Michael T. Shorten

Age: 37

Office sought: Crystal Lake City Council

Bio: National Account Manager for B2B Office Supplier; serving second term on Church Council at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ; president and co-founder of KIC Leukemia, a non-profit corporation dedicated to advocacy on leukemia related issues; graduated from Buffalo Grove High School in 1990, and have taken college courses at Northern Illinois University and Harper College.

1. What are your top priorities?

I believe that Crystal Lake government should be focused on meeting basic obligations during these difficult economic times. Included in these obligations are support of superior fire and protection services, maintaining and improving water and sewer services and continuing with ongoing maintenance of city roadways. I will oppose any new taxes without an absolute need and advocate for a reduction of the 2008 sales tax increase. I will support development efforts that compliment the overall character of the city with a firm respect to the impact that new development has on the people and surrounding neighbors.

2. What is your view of the Vulcan Lakes Recreation Area project? Has the city taken the right approach in advancing it?

I appreciate the value of the Vulcan Lake project, but disagree with the city utilizing it as partial justification for the 2008 sales tax increase. If the Vulcan Lakes TIF district passed in 2005 was insufficient to pay for the improvements, alternative approaches should have been further explored. While the initial phase of the project has an anticipated $10 million to $16 million price tag, I have concerns about the long-term maintenance and operational costs. I would support continued development of the park, provided that future development costs are covered by the TIF funding, and that the project was producing the desired outcomes.

3. Should the Crystal Lake Park District be added to the city's lake safety agreement with Lakewood?

Crystal Lake Park District retains ownership rights to the bottom of the lake. In order to prevent future conflict and costly litigation, the best interests of the city are served by strongly considering the park district's request to join the agreement. I do think that concerns about park district motives relative to restrictions of motor boats on the lake need to be addressed. This and other long-term concerns could be mitigated if all parties agreed to require a unanimous vote for major changes in lake policy.

4. Why are you seeking public office?

I am running because I care about the long term future of the people and the City of Crystal Lake. Maintaining Crystal Lake's attractiveness to people and business, both inside and outside of the community, is important. Progress, however should move forward without providing for further burden in the way of increased taxes or a negative impact upon the quality of life for the citizens of Crystal Lake. It is my hope that by serving as a council member, that I will represent a different view of the issues, balancing the desire for progress with the need for stability.

5. Why are you the best person for the office that you are seeking?

If elected, I will provide a fresh set of eyes on the challenges and obligations that face us in Crystal Lake. As councilman, my decisions will be measured based on the needs of the city with a firm respect toward the impact that those decisions have on the people in the community. The people of Crystal Lake can trust that I will approach the issues from an objective point of view and offer a willingness to listen and the independence to represent their best interests and those of the city.