Wheeling Township Supervisor Candidate: Fernando “Fred” Arenas

Patch wants to help you get to know your candidates for Wheeling Township supervisor.

Fernando "Fred" Arenas

Age: 75

Family: Married, 42 years. Two adult children.

Education: Bachelor of Science Industrial Education, U of I, 1963

Occupation: Retired airline pilot. Air Force and Air Force Reserve veteran.

Previous elected or appointed offices: Member of American Legion. Previously was elected member of the Airline Pilots Association governing board at TWA.

Position sought: Wheeling Township Supervisor

Political party: Democrat

Campaign E-mail address: wheelingtwpinfo@gmail.com

Campaign Website: http://Dems4LowerTaxes.com

Campaign Facebook: Wheeling Twp Info

Campaign Twitter: @WheelingTwpInfo

What is the primary reason you are running for this office? To use my lifetime of experience and know-how in order to improve things for taxpayers. My team and I will maintain and protect the local social safety net by focusing on services that are not provided by any other local government agencies. That includes being taxpayer advocates, stocking the food pantry, being a connection point for veterans, job-seekers, the disabled and others as well as continuing to offer a wide range of helpful senior services.

What will be your single most important priority if you get elected? Cutting property taxes.

What are the top three issues facing Wheeling Township residents?

Jobs/retirement savings and financial stability.

Property taxes and being able to stay in our homes even into retirement.

Maintaining the quality of life needed to keep up our communities.

What sets you apart from the other candidate? I am willing to cut the Supervisor position’s salary and I will work with my fellow Democrats to reduce taxes and let voters decide if they want to abolish the road district through a referendum. We will also work on creating a Wheeling Township Economic Council which will maximize and coordinate with existing programs (in order to keep any costs to bare minimum). This Economic Council will be more than just a perfunctory “job bank”. Instead it will be a clearinghouse and go-to resource to help local businesses, job-seekers and taxpayers. Among other ideas my team and I have for maximizing the Township’s services, we can also do simple changes like changing the hours that the Township Hall is open. By being open during some evening or even weekend morning hours more residents will be able to use services, drop off food for the pantry, etc.

Anything else you would like to add? The incumbents have been in office for more than a decade. Many of the status quo functions of Township government should be re-evaluated with a fresh perspective to determine whether or not they are even needed or if costs can be sensibly cut. Any cost savings should then be directed toward either reducing taxes or improving services for seniors, the disabled, veterans and the most vulnerable.

From 1980 to 1997, I was the office manager for the Chicago branch of the Airline Pilots Association supervising from one to three full time employees. Principal among the required duties was the formulation of the annual office budget as well as assisting various pilot representatives.

In sum, as a veteran of the Air Force and Air Force Reserve and as a retired airline pilot and elected member of the Airline Pilots Association governing board at TWA, I have a lifetime of experience in ensuring the safety of thousands upon thousands of people as well as responsibility for various business and personnel matters all of which is directly applicable to fulfilling the duties and responsibilities required of an active and engaged Wheeling Township Supervisor.