Below are candidate-submitted answers to a biographical survey Riverside-Brookfield Landmark sent out to all candidates running in this year’s elections.
Age: 53
Dave is a 48 year resident of Brookfield. He and his wife dawn are proud parents of two children, Kaylee Lynn and Davey Jr.
Previous political experience: Dave is currently a village trustee, elected in 2015 and serves as liason to the special events commission. Dave is also a member of the Board of Local Improvements, where he serves as secretary. He was previously elected as village trustee, serving from 2007 until 2011. During that time, he was also liason to the Public Safety Commission and to the Special Events Commission. Dave served four terms, appointed by four different village presidents, as chairman of the Parks and Recreation Commission between 1995 and 2015. He also served as chairman of the Special Events Commission.
Previous community experience: Dave is an Eagle Scout of the Boy Scouts of America and received the vigil honor, of the order of the arrow. He is also a member of the national Eagle Scout Association. Dave is a former assistant scoutmaster of Troop 21 as well as Cubmaster with Pack 21 at Congress Park School.
Dave is active in the Congress Park PTO and has been lead room parent for many years. Dave is also a member of the District 102 Delagate Assembly, representing Congress Park School.
Dave was a member of the Brookfield Jaycees beginning in 1987. He was officer of the year in 1998 and given the John H. Armbruster award. He served as local president from 1999-2001 and chairman of the board in 2001 and 2002. In 2006 Dave was presented the junior chamber international Senator award.
Dave has also been an active member of the Brookfield Chamber of Commerce, as well as a Brookfield Little League coach and manager. He currently is a Brookfield Little League board member. Dave also coached and managed teams for Western Conference Babe Ruth, where in 1988 he took his team to the Babe Ruth World Series. A former instructor for Mickey Owen Baseball School and Baseball Schools USA, most people know him as “Coach Dave.”
Occupation: Dave is a professional photographer, as well as the operations manager
for his family’s floral business in Brookfield.
Education:
Congress Park School, Brookfield, K-6
Park Jr. High, LaGrange Park, 7-8
Lyons Township High School, LaGrange, 9-12
College of DuPage, studied business and photography
What should the village board’s role be in promoting economic development? What are the best tools for doing so and what else can the village board to help recruit new businesses and maintain the ones already here?
We should set polices and plans for any future development in Brookfield. Brookfield is land locked and the village only owns a small percentage of property. Establishing our first TIF district on Ogden Avenue was the start of possibly now four in town to set the table for businesses to know what we have in place for them. Our continued support and communication with the Brookfield Chamber of Commerce will help us understand any issues.
Since the last election in 2017, there has been quite a bit of change in terms of village hall staffing – a new manager, planner, fire chief, public works director (still to be named) and recreation director – what do you make of all that change and what do you think of the team that’s assembled at this time?
I am very excited about the new additions to our staff. We have some great people that work for the village of Brookfield!!! The new employees that I was involved in, as far as the search and the hiring prossess, will make Brookfield shine. I have the confidence in our new hire as village manager to make great decisions on the team he wants to assemble.
Much has been made over appropriate uses in Brookfield commercial districts, particularly Eight Corners, in the past year or so. What’s the best way to foster the development the village prefers?
You must set policies and follow our zoning codes for staff to do there job.
The village in 2016 was successful in passing a referendum to address road improvements during the next decade. The village’s alleys, meanwhile continue to be a constant source of complaints from residents. What can be done to address alley improvements? Is there a better way to do it aside from the present petition system?
I do think we can do better on alley maintenence. I would like to sit down with our village manager and our new public works director and share my thoughts and thoughts from residents that I have talked with.
Are there areas where the village could be providing better service to residents? How?
Communication. I think it is always changing with time. We need to get our message out better to the residents of Brookfield.
What other issues do you feel will be important for the next village board to address? How should they be addressed?
I think the budget will always be a challenge. Prices going up and everyone wanting more.
