Election 2013: Ted Schauer

Your Name: Ted V. Schauer

Position Sought: Darien City Council, Ward 1

Campaign Contact Information: 630-776-1487

Family Members: Wife Kristina; sons Trevor, 13, and Tristan, 10.

Education: BA in Political Science, University of Iowa

Current Occupation and Employer: Home mortgage consultant with the second largest bank mortgage service provider in the United States.

Why Are You Seeking Office?

Four years ago when I first ran, I wanted to be a voice on the city council that not only represents my ward in issues that affect them currently, but I also wanted to be a voice where I can represent my ward and the city of Darien as an alderman with a voice towards the future. This means continuing to not only make good sound decisions that positively affect the people of Ward 1, but also make decisions that have and will have a positive impact for my ward and the city now and in the future.

What will be your single most important priority if you get elected?

To continue to maintain the excellent services the people of Ward 1 have come to expect while spending the least amount of money and resources in order to do so.

What do you see as the top three goals for the City of Darien?

1) Business: This means to continue to attract the right mix of businesses to Darien that either generate tax revenue, or attract businesses that are a good fit for the long term of Darien. We recently had a discussion on the city council that we need to have “set guidelines” for attracting new businesses to the city, which I am not in favor of. What I recommend we do is establish a policy that “we as a city will work with ALL new and existing businesses to create and maintain a business mix that is mutually beneficial to that business and the city”. This is important because the needs of one business are different from the next, and in order for business to remain successful, we need to look at each business individually.

2) Maintaining the infrastructure of the city: Darien was incorporated in 1969, however many of the ditches and roads built were before that year. The reality is that in any middle age city there will be infrastructure issues that will need to be addressed for now and the future. We must continue a policy of protecting and fixing infrastructure in the city of Darien for now and long term. By doing so, we will keep the long term costs low.

3) Maintaining services using the least amount of taxes: Most people look at their property tax bill and see a payment in the thousands. However, on closer look the City of Darien tax portion represents an average of 3-4%. This means on a $5000 tax bill, the average homeowner pays less than $200 to the city. The reality is that Darien has always provided the best services with the least amount of money used. We must continue to provide the excellent services the residents of Darien have come to expect at the least amount of cost.

What can be done to continue the promotion of economic development in Darien?

As stated above, we must continue to attract and retain a good mix of business throughout the city.

Is there an issue that's been discussed within the last year in Darien that you think should be revisited?

N/A

Please add any other information pertinent to your campaign.

In addition to being alderman, I am also president of the Farmingdale South Homeowners Association.

Related pages:

• Election 2013: Darien City Council
• Joseph Marchese
• Joe Kenny
• Halil Avci
• Thomas Belczak
• Jim Minardi