Age: 69
Occupation: Retired
What qualifies you for the position: I am hard-working, practical and use common sense to solve problems. From my work history at the Green County Highway Department, in farming and construction and as a volunteer probation officer, I know the value of living within a budget and of working together as a team. My past work experience on sewer and water projects gives me the unique perspective of what it takes to get the job done, being cost effective and not sacrificing quality.
Community involvement: Green County Livability Crime Impact Panel, 2 years; past president of Jaycees. Education: McHenry and Wauconda high schools in Illinois.
Previous experience and achievements: More than four years on Monroe Common Council; currently chairman of Salary and Personnel Committee and License Committee and a member of Board of Public Works, Board of Review, Ethics Board and other committees; past city representative on Senior Citizen Board. Other: Enjoy extensive gardening and our grandchildren. Resident of Green County since 1979, with 20 years in Monroe.
Q: In expectation of falling revenues (such as state shared revenue) and increasing costs (such as health care and pension plans costs), what should the City of Monroe do to balance its budget next year?
A: After the elections, the mayor will be putting together an ad-hoc committee to address the financial issues facing the city during its next budget cycle. He feels both city and community input is needed, because everyone will have to make some sacrifices to get future budgets balanced. I am in full support of this effort; I think it is a common sense approach to the problems we will be facing.
Q: Equalized property values in Monroe's five Tax Increment Districts (TID) fell by about $6 million total last year. If a TID does not raise enough tax revenue annually and does not have enough excess funds to meet its debt payment, the city must pay those shortfalls from its general fund. This was a concern during the budget meetings this past fall. What should the City do to help generate tax revenues specifically for these districts and to increase business, industrial and job growth in the city in general?
A: Because of the current economic situation in the state, it's hard for the city to find easy answers to these problems. The TIDs have to have some economic growth to pay off their debts, but I think we are on the right course, and we should continue working with the Chamber of Commerce and Green County Development Corporation We are all working very hard to encourage businesses to come to Monroe.
Q: Mayor Bill Ross has said, what is good for Green County is good for Monroe, and therefore, he has worked with Green County Economic Development Corporation, Green County Department of Tourism and other county offices and municipalities to promote economic growth in the area. The opposite saying, what is good for Monroe is good for Green County, could also be true. Monroe Main Street, Monroe Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Cheese Days Committee have worked to promote more tourism to Monroe. What should the city do to help promote Monroe - its history, its products and its recreational opportunities - as a destination for more visitors?
A: The center piece of our county and city is our rich heritage of cheesemaking, and we will continue lifting this up for tourism. We have Main Street, the Chamber and Green County Tourism promoting Monroe as a destination center; and there is a Destination Center project that is being considered - that's very exciting. That committee is enthusiastic, and they have an enormous potential to boost tourism. The city fully supports these efforts, and we will continue to do so in the future.