Meet Candidate for Algonquin Village Board Robert Smith

Name: Robert M. (Bob) Smith

Age: 56

Town of residence: Algonquin

Position sought: Algonquin village trustee

Party affiliation: Independent

Family:

Wife, Dainne

Daughters, Britney and Rachale

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

Education:

Hoffman Estates High School 1979

USMC Leadership training

Occupation:

Regional Manager International Freight Forwarder. I have 34 years of Sales, Customer service and Management experience

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office:

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.: The most import issue is keeping Algonquin a safe and healthy community to live and raise your family. Over the years I have worked to help make improvements in our Village. Working to reduce speed limits on local streets and increasing police presents in our neighborhoods. The Village is continuing to work on road improvements and updating our water and sewer systems to provide the height quality water possible. I will continue supporting our plans to keep up with these improvements and staying with in our budget. Last year the Police Department brought back The National Night Out event. This was a big success I and will continue to support it.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?: I have 24 years of experience and leadership representing the people of Algonquin as a Trustee. I have been a part of the leadership of the Village Board that has helped to make Algonquin the great community that it is today. Over the years I have the opportunity to work with some very good people both fellow board members and Village Staff. I have learned from all of them and this has helped me understand what is needed to keep the Village moving forward and to continue to provide the Highest levels of service to our residents.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform: I have always worked to keep our taxes low in the Village. Currently we have been able to reduce the Village percentage back down to 2008 levels. this is due manly to our strong retails sales tax from our retail and commercial growth.

even with the hard economic times Algonquin has been able to bring in new business and keep growing. We have had award winning balanced budgets for the past 12 years. Traffic is always one of the biggest issues we have to face. with the opening of the Western Bypass we have seen improvements but we are still working to make it better. We are working with both McHenry and Kane County's for additional improvements. Widening and additional turn lanes at Algonquin and Randall roads. The other major road project going on is widening of Longmeadow Parkway and the additional bridge over the Fox River.
The Village has a long range Downtown Redevelopment plan that will do the much needed improvements. the Goal is to make the Downtown a destination point for both residents an people form outside the Village. I will continue to support the Recreation Department and development of our local parks.

25 new Business openings in 2016 Village wide.
opening of the Western Bypass to help improve traffic congestion.
improved communication with updates to the Village Website.
Continued positive results on the community wide survey.
Being able to continue the work we have been doing and keeping Algonquin moving forward will be my goal if re-elected

Why should voters trust you?: I have had the privilege of representing the people of Algonquin for the last 24 years. I have always been honest and truthful in my roll as Trustee. I have always been willing to listen and work with the residents and local business to try and find solutions to the issue that we face. If given the opportunity I will continue to work to represent the people of Algonquin.

Share a quote that defines your philosophy: The true test of a man's character is what you do when no one is watching.

What questions should be asked of current government employees accountable to your board?: When we are going over our budget or when issues come up I will look to find out what is the need to the residents that will be serving and what is the costs. I will want to know if this is something we have budgeted for. If not where will the funding be coming from. The Village Staff works hard to find was to cut cost and save money in all of the departments. The Village has implemented 23 cost-effective revenue generating intergovernmental agreements.

Explain your attitudes toward fiscal policy, government spending and how taxpayer dollars should be handled by your office (or board)?: The Village of Algonquin has always worked hard to keep a balanced budget and to spend within our means. We are very conservative when it comes to spending. We have long range plans for the Village and make sure we have resources before we commit to a project.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?: I have been a part of the leadership of Algonquin for the past 24 years. We have had many accomplishments in that time. No goal would have been accomplished without the support of the other board members. One of the programs I first brought to the Village was the creation of the Village Recreation Department. At the time this was not approved because we had not done this before and we did not have the funding. With time and continued efforts I was able to win support with the Board and this was able to become an important part of our community.

The best advice ever shared with me was: When I started in the freight business my Father who was also in freight sales told me make sure I fully understood how shipments move and all of the details involved. This way you can bring value to your customer. I still follow his advise today. Both in my business and as a Trustee.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?: I would like to thank the people of Algonquin for the opportunity to represent them over the years. If re-elected I will continue to work to keep Algonquin the type of community we can all be proud to call our Home. I will continue to work to keep our taxes low and our service to our residents at the highest level possible.

More via Smith's campaign website.