2017 Election Questionnaire: Roger Claar, Bolingbrook Mayor

Name: Roger C. Claar

Age: 71

Town of residence: Village of Bolingbrook

Position sought: Mayor

Family:

Wife Patricia L. Claar
Daughter Lindsey Marie Smith

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

Education:

BS in Business – Eastern Illinois University
MS in Business – Eastern Illinois University
Ph.D. in Occupational Education at Kansas State University

Occupation: Mayor, 30 years of experience

Previous or current elected or appointed office: Full-Time Mayor

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

Completing the acquisition of Illinois American Water Company to lower the water rates for our residents and businesses. Court dates are continuing to accomplish this important issue facing Bolingbrook

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

The primary difference between me and my opponent is experience in Municipal Government. She has none. I have 30 years of experience and knowledge. During that time, the population has doubled to 76,000. Dozens of significant public works projects have been planned, engineered, completed, and built. Excellent public services have been provided in police, fire, and public works

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

When I arrived in office, there was no infrastructure in place for growth. Through significant planning, we have designed transportation systems, sewage treatment systems, and expanded our retail operations, including The Promenade Mall. We built two fire stations. We built miles of industrial parkways to attract manufacturing, office, and distribution facilities for corporate America. Since then, we have attracted 20 corporate headquarters who employee hundreds of people. We also built the infrastructure to help bring a hospital to Bolingbrook, and brought Lake Michigan water and sewage treatment plants to the Village so we have sufficient systems to accommodate our growth to an estimated 88,000 people. Due to careful planning, it will not be necessary for future boards to bond for any future capital development.

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

Working toward a complete interchange at Route 126 and I-55, completing additional road systems on the far west side, making sure quality housing stock continues, and working with the park district, the township, library and school districts to see that all of our young people have access to positive, supportive youth programs.

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

I have learned over time to never assume anything! Follow up on everything!

Why should voters trust you?

I have served this Village as a Police and Fire Commissioner, a Village Trustee, and most recently as Mayor. I have assisted thousands of individuals, youth sports programs, scouting programs, charitable causes and many organizations. I have worked to honor our diversity through many community events which brings people together. I wanted to attract a mall, hospital, business parks to Bolingbrook, and worked to make it happen. I am a known quantity with a proven track record. I would like to continue to serve the people of the Village for another four years, working to further reduce the Village portion of our property taxes and insuring the future stability and success of this great community.

Share a quote that defines your philosophy:

"If you don’t want to know my answer to your question, you probably shouldn’t ask it."

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

Continuously question practices and procedures to insure they are the most cost efficient and service oriented.

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

Tax dollars should be spent as if it’s coming out of your own pocket. We scrutinize every expenditure and plan accordingly. That’s why we have reduced our portion of the property tax bill from 22% to 10% of your property tax dollars. We built the infrastructure for this Village, and it’s in place for 50 years. Our bond investment will be retired by the thousands of people who have moved here because of the investment we made.

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

A solid track record! Crain's Chicago Business in the January 23, 2017 edition listed Bolingbrook as one of the 10 suburbs to move to – that is why we have grown from 35,000 to 76,000 while I have been Mayor.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

“Let the work you do be a reflection of who you are.”

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

Leadership positions, certainly including the Mayor, requires someone to say yes and sometimes no. Every decision makes some happy and some not so happy. I am known for my candor, but I believe people expect and deserve honest and straight answers to their questions.

More via Claar's campaign website

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