Henry (Hank) Haff: 2023 candidate for Oak Brook Village Board

Bio

Town: Oak Brook

Age on Election Day: 65

Occupation: Land developer/residential builder/renovation specialist

Employer: HJH Homes, Inc

Previous offices held: Local HOA's - 18 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: Resident safety - We are centrally located with major thoroughfares allowing residents to travel in all directions easily. Given the ease of ingress/egress, our extraordinary shopping center and residential homes that enjoy open vistas, mature trees and nature are an easy target for criminal activities.

The local police department does a fantastic job protecting our village, however there are limitations. We require a grass-roots effort to inform residents how to protect their homes, cars and belongings. Expansion of our camera systems, real-time notices to our resident of safety related issues, additional police officers, drones and down the road, and only if necessary, consider private security in certain vulnerable areas. Vehicle license readers are currently being installed in Oak Brook communities and I recommend more.

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

A: Well managed and at an all-time high at the shopping center, and additionally the sale of the water system provides us well over a 1-year reserve. The pension deficits are concerning and is being funded at a higher level than required.

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

A: Protection of our: business community; retail community; residential homes; and visitors to our community

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

A: Yes. Business operations that lose money and are without an acceptable path to profitability should be curtailed and or repurposed, e.g. Bath & Tennis Banquet facility.

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: We need an IT plan to standardize hardware/software throughout the administration office. Suggest a written plan to improve/replace obsolete technology and protect the village of Oak Brook from nefarious hacking and violent criminal activities.

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 have extensive successful experience with working in group settings. I'm a consensus driver and team player with outstanding listening skills. For example: working with trade partners, architects, engineers, designers, clients and municipalities throughout DuPage, Lake and Cook counties.

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

A: I have lived in Oak Brook for 25 years. My unique real estate background and technical expertise in land development, home building/renovations along with knowledge of commercial and retail construction position me well to serve the community.

I strongly believe the board needs someone with a background such as mine to serve and protect the best interests of the village. Many matters are decided each year without this expertise and once project is approved it's simply too late.

I possess 25 years of experience working with most village departments allowing me a strong understanding of village operations. I'm PRO-ACTIVE, not reactive, fiscally responsible and believe in honest/transparent government. I understand the development mentality and can speak the same language with developers, sales professionals and through this lens can typically identify pitfalls. Finally, it my hope that we can continue to increase home values.

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

A: Actually 3 come to mind ...

1.) A reduction/subsidy applied to water bill or garbage pickup.

2.) An officer or community service person biking our trails in the evenings to further protect and serve our community walkers, joggers and cyclists.

3.) Install cameras on our bike paths to further improve safety.