2017 Election Questionnaire: Robert Jaskiewicz, Bolingbrook Trustee

Name: Robert (Bob) M. Jaskiewicz

Age: 66

Town of residence: Village of Bolingbrook

Position sought: Village Trustee

Family:

Linnea - Spouse - married 33 years
Amy, Kimberly, Ryan, Jay and Sean - children

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

Education:

Graduated from Bay City Central High School in 1968
Delta College - Associates Degree 1970
Michigan State University, Bachelor of Science - 1972

Occupation: Currently Managing Director and Head of Sales for 12five Capital LLC. Started the company with my son Ryan in October 2010. Been in the alternative lending field for over 30 years.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Offices: Appointed to the Village of Bolingbrook Police Pension Board and served as a Police Pension Board Commissioner for six years.

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

The huge debt that has been built up over the years, well over $300,000,000.00 with no real plan to pay it down. Compare are debt to that of Naperville or Romeoville and it makes you wonder, where did all that money go. Moody's has downgraded the Villages credit rating several times now, causing our interest rates to increase on the debt principal. We need to adjust our budget so that significant revenues are set aside and applied to this outstanding debt

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

The current group of elected officials do not have the back of our local residents. It's a Pay for Play system for the mayor and his team. You donate to my campaign and you get favors and contracts. Their attitude is the end justifies the means. I'm for listening and caring about all the residents and businesses of our wonderful Village. What can we do to serve them and make this a great place for them to want to stay here and raise a family. It's time to listen to ALL the voices in the community, and not just the select view.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)?

They have failed us by spending much needed tax dollars on programs, events or things that benefit a few and not the majority. Investing in property surrounding the golf club and losing money on that investment. Allowing certain business owners major tax breaks, use of village property, etc to enrich themselves personally on our property tax dollars. Granting of no bid contracts. Bullying local businesses to support projects or programs they do not believe in, but the owners know full well that if they do not support them, they will lose village contracts. Appointing themselves to various jobs, to increase their income, than taking political donations from the same people/businesses they are entrusted to police or monitor.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

I believe we need an Economic Development Commission to work diligently and full time to bring in businesses that will use our empty store fronts, upgrade the areas surrounding these empty areas and bring in well paying jobs and not just the slew of temp services jobs currently being provided by the warehouse expansion that has taken place within the Village.

We need to eliminate the pay for play contracts or at least not renew them when the come due, and make them fair for the Village and it's residents.

Entities that are owned by the Village that are losing money, and really have no hope of making money should be reviewed, possibly privatized or sold off so we have more funds to pay down the debt and or develop and run meaningful programs that most of our residents can benefit from and not just the few who benefit off of the existing losing entities

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

Bringing down the debt significantly.
Ending the Pay for Play contracts ASAP.
Formation of a thriving and successful Economic Development Commission.
Cleaning up certain commercial properties that are currently recognized as an eyesore within the Village.
Allowing the other taxing bodies, such as the Valley View School District, DuPage Township, Library, Park District to run their programs based on what they believe is best for them, allowing us to spend 100% of our time, working on what is best for the Village. Yes, we will communicate and help out where asked by these taxing bodies, but not instill our will on them as is currently the situation.

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

I've trusted people throughout my life and have been burned because of that trust. I've learned that most people, but unfortunately, not all people, are good and want to do well for themselves and others. I've now learned to trust but verify. Trust people until the prove otherwise, after that, proceed with caution.

Why should voters trust you?

I have had a very successful career both early on, while working for Michigan State University, and over the years in the business world after leaving the world of academia. I have run my own company, managed numerous employees, planned budgets, been responsible for profit's and losses.

I have lived in Bolingbrook for 22 years and have been involved in a variety of ways and have shown people that my word is my bond. I've volunteered for youth sports programs, served on numerous boards and I'm currently active as a Director on the Bolingbrook Chamber Board of Directors and President of the Bolingbrook Rotary Club. I have supported the many not-for-profit groups that work within our Village as a donor, supporter and volunteer.

Share a quote that defines your philosophy:

As President of the local Rotary Club, our motto is "Service Above Self." I truly believe in that and try to live my life accordingly.

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

1. If you were running your department, what would the priorities be?
2. What could you do without?
3. How can we improve the efficiency of your job, your department?
4. How does your department impact our residents in a positive way, in a negative way? How do we improve on that?

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

Because of the large debt we will be handed when we win this election, our initial approach to finances will have to be conservative at best. We, as a team of elected officials, need to design a plan to start bringing down the debt and improve our credit rating prior to spending more money on optional programs and projects. Moneys need to be set aside for essential programs and projects but let's not go overboard.

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

I've been responsible for budgets in the past and currently with my business 12five Capital LLC. We need to stay profitable, keep growing and adding jobs. If we are losing money or incurring large amounts of debt, that growth stops. I've done it.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

If you are not being criticized, you're not doing anything with your life. People love to criticize others who are trying to make a difference in their life, community or the world. Not everyone is going to agree with the decisions we make. But if you are not being criticized, than what are you going to do to get out there and start doing something about it. Believe in what you are doing. Have a passion for living and helping. The rest will take care of itself.

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

I love and enjoy being a part of the Village of Bolingbrook. In the 22 years we have lived here the town has grown and changed tremendously. That being said, there is a lot of things that take place behind closed doors that just are not right, morally, ethically or fair. Our residence should not be short changed. They should not have to see their hard earned money being spent so that just a few people can reaped the rewards. My goal is to make sure, as much as possible, that if there are benefits to be enjoyed, that those benefits should be available, equally to all of us.

More via Jaskiewicz's campaign website

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