A Misunderstanding About Social Services

I know you have been inundated with politics over the last few months and that you are looking forward to life after the April 9th election.  I did want to address one misunderstanding, though, before the election.

Over the last few weeks I’ve heard some rumblings about how our slate would, if elected, cut social programs to help control costs.  I don’t know where that rumor started, but that idea is completely untrue. The last thing we’ll cut is social programs. I promise.

I’ve spent nearly 35 years in the Jaycees. I’m a member of the American Legion and I’ve volunteered for the food pantry, Journeys the Road Home, Little City, PHD among others. I, as does the rest of our slate, believe in the work that social programs do for our community.

We do need to look at our expenses and cut the budget without diminishing services, though. We plan to make a 5% cut by looking at salaries and bringing them in par with other municipalities, avoiding overtime where possible and making sure that expenditures are only made for worthwhile projects. Our goal is to create a plan that makes sure that all taxpayers are benefitting from Township services and that tight cost controls are kept on that plan.

How are we going to create this plan?  We want your opinions on what you would like to see happen in our Township. We intend to get community input on the direction you would like to see our programs take and create a strategic plan in that direction. Your input is imperative in creating a plan that embodies what you believe are worthwhile projects.

As much as you and our slate want social programs in our community, we also are concerned about finances. You want your Township officials to make sure that there are tight restraints on how your money is spent.  Our slate is running because we believe that for far too long Township government hasn’t had the proper respect for the public’s tax dollars. We believe that it is the taxpayers’ money that we are spending and that we must spend it wisely and conservatively.

Our slate is endorsed by the Palatine Township Republican Organization, the official Republican organization of Palatine Township, the Save Briarwood Committee and Aaron Del Mar, Cook County GOP Chairman.  The slate includes Sharon Langlotz-Johnson for Township Supervisor, Tom Kaider for Highway Commissioner and Bill Pohlman, Art Goes, Kevin McGrane as well as Bill Huley for Trustee.

We want to bring Township government into a new era.  One that uses the taxpayers’ money wisely and at the same time provides the social services that our community needs.  We will promote commonsense reforms and innovations in order to be more efficient, transparent and accountable to the people we serve and at the same time provide our community with the services that make our community a great place to live.