Election 2011: Village Board Candidate Bob Poole

Four candidates are vying for three seats on the. Newcomer talked with us about his ideas for bringing new businesses to town, maintaining services and keeping the budget balanced.

What ideas do you have to spur economic development in Mokena?

I would look toward working more with business owners and developers. I think the village board has made it kind of a hurdle to come into town. At times, I’ve seen business owners become exasperated as far as building regulations. It seems to me not forthcoming. So I would try to foster a healthier relationship with businesses and business owners.

What ideas do you have for dealing with the village’s decreasing and stagnating fund balances?

I would look at possibly increasing the sales tax, which would have to go to the voters, which is fine by me. I think we should look at of the village’s fleet. I’d like to look at the budget line by line to see what can be cut. And I would look at making cuts without cutting services to Mokena’s citizens.

When it comes to budget cuts, what should be off-limits?

General services. Anything that directly affects the people: Snow plowing, garbage pickup and other basic services.

Where in the budget should the village cut deeper?

It’s hard to say without looking line-by-line, but I would first look at salaries and ask for salary cuts. But they haven’t done a bad job of making cuts so far. I would possibly look at the budgets for individual departments and asking department heads what they think they could cut. It would be difficult getting them all together, but it can be done.

Editor's note: Mokena Patch was unable to reach village board candidate Jim Richmond by publication time.