Palatine Township Highway Commissioner Candidate: Tom Kaider

Palatine Patch will be helping you get to know the candidates for the upcoming special primary for Palatine Township. Meet Palatine Township Highway Commissioner Candidate, Tom Kaider, who will be running against incumbent John Powers.

1) Name, office being sought, professional background, community affiliations, experiences that you feel qualify you to run for this office.

I grew up working in the road construction industry, and I am very, very good at maximizing value-for-the dollar in regard to budgeting, contracts, etc.  I am a lifelong Palatine resident, heavily involved with multiple civic organizations and local government.  I will be honored to bring an honest, transparent effort.

2) How long have you been a Palatine Township resident? 36 years

3) What are the reasons you chose to run for office? (for the upcoming election). 

There has not been a change in this office in 16 years.  I feel that is not healthy for the Township.  I am a true fiscal conservative; refusing the pension, and I'd like to:
• Reduce or freeze salaries so they are more comparable with those in other local municipalities.

• Spend money more wisely by focusing on priority projects. Just because we have the money doesn’t mean we must spend it… that money should be saved to cover future emergency expenses.

4) List 2-3 top issues-and how you plan to address them-that you believe are important to residents living in Palatine Township.

• Spend Your Money Efficiently and Responsibly

• Develop a Strategic Plan and Involve Public Input

• Ensure All Taxpayers Are Benefiting from Township Services

5) What improvements, if any, would you like to see in the way that Palatine Township is run? 

• Officials should accomplish their responsibilities in less than 20 hours a week to avoid IMRF and save the taxpayers money, or decline IMRF outright.

• Develop and publicize a short-term and long-term plan for all departments.

• Freeze the levy until increases are properly justified. The levy has been increased every year but this year (an election year), accumulating nearly two and a half times the annual expenses.

6) Additional comments. 

As a TEAM, we can function at a level which far exceeds the standard. The Doing Things Better for Palatine Township slate is running to institute commonsense reforms and innovations in order to make Palatine Township government more efficient, transparent, and accountable to the people they serve. On the web:   www.betterforpalatinetownship.com   www.facebook.com/BetterForPalatineTownship. 

7) Biographical information, family, children, upbringing, religious beliefs, etc. (optional). 

I was born and raised in Palatine Township and attended its schools and programs, as did many of my siblings and cousins from our large family.  I grew up riding my bike along every bike trail and into every corner of the Township. When I owned my pavement construction business, I did some work on parking lots and roads in this area; so working our campaign trail has been a fun “walk” down memory lane as I remember the neighborhoods from my youth.  I don’t consider myself a politician, but rather someone who cares deeply about the area and understands its history, what it needs, and where everything is.  I spend much of my personal time growing my current company, which is in community management (property/real estate management).  I also coach youth sports and spend as much time as I can with my family.  As a current Palatine Zoning Board of Appeals member, I take the time to research areas and issues on which we will vote.  Volunteering for local civic organizations is another serious passion of mine.  My hobbies include: chess, poker, poetry, theology, coaching, writing, movies, philosophy, psychology, communication, business, politics, scuba-diving, hang-gliding, learning, volunteerism, and anything that makes me laugh!