William Mayer: Candidate Profile

Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioKey IssuesQA Bio City: BolingbrookWebsite: http://www.facebook.com/dupagetownshipawardwinningslateOffice sought: DuPage Township Supervisor (4-year Term)Age: 41Family: Father of 3 kidsOccupation: SalesEducation: Business Management Northwood UniversityCivic involvement: Current President of Heart Haven Outreach; Lion Club Member; Hampton Park Social Athletic Club Member; Rotarian; Bolingbrook Area Chamber of Commerce; Romeoville Area Chamber of Commerce; March of Dimes Chef's Event Committee Member; Relay for Life of Romeoville Committee Member; Boy Scouts of America Committee MemberElected offices held: Current DuPage Township Supervisor; Former Will County Regional School Board Trustee; Former Dupage Township TrusteeHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: noCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Dupape Township has not raised a tax levy in the past 4 years. We need to continue to service the residents of Dupage Township to the best of our abilities and to what they are accustomed too. Unfortunately the economy has not taken off, people are still struggling, and we have seen a large increase in residents having to use our General/Emergency Assistance Program which assists them in paying their utility bills and/or mortgage/rent. Dupage Township has stepped up and has saved over 600 homes from foreclosure. We have seen an increased number of people coming to the food pantry to put food on their tables. Dupage Township has stepped up to service more and more residents without having to take in any more moneyKey Issue 2 It currently costs over $140,000 to arrest/trial and incarcerates a juvenile for 1 year. Dupage Township wants to continue partnering with youth organizations to make sure that DuPage Township children go down the right path in life. We believe it's cheaper to educate a youth than fix an adult.Key Issue 3 Since DuPage Township serves Southern Naperville, Bolingbrook and majority of Romeoville we have a diversified population which comes with diversified issues. It is very important that all 3 communities are aware of the services DuPage Township provides by reaching out to each community and educating the residents of the type of services DuPage Township provides.Questions Answers Name the three most important goals or objectives this board should tackle in the coming term. Prioritize them, and briefly discuss why you believe each to be critical, and how the board should go about addressing them.*Dupage Township needs to be able to collect the amount of food for over 15,000 visits per year. DuPageTownship is less than 1% of the residents taxes and do not have the resources to pay for that amount of food on our own. The board will continue to grow relationships with businesses, we also plan to continue to expand our reach by looking at different opportunities such as this past year we had WGN radio and Chicago Blackhawks come out and help distribute Thanksgiving meals to those in need. *As more and more families are struggling and can't afford to enroll their children in park district programs, DuPage Township will increase partnering with local businesses in physical activity and youth mentoring programs. *Dupage Township needs to continue to grow our diverse senior programing being as we have seen a growth in our senior population. We feel that our diverse senior population needs to continue to have a strong involvement in programs offered by the Levy Center to ensure they continue to stay active and social.In the 21st Century, with municipalities gobbling up vacant land, why are townships needed? Should they be serving a new role? If so, what?Since DuPage Township is the first township in the State of Illinois to eliminate the road district in the past 30 years we have already modified our role. DuPage Township runs the largest food Pantry in Will County and has had over 15,000 visits last year. We have saved over 600 homes from foreclosure, and through our job fair have helped over 400 residents find employment.What should be the primary responsibility of township government?The primary responsibility of township government is being a safety net for the people.In these hard economic times, can you identify some township expenses/programs that could be trimmed or eliminated to reduce the tax burden?No, we feel that being as we haven't raised the tax levy in the past 4 years, even though we have seen a dramatic increase with residents using our food pantry, General/Emergency Assistance housing counseling, youth services, pace service, senior programing, job fairs, that it would be detrimental to trim or eliminate programs to residents of DuPageTownship. All this and still only less than 1% of residents tax bill.What specific background or experience do you bring that makes you the best qualified candidate to serve as an elected official in the township?As a 26 year resident, a father of 3, a 4 year Township Trustee, 8 year Township Supervisor, I understand the importance of Township Government. When a resident walks in the Township door most times they are in desperate need of assistance, I personally oversaw the expansion of the food pantry. Since being a Township Supervisor we have been awarded Township of the Year, Supervisor of the Year, Youth Director of the Year, Senior Director of the Year, General/Emergency Assistance of the Year and Trustee of the Year. We became the first Township that implemented foreclosure counseling which has saved over 600 homes in foreclosure. Implemented the first Job Fair and continued for the past 3 years which helped find over 400 jobs for our residents. DuPage Township is by far an Award Winning Township