James P. DeNomie: Candidate for Avon Township Highway Commissioner

Name: James P. DeNomie

Age: 69

Family: Reside with Barbara in Hainesville/Avon Township for the past 12 years. Two adult Children, three Grandchildren

Education: BS: Mass Communication–Radio/TV/Film, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Certification: State of Illinois, Trainer of Trainers–Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago.

Occupation: Retired. First half of professional career spent in Marketing & Advertising Industry. Second half of professional career spent applying professional skills to not-for-profit, governmental and Native American organizations.

Previous Elected or Appointed Offices: Commissioner, City of Milwaukee, Civil Service Commission (2 Years), Commissioner, City of Milwaukee, Board of Zoning Appeals (3 Years). Deputy Director, City of Milwaukee, Office of Telecommunications-cable TV regulatory office (2 Years). Contract with Colorado Department of Transportation while working at the University of Colorado-Boulder Campus (2 years).

Other community involvement: Member, Hainesville Woodlands-Open Space-Wetlands (WOW) Committee. Hainesville Great Age Club. President, Mitchell Museum of the American Indian, Evanston, IL.  Chairman, International Institute of Wisconsin, Milwaukee WI. Host/Producer of Voices From the Circle, Native American Radio program airing on Native Voice One-The Native American Radio Service.

Former member United Steel Workers of America, as well as the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen.

Position sought: Avon Township Highway Commissioner.

Campaign E-mail address: Avonindependent2013@gmail.com

Campaign committee: Friends of Avon Independents

Campaign Website: www.Avonindependent.com

Campaign Facebook: facebook.com/Avonindependent2013

Campaign Twitter: Candidate did not respond.

Why are you running?

1. Stabilize Avon Township management & departments…all of which have seen 100% attrition within the past four years.

2. Implement a sound financial ledger system as opposed to the confusing hi-bred Accrual/Cash system now in place.  

3. Improve communication of Township services available to all 65,000 Avon residents especially the Highway Department and its services in unincorporated areas of the Township.

In what ways would Avon Township benefit from your service?

I possess Strong skills in Planning, Budgeting & Implementation of Action Plans in the for-profit, not-for-profit and government arenas. Both NFP’s I Chair finished 2012 in the Black. As a retired person, blessed with good health, I can provide a true full-time effort in the position of the Avon Township Highway Commissioner.

What is the biggest challenge the township faces and what should be done to address it?

Development of a strong strategic plan conducted in harmony with all seven municipalities within the Township. The plan should address the needs of township citizens and fine-tuning of services designed to fulfill their needs on a short and long term basis.

What do you think the township does well?

Most admirable would be the Avon Township Food Bank. Recent economic conditions have increased the number of Avon Residents in need and thus the increased need for our food bank. It has done so exceedingly well. Barbara and I contribute regularly from produce we grow in our Avon Garden Plot.  

What should be some of the township's priorities over the next several years?

Exploring ways to combine efforts on all program levels within local, county, state and federal governmental agencies resulting in a more efficient and responsive township.   

What else would you like voters to know?

To date, I have met with Illinois Department of Transportation, Lake County Storm Water Management Commission and Emergency Management Agency representatives to determine availability of grants and explore best practices that can be shared between us.  

My Great Grandfather served as the First Highway Commissioner of Baraga County Michigan. My Grandfather cut the path through the Upper Michigan forest and helped lay the first road to the original Ford Manufacturing Plant.

Underlying all my actions is the desire to treat all my fellow Avon citizens respectfully and with dignity.