Jeff Sode: 2021 candidate for Wauconda village president
Bio
City: Wauconda
Age: 64
Occupation: VP of Special projects, ThermFlo Inc.
Civic involvement: Currently village trustee; previously served as chair, and volunteer for Cruise Night
Q&A
Q: How do you view your role in confronting the pandemic: provide leadership even if unpopular, give a voice to constituents - even ones with whom you disagree, or defer to state and federal authorities?
A: As an incumbent our role was to keep all our constituents informed as quickly as possible. This was an unprecedented pandemic. Information kept changing on an hourly/daily basis, we keep in touch with local and federal agencies with regards to the changing information, we then relay it to all our constituents through all our media resources and worked closely with our Chamber to keep our businesses informed.
Q: Did your town continue to adequately serve its constituents during the disruptions caused by the pandemic? If so, please cite an example of how it successfully adjusted to providing services. If not, please cite a specific example of what could have been done better.
A: We served our constituents with outstanding performance. We never closed the police department; we have processes in place to take care of any emergency. We also set up processes with our village staff to keep all our essential service's in operation and keep all our village staff equipped with all the necessary PPE, training, and protection.
Q: In light of our experiences with COVID-19, what safeguards/guidelines should you put in place to address any future public health crises?
A: Through and currently during the pandemic we continue to document what works well and what does not (continuous process improvement), to create an action plan if an event would occur. We also have equipped our staff with laptops in lieu of workstations which provided and will provide seamless operations when we need to work outside of the office.
Q: What cuts can local government make to reduce the burden of the pandemic on taxpayers?
A: We did freeze water rates for a year, deferred license fees and created and implemented a restaurant grant program.
Q: What do you see as the most important infrastructure project you must address? Why and how should it be paid for? Conversely, during these uncertain economic times, what infrastructure project can be put on the back burner?
A: Roads are the infrastructures that are important. We are currently in the process of putting together a 20-year plan for road improvement. Currently we have a 5-year plan that is budgeted with the motor fuel tax, FAU and capital funds.
Q: Do you plan to address businesses that don't adhere to the governor's order to close or restrict business?
A: NA
Q: Do you agree or disagree with the stance your board/council has taken on permitting recreational marijuana sales in the community? What would you change about that stance, if you could?
A: We took our time and discussed over many open meetings if and how we would permit the use of recreational marijuana. I agreed with our decision on permitting the use of recreational marijuana through a special use permit. We created a new ordinance around the subject which would require the special use permit, by which use will only be permitted by board approval.
Q: Describe your leadership style and explain how you think that will be effective in producing effective actions and decisions with your village board or city council.
A: I am in a leadership role since the start of my career 44 years ago. I am the VP of special projects, we are a mechanical/electrical engineering, construction and service firm in the commercial, industrial field. Since my start 44 years ago and have been instrumental with the growth of the company, creating new divisions, new processes and procedures. My leadership style is to surround yourself and team with qualified talent and give them the tools to perform their job.
Q: What makes you the best candidate for the job?
A: My work and civic history make me the best candidate for the position. I am currently a village trustee, I was part of the Lake Michigan water project, cannabis ordinance, economic development and now pandemic. I was the Chair on the Wauconda police commission and on the rebranding committee. I have been working in a leadership position for 44 years, I have implemented new departments, processes and procedures closed department when prudent for the success of the organization. I was tasked with building our organization's new 42,000 sq ft facility, which came in under budget and 6 weeks early. In 2020, with all the unknowns of the pandemic, my department exceeded 2019 revenue and margins. My work experience will serve the village well.
Q: What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?
A: One idea is to keep focus on our long-range strategic planning, Financial Sustainability, Economic Development, Operational Excellence and Community Engagement.