H. William (Bill) Schmidt: 2023 candidate for Glendale Heights District 1 Village Trustee
Bio
Town: Glendale Heights
Age on Election Day: 80
Occupation: Retired
Employer: N/A
Previous offices held: Glendale Heights Village Board District 1 since 2011; Marquardt Elementary District 15 board member for 13 years
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: I feel that the lack of experienced, qualified leadership is our community's most serious issue. Currently, many important decisions are being made, by an inexperienced leader, without the knowledge or consent of the board of trustees. Things are done unilaterally instead of working, collaboratively, with the village board.
It should be the function of the village board to overcome this obstacle and keep the village providing services the way the residents expect.
Q: How would you describe the state of your community's finances?
A: Our cash reserves are sufficient to see us through most emergencies.
Q: What should be the three top priorities for spending in your community during the next four years?
A: I feel that maintenance and improvement of streets, stormwater management, and water mains and sewer improvement and maintenance are the three most important priorities.
Q: Are there areas of spending that need to be curtailed? If so, what are they?
A: Unnecessary changes to department names and job titles which are changes in name only, not functions, but result in costs to change uniforms, stationary, business cards, stationary, etc.
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: The condition of the village streets is the most important project which needs to be addressed, paid by increased revenues from the cannabis dispensary as well as present revenues. Projects such as a dog park are of much lower priority.
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: I feel that working collaboratively is necessary to work in any form of municipal government. In these times of economic uncertainty, cost vs. benefits need to be closely examined.
The village administration has done a very good job conservatively budgeting for both expected income and expenses. Following and trusting their recommendations makes reaching agreements very easy.
Q: What makes you the best candidate for the job?
A: I have over 40 years of involvement with the village and residents of Glendale Heights. I have served as a coach in Glenside Baseball, representative and officer of Glenbard East Athletic Boosters, member and officer of Marquardt District 15, member of Glendale Heights ESDA Unit, member of Glendale Heights and Milton Township CERT Units, and village trustee.
Q: What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?
A: Not a new or unique idea but the establishment of a farmers market would be a benefit to the community. This is a project which could be implemented with very little effort and investment but yield significant results.