Wheeling Township Trustee Candidate: Robert Hoban

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

Robert Hoban

Age:  43

Family: Wife Elizabeth; daughters Colleen, 2,

Emily, 10 months.  

Education:  Juris Doctor, Marquette University Law School.

Occupation:  Attorney

Previous elected or appointed offices: Community Representative, Skinner West Elementary School.

Position sought:  Wheeling Township Trustee.

Political party:  Republican

Campaign E-mail address: hoban.robert@comcast.net

What is the primary reason you are running for this office?  I am running because I strongly believe that one of government’s primary purposes is to provide needed services to the community in the most cost effective way possible.  That dedication, as well as the fact that JoAnne Schultz was retiring after a distinguished career of service, led me to the decision to run for Wheeling Township Trustee.  

What will be your single most important priority if you get elected? To continue to provide needed social services, such as medical van and bus rides to our senior citizens, our food pantry, heating assistance to our disadvantaged residents, and youth programs, without increasing the tax burden on the residents of Wheeling Township.   

What are the top three issues facing Wheeling Township residents? Due to the demands of a multitude of taxing bodies, including schools, parks, and Villages, Wheeling Township Residents are seeing their property taxes rise to levels that threaten to drive them from their homes. At the same time, the State is slashing funding for social services, making Township Government more needed now than ever.  As a Wheeling Township Trustee, I will not request an increase in your taxes.  Instead, I will control costs by closely monitoring our service providers with spot audits and by soliciting volunteerism through community outreach.  

People also need to be made aware of the services provided by the Township. Although our newsletter does an excellent job of informing the community of what is available, we should explore other ways of promoting the services that we offer, such as by making presentations in nursing and group homes and by collaborating with other units of local government to promote our services.

What sets you apart from the other candidates?  Number one, I show up at the Township Board meetings and began showing up prior to deciding to become a candidate.  This has enabled me to understand how the Township works and how and why certain service providers receive funding and some don’t.  This is in stark contrast to my Democratic opponents, none of whom have ever shown up at a meeting.  

I also believe that my experience in local government makes me a good choice for Township Trustee.  As an attorney who frequently represents public entities, I have extensive knowledge of how budgets are prepared and how priorities are set.  I was also twice elected Community Representative at Skinner West Elementary, where I worked to reduce student fees by 85%.  This was done through outreach to the community and through increased transparency.  When people are made aware of what needs exist in the community, and are able to see exactly how their dollars are spent, volunteerism and donations increase tremendously.