Village Of Tinley Park Trustee Candidate Michael Mueller: Election '23

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Name: Michael Mueller

Age on Election Day: 43

Town/City of Residence: Tinley Park

Office Sought: Village Board

Party Affiliation: Non-partisan, One Tinley Park

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? No

Education: Bachelor's Degree in Economics - Master's Degree in Information Technology - Loyola University Chicago

Occupation: Senior Principal Software Architect - 20 years of experience

Campaign Website: https://www.onetinleypark.com/

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: Tinley Park Trustee, 2019 - Present

The most pressing issues facing our (board, district, etc.) are _______, and this is what I intend to do about them. As a Tinley Park Trustee, my top priority is to ensure that our residents are able to live in a safe and vibrant community. I believe that the best way to do this is through investment in public safety, fiscal responsibility, and economic development. I am committed to protecting taxpayers’ money by ensuring that their hard-earned dollars are spent wisely and efficiently. At the same time, I will continue to work to attract and retain businesses to Tinley Park, creating jobs and strengthening our local economy. By doing this, we can ensure that Tinley Park remains a desirable place to live and work.

Ultimately, my goal is to make Tinley Park the best place to live, work, and raise a family.

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

I am part of the One Tinley Park team and we bring a wealth of experience to the table. I have been a Trustee for the Village of Tinley Park since 2019, and during that time I have been the Trustee Liaison to the Community Development and Marketing Departments, the Chair of the Community Development and Marketing Committees, and the President Pro Tem and Chair of the Committee of the Whole. This experience has given me a unique insight into the needs of the Village and the ability to see the big picture.

The One Tinley Park team and I are committed to continuing to make Tinley Park safer, provide an even stronger sense of community, and strengthen the economic plan for the Village’s future.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform: As a member of the One Tinley Park team, I am dedicated to making our Village even better and stronger. During my campaign, I will work to prioritize and tackle key issues that are important to residents and businesses alike.

I will continue my work to improve public safety. This includes ensuring we have the correct public safety personnel in place and continuing to invest in safety programs and equipment. I will also work to ensure our police officers are properly trained and equipped to protect and serve our community.

And, I will continue my focus on encouraging economic development, creating more jobs, and attracting new businesses to Tinley Park. This includes working with local businesses to understand their needs and ensure they are able to thrive and grow. I will also work to ensure that Tinley Park remains an attractive place to live and work by investing in infrastructure improvements and advocating for smart development projects.

I am proud to be part of the One Tinley Park team and I am committed to making Tinley Park a great place to live and work. I look forward to continuing to serve the community and to make a positive difference in our Village.

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

As a part of the One Tinley Park team, I am proud to have served Tinley Park as a Trustee over the last four years. During this time, I have worked hard to ensure that the Village is a safe, vibrant and economically strong community.

One of the most notable accomplishments during my tenure was the revitalization of the Harlem Avenue Corridor. Working with the Village staff, I was part of the team that was able to establish a TIF District that has brought new businesses and investments to this area, such as Amazon Fresh, an upcoming Pete's Fresh Market and an upcoming Chick-Fil-A.

I have also focused on keeping residents and businesses safe by investing in public safety, while also finding ways to use technology to make the Village and its staff more efficient. Additionally, I have worked to ensure that our audit reports remain clean, and that the Village budget is managed judiciously, even during the economic uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Why should voters trust you? Voters should trust me because I have a proven track record of success in my first term as Tinley Park Trustee. During my first term, I have been instrumental in many critical projects throughout the Village. I am proud to have been part of the team that added the TIF that has revitalized the Harlem Avenue Corridor, brought many new projects to Tinley Park, removed the fee for Vehicle Stickers, safeguarded the Village with appropriate checks and balances, and managed the Tinley Park budget judiciously during the COVID 19 Pandemic and the resulting economic uncertainty.

I am also passionate about continuing to keep residents, businesses, and guests safe with our strong investment in public safety, fighting to keep taxes for residents low, and continuing to find ways to use technology to make the Village and its staff more efficient. I am committed to working with the State of Illinois and other agencies to acquire and clean the Mental Health Center.

I have a strong commitment to Tinley Park and its residents and I am proud to be part of the One Tinley Park team. My goal is to ensure the continued strong economic growth of the Village of Tinley Park while maintaining the safety and security of our residents and guests. I believe I have the experience, knowledge, and dedication to continue to serve Tinley Park as Trustee in my second term.

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office as a success? If I am reelected to the position of Tinley Park Trustee, I will consider my term in office a success if I am able to continue to work with my fellow trustees and village staff to promote responsible economic development, ensure the safety of our residents and businesses, and keep our taxes low. I want Tinley Park to remain a desirable place to live, work, and visit, and I hope to continue to find ways to make our village more attractive and attractive.

I also want to continue to use technology and innovation to make our village more efficient and effective. This includes finding innovative ways to manage our budget to ensure that we are able to keep taxes low while still providing the services our residents need and deserve.

Finally, I want to continue to foster an atmosphere of open dialogue between the board, residents, and businesses. I believe that by listening to each other, we can make the best decisions for our village and ensure that Tinley Park continues to be a desirable and prosperous place to live.

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the handling of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking? As a Village Trustee, I believe that it is my job to ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly and with great care. My goal is to ensure that our government spending is allocated to the most important and necessary areas, while also ensuring that we are utilizing money efficiently and effectively.

My fiscal policy focuses on maintaining a balanced budget that puts residents first. I believe that every penny should be spent as if it were coming out of the pocket of a resident, so that we can ensure that taxpayers are getting the most bang for their buck. I am a firm believer in fiscal responsibility and transparency, and I am committed to being a watchdog for the taxpayers of Tinley Park.

I have worked hard over the past four years to ensure that Tinley Park is able to remain strong and prosperous in spite of the economic challenges of the pandemic. I have been involved in numerous projects that have helped to boost the economy and bring in more revenue for the village. I have also worked to ensure that we are able to keep taxes low for residents, while still being able to invest in our infrastructure and public safety departments.

I am proud of the work that I have been able to accomplish in my time as Trustee, and I am committed to continuing to work hard to ensure that the village of Tinley Park remains a strong and vibrant community.

Do you support the Illinois assault weapons ban, and would you support a local assault weapons ban in this community? No answer provided.

Do you support Black Lives Matter, and do you think the current board has done enough to support racial equality? If not, what specifically should be done to do so? No answer.

Do you support the SAFE-T Act? Why or why not? No answer provided.

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? No answer provided.

What is your view of the city's/village's approach to commercial and residential development?

No answer provided.

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? No answer provided.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family? No, there is no reason why I would not serve my full term of office other than those of health or family. Serving the Village of Tinley Park as Trustee is and has been an honor and a privilege, and I am committed to doing my best to ensure the Village continues to be a great place to live, work and visit.

The best advice ever shared with me was: Never stop learning. This is a piece of advice that I apply in all aspects of my life. As a Trustee, I strive to stay informed and continue to learn more about the issues facing the Village of Tinley Park. As a Senior Principal Software Architect, I must stay current on the latest technology and trends in my field. As a Dad, husband, and community member, I take the time to learn about the needs of those around me. By always learning, I am better able to serve my community and my family.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions? I am honored to be running for my second term as Trustee for the Village of Tinley Park. During my first term, I have had the privilege to serve as Trustee Liaison to the Community Development and Marketing Department, as well as Chair of the Community Development and Marketing Committees, and a member of the Finance Committee. Through these roles I have gained extensive knowledge and understanding of the role of Trustee and the unique challenges that come along with it.

I am excited to continue to serve the people of Tinley Park for another 4 years and to use the knowledge and experience I have gained to further the Village's growth and development. Over the past 4 years, I have worked hard to ensure the Village has been able to thrive despite the economic downturn of the pandemic. My team and I have been instrumental in bringing several new projects to Tinley Park such as the Loyola Medical Outpatient Center, Amazon Fresh, and Standalone Starbucks. We have also removed the fee for vehicle stickers and managed the Tinley Park budget judiciously during the pandemic.

If elected, I will continue to serve with integrity, use open dialogue with residents and businesses, and make decisions that will benefit the Village. I will also fight to keep taxes low for residents, continue to invest in public safety, and use technology to make the Village and its staff more efficient. I look forward to continuing to serve the people of Tinley Park and make it the best it can be, and I believe the One Tinley Park team is the best choice for the residents, businesses, and guests of Tinley Park.