SENIOR PROGRAMS ARE THE MOST VIABLE. WAYNE TOWNSHIP FOR INSTANCE HAS OVER 700 MEMBERS IN THEIR GROUP AND HAS ACTIVITIES FOR THEM EVERYDAY. WHERE WOULD THESE PEOPLE GO OR WHAT WOULD THEY DO IF IT WERE NOT AVAILABLE?WAYNE TOWNSHIP HAS ALSO DEVELOPED A STRONG AREA YOUTH SERVICES PROGRAM WITH WINFIELD TOWNSHIP. THESE PROGRAMS HAVE HELPED THOUSANDS OF AT RISK CHILDREN IN OUR COMMUNITIES.I BELIEVE THE TOWNSHIP CAN CONTINUE TO BE A COMPLIMENT TO THE MUNICIPALITIES AS WELL AS THE COUNTY. I WILL BE LOOKING TO SEE WHAT OTHER BENEFITS CAN BE MANAGED AT THE TOWNSHIP.In the 21st Century, with municipalities gobbling up vacant land, why are townships needed? Should they be serving a new role? If so, what?I THINK THAT IN WAYNE TOWNSHIP THE SO CALLED "GOBBLE UP" RATE HAS SLOWED TO A STAND STILL. WITH SO MUCH OF THE OPEN LAND BEING CONTROLLED BY THE FOREST PRESERVE THERE IS NOT MUCH MORE ROOM FOR GROWTH.I BELIEVE THE TOWNSHIP ROLE WILL CONTINUE AS IS AND CAN GROW WITH THE TALK OF CONSOLIDATION. THE GOVERNOR'S TASK FORCE IDENTIFIED MANY AREAS WHERE TOWNSHIPS CAN TAKE ON ADDED RESPONSIBLITIES AND REDUCE THE PROPERTY TAX BURDEN FROM OTHER SPECIALTY TAXING BODIES. TOWNSHIPS RUN VERY EFFICIENTLY AND CAN BE THE CONDUIT OF A MORE TAX PAYER FRIENDLY PROPERTY TAX BURDEN.Are there any township offices that should be eliminated or consolidated?PEOPLE TEND TO FORGET THAT CONSOLIDATION IS ALWAYS AVAILABLE THROUGH ANNEXATION. THE PROBLEM BEING THAT THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS ENJOY THEIR LIFE STYLE AND USUALLY REBEL AGAINST ANY ANNEXATION PLAN. MANY COSTS COME INTO PLAY WITH THIS ENDEAVOR SO TO THINK THAT ANY WAYNE TOWNSHIP OFFICES ARE GOING TO BE ELIMINATED WOULD BE FOOLISH. ALL THE TOWNSHIP FUNCTIONS EXCEPT OCCASIONALLY THE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT ARE AVAILABLE TO EVERY INDIVIDUAL IN THE TOWNSHIP.IF AT A TIME WHEN ANNEXATION HAS TAKEN ENOUGH OF THE ROADS AWAY FROM THE HIGHWAY COMMISSIONER THEN THAT WOULD BE ONE AREA TO CONSIDER. THE HIGHWAY COMMISSIONER DOES OFFER MANY AMENITIES TO THE UNINCORPORATED AREA SO THE MUNICIPALITY WILL NEED TO KEEP UP THE SERVICES WHEN CONSIDERING THE ACQUISITION.Can you identify some township expenses/programs that could be trimmed or eliminated to reduce the tax burden?THE CURRENT BOARD HAS ALREADY DONE A MAGNIFICENT JOB IN KEEPING THE TOWNSHIP'S PROPERTY TAX BURDEN THE LOWEST ON YOUR BILL. RECENTLY THEY HAVE CUT SALARIES AND IMPLEMENTED FINANCIAL EFFICIENCIES TO KEEP THE LEVY IN THE 2% OR LESS AREA OF THE PROPERT TAX BURDEN.THERE ARE ALWAYS WAYS TO REDUCE EXPENSES AND IT WILL BE MY AND THE BOARDS CHARGE TO CONTINUE STRONG FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILTY OF THE TAX PAYERS MONEY. REVIEW OF PROGRAMS WILL BE ONGOING TO KEEP FROM DUPLICATION AND TO WEED OUT INEFFECTIVE OR INEFFICIENT EXPENSES.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?I BELIEVE THE CONTINUED BASHING OF TOWNSHIP GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN UNDUE IN ARE AREA. TO ASSUME THE ELIMINATION OF TOWNSHIP GOVERNMENT WILL SAVE TAX PAYERS MONEY IS A FALSE HOPE. THE 3 STATUTORY OBLIGATIONS HAVE TO BE TAKEN CARE OF BY SOMEONE OR SOME ENTITY. CAN IT BE DONE AS EFFICIENTLY OR AS EFFECTIVELY HAS NOT BEEN PROVEN. IN FACT, STUDIES HAVE SHOWN ON MOST OCCASIONS THAT COSTS RISE AFTER CONSOLIDATION. I WILL CONTINUE TO DEFEND TOWNSHIP GOVERNMENT AND IT WILL BE MY CHARGE TO EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY ON OUR BENEFITS. AS I SAID BEFORE, EVERY PERSON IN THE TOWNSHIP CAN ACCESS THE PROGRAMS OFFERED, IT IS NOT JUST FOR THE UNINCOPRORATED AREAS. TOWNSHIPS ARE A VIABLE ENTITY THAT WILL CONTINUE TO GROW AS SUPERVISORS AND THEIR BOARDS ADDRESS THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES AND VISIONS.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.CONGRESSMAN PETER ROSKAMHE HAS BEEN ON THE FOREFRONT OF THE IRS INVESTIGATIONS AND FIGHTING FOR ALL TAXPAYERS.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?BE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR ACTIONS AND TO KEEP YOUR WORD.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?SPENDING MORE TIME WITH MY CHILDREN, MUCH WAS LOST FROM MY PAST ELECTED POSITION IN THE LEGISLATURE.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?SOCIAL STUDIES/HISTORYIN ESSENCE, DO NOT REPEAT THE MISTAKES MADE IN HISTORY.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?YOUR WORD IS YOUR BOND, IF YOU DON'T HAVE YOUR WORD THEN YOU HAVE NOTHING.