Robert Brechbiel: Candidate For Crystal Lake City Council

CRYSTAL LAKE, IL — Ahead of the April 4 consolidated municipal elections, Patch.com provided questionnaires to all city council candidates on the ballot.

In Crystal Lake, five candidates are running for three open seats on the Crystal Lake City Council. Here are the responses for Robert Brechbiel:

Name: Robert Brechbiel

Age (as of Election Day): 47

Town/City of Residence: Crystal Lake

Office sought: City council

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? This includes any relatives who work in the government you're running for: No

Education: Bachelor's Degree from NIU

Occupation. Please include years of experience: Crystal Lake Firefighter/Paramedic

Campaign Website: Facebook: Robert Brechbiel for City Council

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: N/A

The most pressing issues facing our (board, district, etc.) are _______, and this is what I intend to do about them.

The current council is either unaware or uninformed of the current state of affairs with the emergency services of Crystal Lake. Staffing levels are at a critical level and call volumes are at historic highs, the combination of the two creates the possibility of unsafe conditions for the providers and the public, life saving service that is delayed or unavailable due to depleted resources, and care that may fall short of the expectations of the public. As a council member, I would work to restore staffing to sustainable levels that not only meets current demand, but provides for the already approved future growth in the City.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

My current employment with the city provides me with intimate knowledge of how the city functions, the services it provides, and how those services have been eroded over the last 10 years

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)?

The current council has referred to themselves as a "team". Teams have a single vision and work towards a single goal, usually at the expense of some other team. With teams, their is a winner and a loser. Councils are very different than teams, thus should work very different. Councils don't exist to win at the expense of a loser. Councils exist to provide the best outcome for the most people. Councils are diverse and made up of people who have different opinions and backgrounds. Debate among a council provides vision when a team can be blind to better ideas by their singular focus.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

Open and Honest Government that provides for today and plans for the future. Government that doesn't pick winners and losers, but does the most good for the most people.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I'm my line of work I am expected to perform in stressful, chaotic situations. For over 21 years, both part time and as a career, I have been called on and presented with problems and found a way to solve them. I should be able to do the same for the City when presented in less stressful and chaotic situations.

Why should voters trust you?

Residents of Crystal Lake have trusted me for the past 17 years as a member of Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department to come into their homes and provide them with the care that I would give to my own family. I would apply the same standard of service as a Crystal Lake Council member

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office as a success?

I will consider anything that I had a hand in crafting, big or small, that benefits the residents of Crystal Lake a success.

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the handling of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking?

I think the public has a right to know how their tax dollars are being used and what services those dollars provide. I believe tax money should be used to build or better public spaces, and those public spaces don't necessarily need to be profitable to be sustainable. Public spaces that cater to a wide public interest naturally bring people out to enjoy them. When people go out they are more likely to shop and eat at local establishments. The taxes gained through this exchange continue to support, maintain and build public spaces and services.

Do you support the Illinois assault weapons ban, and would you support a local assault weapons ban in this community?

I do support the Illinois assault weapons ban and I hope it withstands the challenges it faces in court. However, my support of a local assault weapons ban is moot because state law supercedes any local ordinance. Either way the court rules with regard to the ban, I will follow.

Do you support the SAFE-T Act? Why or why not?

The SAFE-T Act consists of broad legislative policies that cover police work and the rights of those in protective custody. Many of the parts of the law that govern policing codify the actions of good police work by good police officers. The parts of the law that protect those in police custody attempt to solve or rectify actions that have long lasting effects on certain individuals. I think it is important to remember that this law, which may not be perfect, tries a different approach to a problem that is not new. The SAFET-Y Act may solve some problems and may fall short on others, but can be amended in the future as needed.

What are your thoughts on the crime rate in your community, and what more can be done to combat crime — especially violent crime — in town?

Crystal Lake certainly is not a crime free neighborhood, such a place doesn't exist. However, I don't feel Cystal Lake has a violent crime problem.

When it comes to development, what are some key areas for improvement or additions you feel are most wanted by residents? What will need to be done to make this happen?

Crystal Lake has prime shopping real-estate along Route 14 corridor that could bring in out of town shoppers, reduce the tax burden on residents while providing a source of funding for city services, education, and public spaces if developed smartly. This area doesn't need to be enhanced by being a TIF District diverting tax dollars from going to other more needed areas.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family?

If elected, I can not foresee any other reason for not serving my full term.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Just do the right thing

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

If elected to Crystal Lake City Council, I will work to provide transparency in how city government functions and how it spends your tax dollars