Election 2013: David Schmidt for Mayor of Park Ridge

The following information was provided by Mayor David Schmidt. Patch provides a platform for candidates to share their messages, and does not give endorsements. To share your message with readers, add it to the Local Voices section on Park Ridge Patch.

Name:  David Schmidt

Position sought:  Mayor of Park Ridge

Campaign contact information. Please include any or all of the following: website, email address, phone number, Facebook page, Twitter account, mailing address, etc.:

Website: www.electdaveschmidt.com

Email: dave@parkridgemayor.com

Phone: (847) 461-VOTE

Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Re-elect-Dave-Schmidt-Mayor-of-Park-Ridge-IL

Mailing address: 2 South Prairie Avenue, Park Ridge, IL 60068

Age: 55

Family Include as much info as you like (names, ages, number of children, etc.):

Son, Kevin Schmidt, 27; one grandchild, Sophia, 22 months.

Education Include degree(s) and school(s):

Bachelor of Arts (Business Administration), 1978 from Coe College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; JD (cum laude), 1990 from Loyola University School of Law

Occupation: Lawyer

Political Party: Non-partisan

Official name of your campaign committee (if you have one): Citizens to Elect Dave Schmidt

Previous Elected or Appointed Offices:

Commissioner, Park Ridge Planning and Zoning Commission, 2006-07; Alderman, First Ward, Park Ridge City Council, 2007-09; Mayor, Park Ridge, 2009-13.

Is there any additional experience you believe qualifies you for the position?

37 years as a taxpayer, including 9 years as a Park Ridge property taxpayer.

What would your priorities be if elected to this office?

To continue the policies of the past four years which have brought about a better-managed, more transparent and fiscally responsible government for the taxpayers of Park Ridge while continuing to address the city's infrastructure, which was neglected before I took office in 2009.

What are the most important issues facing Park Ridge and what would you do as mayor to address them?

The single biggest issue is addressing the impact of the Uptown TIF bond debt on the city's general fund. We will need to continue being vigilant in controlling our spending so we can meet our TIF obligations without sacrificing city services or asking the taxpayers for large property tax increases.

It has been estimated that the Uptown tax increment financing fund, or TIF, will cost the general fund approximately $1 million annually. What action would you support the city take to address the Uptown TIF debt, why, and how is your position different than your opponent’s?

As stated above, I will continue to pursue policies I have followed over the past four years which have generated significant general fund surpluses that have allowed us to meet our TIF obligations without diminishing city services. We will also work towards renegotiating onerous agreements with other taxing bodies, which were approved by previous elected officials. Finally, we must carefully analyze whether it makes sense to refinance the TIF bonds knowing that doing so could very well impose an increased burden on future generations of taxpayers.

O’Hare International Airport has plans to construct a cargo facility in the northeast portion of the airport, which will increase air traffic over Park Ridge during the nighttime. Additionally, the Federal Aviation Administration is expected to respond to letters sent by Park Ridge regarding flight traffic sometime this year. What would you do, if elected, to represent Park Ridge residents’ interests with regard to noise pollution and expansion of airport operations?

I will continue to pursue the policies of the past four years, which is to work with our federal elected officials to get the FAA to re-examine the impact of the O'Hare expansion using updated methods and modern technology.  We will continue our efforts to garner support from surrounding communities for a resolution asking the FAA to conduct a Supplemental Environmental Impact Study.  Finally, we will continue to work with the O'Hare Noise Compatibility Commission on strengthening the Fly Quiet program, which will help eliminate flights over residential areas during nighttime hours.

Why would you do a better job representing Park Ridge than your opponent?

I have seven years of experience in Park Ridge city government.  My opponent has none. I have attended hundreds of city council meetings in the past six years as both an alderman and the mayor, which has given me a good working knowledge of how the city operates, how the budget process works and areas which need improvement. Even prior to becoming an alderman, I regularly attended council meetings and spoke out on issues of concern to my neighbors and taxpayers in general.  My opponent has attended approximately 10 meetings and has never, not once, stood up and expressed his views or otherwise participated in the discussions and debates. Most importantly, I view my role as the representative of the taxpayers, nobody else. My opponent cannot say the same thing. His campaign is being funded by special interests, including a political action committee and a Park Ridge employee labor union which is currently negotiating a contract with the city which could very well cost the taxpayers even more in personnel costs.