Richard W. Treiber III: 2023 candidate for East Dundee Village Board, 4-year term

Bio

Town: East Dundee

Age on Election Day: 28

Occupation: Director of sales

Employer: Cybereason

Previous offices held: East Dundee Village Trustee, 2-year appointment

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 think there are many very important issues our village is facing. We have a police pension that we have to work toward closing the gap on as well as village debt that we have to continue to pay down. There are multiple properties the village is acquiring or already has acquired in hopes to add development to our beautiful community in a very opportune time. Our residents want a grocery store in town, or businesses that truly cater to the residents of East Dundee.

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

A: We are in good standing, working our way out of very tough situations posed years ago. With our booming TIF districts, revenue streams and future development plans; East Dundee is open for business and our future is bright.

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

A: In the next 4 years, I anticipate that we will be growing our resident count based on development opportunities that are on the horizon. I can also see more investment into our police force, both in terms of pension as well as potentially adding additional officers on the force to accommodate our growth. I picture the next board be able to pay down village debt and explore TIF opportunities to capture different long-term revenues for the village.

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

A: I have had an opportunity to go through the village budget process twice since my appointment to trustee. I consider everything outside of water, roads, sewer, police and fire to be discretionary spending areas. We already operate a tight, conservative budget since my time on the board, but I will continue to look for avenues to save money for East Dundee.

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: I think the residents of the community will have a similar desire for East Dundee to improve two things. To start, our village's water quality. There are certain dead end lines scattered throughout our village neighborhoods that need to be fixed first and foremost. We can take care of projects like these with help from the state, whether it be grants or eco friendly water programs that you'll notice popping up across old towns and cities throughout the state/country.

Second, would be our need for parking downtown. We are severely short on space. We have renderings for a beautiful parking garage that would mirror the style of our downtown without changing the look and feel, while adding more than 150+ spots for visitors, relieving the strain on our village and residential streets.

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: A lot of what politics is focused around is compromise. The only reason anyone should volunteer for the board is to make East Dundee a better place for all of her residents. This board has had moments of being incredibly divided and even through those situations I have been able to sway opinion on tough votes. Sometimes decisions cannot be reached immediately, but through taking the time and working together we can contribute toward a better solution. Thinking that you will always be on the winning side of the vote is not reality, but I promise to get village matters back to exactly the way they should be … nonpartisan.

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

A: My viewpoint is based on 3 things every time I vote: My neighbors, my family and my property. I want to leave East Dundee better than I found it, which so far is trending in the right direction. I stick to my beliefs and do not sway from my morals. You'll also notice that I do not just vote for the popular opinion "just because." I listen to the residents as I am their vehicle and voice for change in East Dundee.

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

A: The village offers a facade program to our businesses to take advantage of on an annual basis. I think launching a program for residents to improve their homes would also be a unique offering. There is always that one project that someone needs a bit of help with, especially in these beautiful older homes. I think something like this could go a long way to helping breathe life back into some of our neighborhoods.