Tom Cook For Oswego Township Highway Commissioner: Patch Candidate Profile

Name: Tom Cook

Age: 54

Position Sought: Oswego Township Highway Commissioner

Family: Donna – Spouse (married 30 years) – School Teacher, Son – Michael - age 28 – Art School Graduate – currently working in supply house in Oswego. Son – Alexander (and my daughter in-law Lauren)- age 26 – recent Army Veteran – Currently working as an Apprentice Electrician with I.B.E.W. Local 461, Daughter – Danielle – age – 23 – Paramedic and currently attending the Fire Academy to become a fire fighter. She is being sponsored by Oswego Fire Protection District.

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

Education: Graduated Oswego High School – Class of 1981, Attended Waubonsee Community College, Graduated a 4 year Electrical Trade School with IBEW Local 461 in Aurora.

Occupation: Electrician from 1984 to 1992, General Manager - Electrical Contractor in Oswego from 1993 to present date.

Why are you running?

To bring professionalism back to the Oswego Township Highway Department. I have lived in Oswego since 1969. The fact that many issues and concerns have been brought to light is alarming and embarrassing.

The current administration has been there a long time. Not in every instance, but often, this scenario breeds complacency and a “status quo” mentality. This could be why the department is in its current state of affairs.

The fact is, the residents of Oswego are going to elect a new Highway Commissioner. I believe that person needs to be from the business arena. Not a politician or an existing public worker. Someone new, to take a deeper look into all aspects of the administrative and operational duties performed by the Township Highway Department. Someone who has the experience and proven ability in leading a large organization that executes the same type of services that the Highway Department does. Someone with a business eye, new attitude, and new approach.

If I am fortunate enough to be elected by the residents of Oswego and become their new Highway Commissioner I will bring that experience to the Highway Department.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office:

I was appointed by Mayor Weber to sit on the Oswego Board of Appeals. While serving on that board, we heard appeals brought to them by contractors doing work in the village. Complaints were usually about code violations that the village’s building inspector issued citations for.

Campaign Website: None

What do you hope to accomplish in office?

To make the department more efficient through tighter controls and procedures.

I want to work closer with neighboring entities like the Village of Oswego and others. Currently there is some cooperation between the Village and the Township but not enough. The savings could be used in many ways.

I would like to improve the sidewalks in Boulder Hill. They are deteriorating. I want to stay in front of that before the project becomes overwhelming in size.

I also want to add Solar street lighting in Boulder Hill. There are areas that are too dark. I want to make sure the people of Boulder Hill are safe and that there are no areas that are opportunistic for illegal activity.

I want improve the way the Township communicates with the residents of Oswego through social media.

How would you hold local government employees accountable?

There is that old saying “what doesn’t get measured, doesn’t get done!” When it comes to administrative and operational duties, everything will measured and monitored. It starts with listing the daily routine tasks, documenting who is responsible for certain tasks, listing them on a responsibility schedule and holding weekly meetings to report back on how efficiently and professionally the duties were performed. Then there are down time activities that need to be reviewed. This year there was only one significant snow event. Three years ago there were thirty-three events. How are we using that downtime when the work load is light? Can we use it more wisely to be less reliant on subcontractors? Are assets being maintained properly? Are we taking advantage of technology to be more efficient? Then there is safety. Not only for the worker but also for the community. In the business world we are measured by the NCCI on how safe we are as an entity and rated accordingly. Unsafe practices cause a loss in productivity and cost a lot of money in workers compensation claims. All safety practices will be reviewed, monitored and documented. Safety training will be scheduled weekly and each worker will be held accountable for the way they practice safe work habits. In the past I have used the reward system for excellent safety practices. That approach seems to keep everyone upbeat about continual training and working safe.

Explain your attitudes toward fiscal policy, government spending and how taxpayer dollars should be handled by your office (or board)?

As a taxpayer myself I know that taxes are necessary to provide services to the citizens. I want my tax dollars spent wisely. I am aware that Kendall County has one of the highest tax rates in the state.

If I am elected, I will be conservative while providing services the Township needs. That means making sure that the township is getting the lowest price for commodities and consumables, getting multiple bids on construction services such as sidewalk, road, and bridge repairs, getting the proper approvals for the use of money, self – performing as much work as possible, and sharing forces and equipment with neighboring entities to reduce costs.

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

General manager of a large local Electrical Contractor leading the company to 11 million in sales. Local projects completed: Oswego Village Hall, Oswego Fire Station #1, (5) Oswego Schools, Kendall Co. Court House, and many more.

Served as a trustee for the IBEW Electrical workers Local 461’s Health, Welfare, & Pension Trust Funds, and sit on their investment committee.

Elected to the National Electrical Contractors Board of Directors.

Appointed to chair the IBEW’s audit committee by the National Electrical Contractors.

Appointed to serve on the drug testing committee for IBEW Local 461

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

I am very committed to this community! My family moved me here in 1969 when I was in first grade. I went to Boulder Hill Elementary School, Oswego Jr. High, and Oswego High School. I have lived in multiple locations in Boulder Hill and Oswego. I have always wanted to serve the citizens of Oswego in some capacity. This opportunity is exactly what I know best. I am asking for your vote and to allow me the opportunity to serve as the new Oswego Township Highway Commissioner.

Photo provided by Tom Cook