2017 Election Questionnaire: Jerry Glogowski​, Algonquin Village Board Trustee

Name: Jerry Glogowski

Age: 66

Town of residence: Algonquin

Position sought: Village Trustee of Algonquin

Party affiliation: Independent

Family: Married, wife Beth

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?: No

Education: 2 years community junior college, 2 years of Technical Studies Flender Academy for Mechanical Applications, Ted Spella Leadership School 2007

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: Village Trustee of Algonquin since 2005

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Our current and past Village Surveys have shown Transportation as a key issue and I agree. I also believe our Fiscal responsibility is key within our Budget. Last year we focused our $45 million dollar budget to maintain services for our residents, capital expenditures towards our infrastructure and roads, Public Works, Water and Sewer, personnel, police, parks and forestry, yet having minimum 6 months reserves for emergency situations.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

The most critical differences between myself and our opposition is they are one dimensional focusing to destabilize Longmeadow Parkway Corridor, but have yet to show leadership in the areas of running our Village. They have not attended Board meetings until recently. A trustee needs to engage within the entire community on all issues the Village needs to deal with, its fiscal responsibilities, and to provide good workable means and services to its residents and businesses. He or she needs to make time to attend at and learn of issues for both Mchenry and Kane County Board agendas and how they will affect our community.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

One cannot ignore the economics of today and that a good economy is not ever long lasting and can change. However I will continue to work with our Village Manager and Staff to put more emphasis on and address the voids we have on the east side and some of the empty store fronts within our Village.

If you gain this position, what accomplishment would define your term in office as a success?

In regards to accomplishments, since being on the Village Board to name some key areas we have a AAA Bond Rating, 6 months reserve funds, reduced over $1,800,000 in annual operating costs through targeted staff reductions (attrition) with use of technology and department reorganizations. Western Bypass is complete, continued progress with

McHenry County for Randall and Algonquin Road intersection improvement with construction to start in 2018, the construction of the Longmeadow Parkway Bridge Corridor in coordination with Kane County Transportation Department and the Downtown Revitalization Project which will upgrade our streets, aging water and sewer infrastructure with plans for starting in late summer 2017. Our tax levy is below 2008 levels.

Please share with voters a story about wisdom gained from a mistake you made in your life or career.

As one grows up you realize there are mistakes that you wished you could have remedied. Mine was putting trust to those who worked for me in my business that I should not have. I also have learned many things one may take for granted in business and friendships and yet you learn from those mistakes to make one’s self a better person in contributing back to your family, friends, associates, and society.

Why should voters trust you?

My friends, workers and associates put their trust in me because they know my word is sincere and they also know when I am assigned a task I will research the necessary materials to understand and follow through to get the job done.

Share a quote that defines your philosophy:

Green Bay Packers Coach Vince Lomardi had said many, but two I like and use daily: “Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence” and “Individual commitment to a group effort - that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.”

What questions should be asked of current government employees accountable to your board?

Any board member needs to ask himself or herself can he or she perform for the betterment of the entire community (?) Even knowing some of your friends and residents may be against you in your thoughts and actions. One cannot be self-serving.

Explain your attitudes toward fiscal policy, government spending and how taxpayer dollars should be handled by your office (or board)?

Fiscal Policy to me means living within your budget. Continued dialogue on issues we face daily with our Village Manager and our Staff, to insure continuity that our residents are being served and served well by maintaining a viable working budget.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I feel my involvement in our community and being in the Lions Club shows that I care and work for those in our Community. Myself and my colleagues on the Board can share the accomplishments previously mentioned as well as our community outreach programs to our residents, surveys to check the public’s pulse of our Village operations, open communications, completion of our downtown plan, fun activities continued summer concerts and Founder's Days. The completion of the Fox River Corridor Plan, Algonquin commons making $10 million in site improvements, the forty plus new businesses that have opened in the last two years during not so pretty economic times. The Transform Award given to us in 2016 acknowledges and reflects the Village as a model of local government efficiency (the 2nd ever Local Transform Award). We established the Mchenry County Area of Municipal Partnering Initiative Group to combine purchasing efforts to cut costs. We strive to make Algonquin one of the best if not the best of towns along the Fox in both McHenry and Kane Counties.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

One good bit of advice I share with others is to speak to those how you would want them to speak to you.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I very much love our Village of Algonquin. Since moving here in 1997, my involvement is embedded in our community, and I do care deeply about our future and hopes to continue to serve the people of Algonquin.

More via Glogowski's campaign website

Photo: Submitted