Politics & Government

Robert (Bob) D. Kula: Avon Township Highway Commissioner Candidate

Robert (Bob) D. Kula is one of 22 individuals seeking eight Avon Township seats.

Name: Robert (Bob) D. Kula

Age: 51

Family: Married to wife Laura for 20 years. I have a son Bobby a senior at Grayslake Central, Tony a freshman at Grayslake Central, Jessica an 8th-grader at the Grayslake Middle School, and Paul a 6th-grader at Frederick.

Education: Graduated from Grayslake Community High School 1980; Electrical certificate College of Lake County; Refrigeration and Air Conditioning certificate College of Lake County; Designated Erosion Control Inspector certified through Stormwater Management Commission; De-icing certificate through Lake County Highway Department; Traffic flagging certified

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Occupation: Currently employed at Avon Township Highway Department (29 Years)

Other community involvement: Past coach Grayslake Youth Baseball Association 5+ years; Past and returning coach girls Park District Softball; Served with the Grayslake Lions Club for 5 years; Current vice president of the Grayslake Central High school Booster Club

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Position sought: Avon Township Highway Commissioner

Campaign E-mail address:  avonstrong@aol.com

Campaign committee: Avon Strong

Campaign Website: avonstrong.org

Campaign Facebook:

Campaign Twitter:

Why are you running?

I am running for many  reasons. First, I am confident my 29 years of experience at the highway department will be a great asset to the township. Second, I see many opportunities to make the highway department stronger, more efficient, and financially responsible. Third, I have a passion for what I do. Assisting the residents through snowplowing, storm water management, road maintenance, and all other highway department activities is of great importance to me. Lastly, when I was approached by the Avon Strong team to run, I could not have been happier. I have much to offer the residents alone, but with my teams’ background and commitment to the community, running together was an easy decision.

In what ways would Avon Township benefit from your service?

My 29 years of service at Avon Township Highway Department has given me a complete working knowledge of the underground infrastructure. I know its strengths and its weaknesses. Likewise, I am the most qualified to prioritize road improvements, manage snow removal, and efficiently and financially run the highway department.

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

One challenge or better put weakness of the township is public awareness of what the township actually does. Many residents are unaware of the services that the township provides through general assistance, assistance with property tax appeals, and the functions of the highway department.

What do you think the township does well?

Candidate did not respond.

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

Outreach should be a key focus for the newly elected officials. We owe it to the residents to keep them informed, engage with them at all times regarding township business, and strive to serve the residents to the best of our abilities.

The highway department should prioritize cooperating with the surrounding villages to reduce the tax burden to the residents.

One of my most important goals will be to reduce the highway departments’ environmental impact by developing better management of de-icing materials used on the roadways.  As a highway department, we have the environmental responsibility to use de-icing materials in a way that impacts our bodies of water minimally while maintaining safe passage on streets. Likewise, better management will save significant taxpayer dollars.

What else would you like voters to know?

I have always tried to serve the residents of Avon Township to the best of my ability for the past 29 years. Avon Township is my home and has been for over 43 years. I have a passion to make Avon Township Highway Department the best that it can be. With the help of all the knowledgeable and community focused people on the Avon Strong slate, this goal is achievable.


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