Tom Brust: Candidate for Avon Township Highway Commissioner

Name: Tom Brust

Age: 50

Family: Married, 2 children; son, sophomore Grayslake Central daughter, 8th grader Grayslake Middle School

Education: Designated Errosion Control Inspector Certified HVAC Tech service Certified EPA Refrigerant Handler

Occupation: Avon Township Highway Commissioner and Grayslake small business owner

Previous Elected or Appointed Offices: Avon Township Highway Commissioner 2010-current

Other community involvement: Former Grayslake Park District basketball assistant coach and Former Grayslake Youth Baseball assistant coach. Assistant my wife Cindy in Grayslake Middle School 8th Grade Celebration

Position sought: Avon Township Highway Commissioner

Campaign E-mail address: Candidate did not respond.

Campaign committee: Avon Action

Campaign Website: www.avonaction.com

Campaign Facebook: www.facebook.com/avonaction

Campaign Twitter: Candidate did not respond.

Why are you running?

I ran four years ago with three prevailing objectives: 1) Lower Avon Township Levies; 2) Give back and reduce pay increases put in place by the previous administration; 3) Find effective and efficient ways to reduce costs. As I come before the voters again, I do so knowing I have kept my promises. I have put the taxpayers first and have been part of both reforming and improving township government.

In what ways would Avon Township benefit from your service?

My service as the Avon Township Highway Commissioner has proven that I can surpass the expectations of my job while bringing substantial savings. As a former employee of the Illinois Department of Transportation, I am familiar with road maintenance efficiency and insist that Highway Department is responsive.

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

I believe the township has a challenge ahead of itself on April 9th. I can honestly tell voters that I have accomplished every campaign promise I made four years ago. From lowering expenses, reducing my tax levies, and returning salary because not only did I promise to do it but more importantly, it the right thing to do. If reelected, I promise to continue the progress I’ve made in reforming the Avon Township Highway Department.

I have two opponents on April 9th and they both have expressed their desire to turn back the clock and return to excessive spending, bloated payrolls, and higher property tax levies. On April 9th, the direction of Avon Township will be decided for the next four years. We can return to higher property taxes and spending with my opponents or you can place your vote in me, a Highway Commissioner who has operated under one of the leanest budgets in Avon Township history and reduced tax levies. I humbly ask for your vote on Tuesday, April 9th.

What do you think the township does well?

While other townships have increased tax levies or kept them the same, we have consistently lowered them and cut expenses. As I mentioned, my primary job is to reduce the tax burden -- something I am very proud we have already accomplished, and strive to continue accomplishing. Like my neighbors, I want more efficient local government and lower property taxes.

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

Townships are needed in rural communities, where there is no other government to take care of roads. In Avon Township, I have worked to optimize road maintenance at the lowest possible cost. Past administrations have used the Highway Department, abusing the public trust with unneeded salary expense, inflated over time, and the purchase of property. I eliminated these abuses and lowered the levies, including the Permanent Hard Road Tax and the Road and Bridge Tax. I have worked to secure federal grants for drainage and water safety -- a new role that benefits the community without additional expense.

What else would you like voters to know?

I own and operate a local small business in Grayslake. I am an avid outdoorsman and have a true appreciation for open space.