--- Stan Zoller
Candidate's name
Tim Kobler
Candidate for:
Village Board Trustee
How long have you lived in Buffalo Grove?
18 years
Please provide brief background
information.
My wife Chrissy and I have lived in
Buffalo Grove for 18 years and are raising our two sons who attend Stevenson
High School and Twin Groves Middle School. We are also members of Saint Mary
Parish in Buffalo Grove. I have volunteered as a youth soccer coach for the
park district for seven years. I am currently a police officer serving with my
suburban police department for over 20 years. During the course of my law
enforcement career I have served as a Detective, Field Training Officer, and
now a Sergeant. I have been honored to receive the Award of Valor from the 100
Club of DuPage County, the Law Enforcement Award from the Illinois State Bar Association
and received three Meritorious Service Awards for going above and beyond the
call of duty.
Have you served on a village committee or
commission before? If yes, which one and how long did you serve?
I have not served on any committee
or commission within the Village of Buffalo Grove. However, I am a certified
pension trustee and have served as a pension trustee for over 10 years. I am
currently the Vice-President of a police pension fund governed under Article 3
of the Illinois Pension Code. The fund is over $20 million and is over 70%
funded. I also serve as the Chairman of the Board for the Illinois Fraternal
Order of Police Labor Council. A law enforcement union representing over 12,000
professionals who work in the criminal justice field throughout the State. Our
members are Municipal Police Officers, County Sheriff’s Deputies, University
Police Officers, County Correctional Officers, Court Security Officers,
Probation Officers, 911 Telecommunicators, Records Personnel, and other Support
Staff. I am an active member of the Fraternal Order of Police and serve as a
part of the Executive Board for the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police State
Lodge. The Fraternal Order of Police, founded in 1915, is the largest
organization of sworn law-enforcement officers in the United States. With a
proud tradition of officers representing Officers, the Fraternal Order of
Police is the most respected and most recognize police organization in the country.
The Illinois Fraternal Order of Police State Lodge, chartered in 1963, is the
second largest State Lodge, proudly representing more than 32,000 active duty
and retired police officer‘s - more than 10% of all Fraternal Order of Police
members nationwide.
What other civic activities, if any, have you
been involved with?
I have volunteered as a youth soccer
coach for the park district for seven years. While coaching, I was awarded the
Fred Bernstein Memorial Coaches Award recognizing outstanding service,
leadership, dedication, and fairness to all in making a difference in the lives
of the youths of Buffalo Grove. The last 11 years I have participated and
helped plan an annual St. Baldrick’s event. The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a
volunteer powered charity committed to funding the most promising research to
find cures for childhood cancers and give survivors long, healthy lives. I am
proud that over the past 10 years this annual event has raised approximately
$900,000 for children’s cancer research.
Why are you running for a Village Board
position?
Buffalo Grove is a great place to
live. It is great because it’s made up of many things when put together, such
as its parks, schools, and along with its diversity it is one of the best
communities to live in and raise a family. I am running for Trustee to protect
those things such as our green spaces. Through smart growth and redevelopment
of parts of the Village we will be able to continue to live a wonderful
community.
In general, what do you
see as the most pressing issues facing Buffalo Grove?
I see the most pressing issue would
be the redevelopment of the town center along with Dundee Road.
There has been considerable discussion for years
about economic development in the village. What kind of economic development
(retail, commercial, industrial) do you think should be a priority and
why?
Out of the three I think retail
development should take first priority. Followed by commercial and then
industrial. Currently our industrial area is doing well and can help spur
development in our commercial and retail areas. If we prioritize retail not
only will we provide opportunities for our residents to shop, dining, and
entertainment but also those who work in the Village everyday as well. With
strong retail areas businesses will want to locate to Buffalo Grove for the
easily accessible retail to offer their employees.
Which business development plan do you think
should be a priority? Lake-Cook Road corridor, Dundee Road, Milwaukee Avenue or
the Prairie View concept?
Having to pick one I would make
Prairie View concept the priority as it seems to have willing partners. Having
said that, I do believe that we have the capability to and should be doing more
than just one of these projects at a time.
How do you think the
village should encourage redevelopment of existing retail areas that are
struggling?
I think the village can encourage
redevelopment of existing retail areas by assisting in creating partnerships
with the current owners and those who wish to redevelop the property.
Should the village limit development to preserve
green space?
Yes, the village should limit
development to preserve green spaces. Many residents have located to Buffalo
Grove due to the schools, public safety, and the many great green spaces the
village has to offer.
Some of our volunteer groups (commissions,
committees) have seen shrinking membership. What would you do to engage the
community on a broader scale? What would you do to encourage broader
demographic participation?
In today’s world it is difficult to
find extra time. I would encourage our residents to participate by explaining
the importance of the work as well as the time commitment. One of Buffalo
Grove’s greatest assets is its diversity. As Trustee I would make every attempt
to engage as many residents as possible to participate in their local
government.
There is a proposal to add a "Community
Engagement Director" to the village staff. Do you think it is needed?
Explain why or why not.
I think communication with the
residents is very important and I am open to working with the staff and the
board to figure out the most efficient way to do so.
Do you think the Village
communicates well with residents? If not, how can it be improved?
The village does well communicating
with the residence in certain area. A complete review should be done to ensure
that we are maximizing our abilities.
Final thoughts -- Add any information or
comments about your candidacy.
My priorities will be smart
development projects that will revitalize our community and broaden our tax
base, protect our green spaces against misguided development that will increase
traffic congestion and increase risk of flooding, and keeping our community
safe by maintaining Buffalo Groves, world class police and fire services.
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