Howard Katz

Demographics

Independent

Not available

Not available

On the Record

What experiences do you have that make you a good candidate for office?

I have previously served Township Government as both Clerk and Trustee of Batavia Township, and currently serve as the President of the Township’s 708 Mental Health Tax Board. I have attended all meetings of the Township Board, except 3, in the past 10 years. I currently work as a General Assistance Caseworker for Township Gov’t--a function of Twp. as mandated by State statute. I am familiar with, and actively involved with governance of Township affairs.

What are your top two or three priorities if elected?

Making sure that the Township budget continues to be balanced, and helping expand Township services to help those members of our community who need them--support of senior and youth services as an example.

Would you support freezing your taxing district’s levy until housing prices rebound? Why or why not?

The levy is set based on a multi-year cycle and freezing it would not work, since housing price rebound would not affect the current or soon-to-be-current levy. This would only be feasible if housing prices had an immediate effect on the levy.

What one decision by the township board do you most disagree with and why?

some environmental processes that have been paid for cannot be shown to have been effective, since they can only be worked with negative results. The funding of these seems to not be the best use of Twp. funds.

What was the biggest accomplishment of the board in the past year?

Better communications between the Board and the community.

Why should voters elect you to office?

I bring experience and the ability to work for all residents in making sure that the Board represents everyone. I know that Twp. gov’t is the level that actually is closest to individual electors. I’m running as an independent because I believe there isn’t a partisan way to do Twp. Gov’t--we represent the people, and as stated, having held multiple offices for the Twp. I can best serve them.

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