2017 Election Questionnaire: Haig Haleblian, Crystal Lake City Council

Name: Haig Haleblian

Age: 66

Town of Residence: Crystal Lake

Position Sought: Crystal Lake City Council

Party Affiliation: Republican, but I'm really an independent

Family:

Hawley, wife
Molly Haleblian, daughter
Kate Haleblian, daughter
Curry Carty, step-daughter
Cole Barchard, stepson
Grandkids (I'm called Stampa for step grandpa): Colton Carty, Quinn Barchard, Kaelyn Barchard with two more on the way

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

Education:

Exceed Floor and Home: 30 years
Hinsdale High School Central: 1969
SIU: BS Marketing 1973

Occupation:

Exceed Floor and Home 30 years 11/4/1987

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: Councilman Crystal Lake City Council

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

Continue to find cutting edge ways to make Crystal Lake the finest community to reside, shop, conduct business, and be the recreation hub of McHenry County.
Intended way to continue this? Innovative cooperative, intelligent programs between the city and developers, retailers, and clean manufacturing, without compromising our property tax base

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

My area of expertise is business. I own a large retail business that began with two people 30 years ago. I have a deep understanding and appreciation of the struggles of local business and industry. I spent over ten years on the Crystal Lake Economic Development Committee, two years as the committee's chairman. In those ten years my connections with many local businesses has given me a deep appreciation and understanding of the needs for a business friendly community

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

The ongoing struggle with the state not living up to it's fiduciary responsibilities to it's municipalities has been challenging at best. Crystal Lake staff and Council has done an exemplary job of providing more for less. Our police department and fire department allow us to sleep worry free at night. Our drinking water is safe, and our roads plowed in a timely fashion. I will always continue to try to find ways to improve the quality of life for Crystal Lake citizens.

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

I believe the response to the previous question answers this question...... and getting Dave Matthews Band to play at Three Oaks (that's a dream)!
But one has to dream.

Not going with my gut. Without getting into the details, I went along with an idea that I questioned. It ended in disaster as my gut told me it would.

Why should voters trust you?

One doesn't grow a small business in a community operating in a unscrupulous manner. I'd like to think most people find me honest, forthright, respectful, empathic, fair, generous with a good dose of humor. It's carried me far in life. It's the qualities I've instilled in my daughters who have been immensely successful in their own careers.

Share a quote that defines your philosophy:

And in the end the love you take is equal to the love you make.

What's the in worrying, what's the use in hurrying
Turn turn we almost become dizzy

There are not truths that are alternative. There are truths that are self evident.

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

Bottom line: Is this the best for the citizens of Crystal Lake

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

We cannot have what we have in Crystal Lake without paying something. Crystal Lakes tax is about ten percent of our residents total tax bill. Crystal Lake has the second lowest tax rate in McHenry County. In the past five years we have increased the quality of services while decreasing employment five percent. Staff and council have been vigilant to this cause. It is our mantra. I believe we have the finest staff of any municipality. Everyone is pulling in the same direction. That direction is for the benefit of our CEO's the residents of Crystal lake.

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

Surviving the great recession as a small business was at the very least a character builder. Any small business that could survive that debacle deserves an award. Talk about doing more with less? I experienced it for 6 years, survived, flourished and became better for it.

My hero and mentor Walt Kran now 86 years young came to this country alone at 15 with $17.00 in his pocket to become one of California's most renown nuclear radiologists. Many of his words have been shared in this interview, but here are a few more. Get an education, because things can be taken away from you, but they can never take away your education. Nothing replaces hard work and a strong work ethic.

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

I love my family

I love my friends

I love my work, because it isn't work

I love Crystal Lake