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Andrew A. Sauder: 2023 candidate for East Dundee Village Board, 2-year term

Bio

Town: East Dundee

Age on Election Day: 45

Occupation: Art director

Employer: Rule29

Previous offices held: Appointed to East Dundee Village Board in December 2021

Q&A

Q: What is the most serious issue your community will face in the coming years and how should the village board respond to it?

A: Making decisions about reshaping our downtown and riverfront are the most exciting opportunities that are coming up. This includes parking, decisions about how to best tie the riverfront into the downtown, and how to utilize the trail to bring foot traffic through it all.

Q: How would you describe the state of your community's finances?

A: The Illinois pension situation across all of Illinois is a major challenge, but our village is in a great spot. We have an administrator and finance team that is finding solutions to diversify taxes and make smarter decisions for long-term goals. State mandates to fund the pension will be the main challenge for the next few years.

Q: What should be the three top priorities for spending in your community during the next four years?

A: Redeveloping the riverfront/downtown, upgrading water supply infrastructure, and keeping the village's finances in check are the three main issues that we are facing. Keeping an open mind for all solutions and finding creative ways to improve our village's financial situation in a way that doesn't impact residents is the main goal.

We have the strongest team we've had in years and need to continue working together to keep the momentum going.

Q: Are there areas of spending that need to be curtailed? If so, what are they?

A: There are current efforts to ensure that the village is not covering costs that businesses are responsible for - for example, the semi-truck parking areas that cause wear and tear on the roads. We passed a semi-truck parking tax to help fund those repairs and keep both public and private spending balanced.

Q: What do you see as the most important infrastructure project the community must address? Why and how should it be paid for? Conversely, during these uncertain economic times, what project(s) can be put on the back burner?

A: Improving water supply lines to homes and ensuring lead pipes are completely phased out is a major concern. We do have upgrades going in this year for circulating water supplies so that there isn't stagnant water toward the end of the water lines in certain areas. These are the projects I find most important.

Q: Describe your experience working in a group setting to determine policy. What is your style in such a setting to reach agreement and manage local government? Explain how you think that will be effective in producing effective actions and decisions with your village board.

A: We need teamwork and a respect for our fellow neighbors. I see this position as a volunteer effort, working alongside other volunteers. This is in a whole different category from other areas of politics, so it feels more like working side-by-side with neighbors. I'm not interested in tearing any other candidates down and have respect for anyone who wants to serve the village as a trustee.

Q: What makes you the best candidate for the job?

A: I work with others to create beautiful artwork for a living and see this as something similar. I enjoy working as a team on solving problems and creating interesting solutions that help make a village unique and special. I don't claim to be the best, but promise to make an effort to represent my fellow neighbors and try to do what's right.

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

A: Making the village more pedestrian and bike friendly is one thing that I'm uniquely passionate about. Focusing on inviting the many bikers and runners into our downtown and linking it to the riverfront can really transform our village's unique experience.

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