Lester A. Ottenheimer III: Buffalo Grove Trustee Candidate

Name: Lester A. Ottenheimer, III

Age: 58

Family: Married— 3 sons Scott, Alex and Adam

Education: B S Indiana University Public and Environmental Affairs; J.D. Indiana University School of Law

Occupation: Attorney

Previous Elected or Appointed Offices: Buffalo Grove Days Committee—1994-1995; Buffalo Grove Plan Commission 1995-2011 (the last 10 years as Chairman)

Other community involvement: United Way of Buffalo Grove/Wheeling—Director, President and Campaign Chair—1990-1995

Position sought: Village of Buffalo Grove Trustee

Campaign E-mail address: NA

Campaign committee: NA

Campaign Website: NA

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Why are you running?

I have been a resident of the Village of Buffalo Grove for over 26 years. Buffalo Grove has been a wonderful place to live and to raise a family. Simply put, I believe in giving back to my community, and this is one way to do so. I have been a village Volunteer for approximately 20 years and as a trustee, I can give back to the fullest extent. I am proud to live in Buffalo Grove and want to make Buffalo Grove an even better place to live and raise a family.

In what ways would the village benefit from your service?

Because of my volunteer service to the Village, including 15 plus years on the Plan Commission and having served for 10 years as its chairman, I have worked closely with Village Staff and past and current elected officials and Trustees. In that position, I have obtained a real and practical knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of Buffalo Grove. I am a current trustee, serving for the past 2 years to fill the unexpired term of Board President Jeff Braiman when he became Mayor. I plan to utilize that information and experience in my position as Trustee to further the short term and long range goals and economic development of the Village and to maintain a strong tax base. This will insure the Village of Buffalo Grove stays on course with logical and practical planning, economic development and fiscal responsibility. I have also gained a working knowledge of the services Buffalo Grove offers to its residents and will continue in my role as Trustee to make sure the same level of excellent core services area continuing to be offered to all residents.

I believe in open and honest communication and transparency in relation to the Village Board, its staff and the residents of the Village of Buffalo Grove. Since I have been a Village Trustee, I am proud to say the Village has established an Electric Aggregation Program—saving residents money on their electric bills and obtained a fixed cost for the next five years for refuse and recycling services. During my term, the Village has also achieved a balance Budget--no small feat in these touch economic times, and the Village once again has achieved a AAA Bond rating. The Village is almost ready to roll out its on line bill payment, which is another convenience to the residents. I will continue to work to develop programs and policies for the benefit of Buffalo Grove.

What is the biggest challenge the village faces and what should be done to address it?

The biggest challenges the Village faces are economic development and maintaining a strong fiscal policy.

The Village must continue to diversify its revenue streams to avoid a strong dependence on property and other local taxes. The Village must continue to control its costs—both internally and externally- to maintain a balanced budget. The Village must also continue to generate sufficient revenue so as to maintain the requested level of core services it provides to its residents.

Economic Development in the Village continues to be a major theme. Economic development will generate more income and revenue to and for the Village of Buffalo Grove—which is necessary in order to maintain fiscal strength. The Village needs to continue to work with and attract developers as it pertains to the redevelopment of the Dundee Road corridor and the Milwaukee Avenue corridor. Development for the sake of development, however, is not the goal. Development must be strategically planned for the goal of generating as much revenue as possible for the Village, while at the same time balancing the needs and inconvenience of the residents. Buffalo Grove should continue its participation with the Lake County partners as well as other regional development organizations.

What do you think the village does well?

The Village does an admirable job of balancing the budget and providing a high level of core services to its residents. The Village also does a great job at keeping residents informed of all issues and is excellent at its transparency in Village Government.

What should be some of the village’s priorities over the next four years?

The Village should continue to diversity its revenue stream to avoid a dependance on property and other local taxes. The Village should also continue its economic development efforts with emphasis on the Dundee Road and Milwaukee Avenue corridors.

What are your thoughts on the recent proposal to convert the Buffalo Grove Golf Course into a downtown? What do you think are some of its pros and cons? 

It is too early to comment on the viability of converting the Buffalo Grove golf course into a downtown. There are first significant issues to address—such as flood plain issues (the golf course is in a flood plain), traffic and environmental issues. While it would be a great for the Village to have a "downtown', the golf course is just one property along with others that should be considered.

What else would you like voters to know?

I care very much for the Village of Buffalo Grove and this is just one opportunity for me to give back to the community. I am passionate, about the village, hardworking and fair and honest. I believe in transparency in government. Based on my professional and Village experience, I believe I would make an excellent Trustee for the Village of Buffalo Grove.