2017 Election: John Thomas, New Trier Township Trustee

Name: John T. Thomas

Age: 81

Town of residence: Winnetka

Position sought: New Trier Township Trustee

Family: Wife is Ellen and two sons are Evan, 51, and John, 55

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

Education: BS & MBA from The University of Michigan Schools of Engineering and Business Administration

Occupation: Retired. Was a management consult in Organizational Development. Started work at P&G in manufacturing , then marketing

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Position: 1998/99: Winnetka Caucus Parks Chair, 1999/2000: Winnetka Caucus Chair, 2000-08: N. Ill. Girl Scouts Board & Exec. Comm., 2001-08: United Way Winn./N’fld Board & 2005-2007 Chair, 2002-08: United Way North Shore Board, 2002-05: Zoning Board of Appeals, 2004-05: Winnetka Home Rule Committee, 2004- present Winnetka Plan Commission, 2004- present Winnetka Park Board, 2013- present W/N Rotary Club and Board, President 2015/16

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

1. Residents generally are unaware of what the Township does. If elected, I'd push my fellow trustees to develop an affordable public relations effort.
2. As Audit Committee Chair of the Park District, the Girl Scouts and the United Way, reading the past few years of Township Audit letters was boring but informative. The taxpayers need a simplified, understandable annual report to dispel some of the wild claims made by our opponents.
3. The NTT needs a strategic plan to guide it work. Much has been done on this and we will need to discuss and adopt such a guiding light.

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

I and my three co-candidates have discussed at length this question. We have wildly different backgrounds but believe that is a real plus when discussing propositions in front of the Board.

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

After reading the Audit letters and talking with several friend who have served as Trustee, I see not a shred of evidence that past Trustees have failed the community.

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

If we raise awareness of Township operations and its financial status, I would be very pleased. Unlike our opponents, I do not see opportunities for slashes in NTT budget.

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

Too many to elaborate upon.

Why should voters trust you?

Track record of public service.

Share a quote that defines your philosophy:

Einstein once said, "Strive not to be a success, but to be of value"

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

Questioning of paid staff is an ongoing task.

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

Having had a hand in both public and private spending, and being able to read financial statements, I am quite experienced in cautious spending.

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

For my public work in Winnetka/Northfield, I was given the service award of "2016/17 Man of the Year"

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

As a brand new Industrial Engineer Trainee, the gnarly old head of I,E, said, "John the best advice I can give is when asked a question, and don't know the answer, don't try waffling but rather, just say I don't know but I'll find out."

More via The New Trier Economy Party's campaign website

Photo submitted by John T. Thomas