Meet the Candidate: Tim Kolber

Editor's note --This is the second in a series of profiles of candidates for Buffalo Grove Village Board positions.  Candidates for Village Trustee will be featured first followed by candidates for Village President. All candidates received the same questionnaire.  Their answers appear verbatim without any added editorial comments or interpretation. This is done so readers can read direct answers from each candidate.  Profiles will be posted in alphabetical order.

  --- Stan Zoller, Content Coordinator, Buffalo Grove News and Information.

Candidate's name 

Tim Kobler

Candidate for:

Village Board Trustee

How long have you lived in Buffalo Grove? 

18 years

Please provide brief background information. 

My wife Chrissy and I have lived in Buffalo Grove for 18 years and are raising our two sons who attend Stevenson High School and Twin Groves Middle School. We are also members of Saint Mary Parish in Buffalo Grove. I have volunteered as a youth soccer coach for the park district for seven years. I am currently a police officer serving with my suburban police department for over 20 years. During the course of my law enforcement career I have served as a Detective, Field Training Officer, and now a Sergeant. I have been honored to receive the Award of Valor from the 100 Club of DuPage County, the Law Enforcement Award from the Illinois State Bar Association and received three Meritorious Service Awards for going above and beyond the call of duty.

Have you served on a village committee or commission before? If yes, which one and how long did you serve? 

I have not served on any committee or commission within the Village of Buffalo Grove. However, I am a certified pension trustee and have served as a pension trustee for over 10 years. I am currently the Vice-President of a police pension fund governed under Article 3 of the Illinois Pension Code. The fund is over $20 million and is over 70% funded. I also serve as the Chairman of the Board for the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council. A law enforcement union representing over 12,000 professionals who work in the criminal justice field throughout the State. Our members are Municipal Police Officers, County Sheriff’s Deputies, University Police Officers, County Correctional Officers, Court Security Officers, Probation Officers, 911 Telecommunicators, Records Personnel, and other Support Staff. I am an active member of the Fraternal Order of Police and serve as a part of the Executive Board for the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police State Lodge. The Fraternal Order of Police, founded in 1915, is the largest organization of sworn law-enforcement officers in the United States. With a proud tradition of officers representing Officers, the Fraternal Order of Police is the most respected and most recognize police organization in the country. The Illinois Fraternal Order of Police State Lodge, chartered in 1963, is the second largest State Lodge, proudly representing more than 32,000 active duty and retired police officer‘s - more than 10% of all Fraternal Order of Police members nationwide.

What other civic activities, if any, have you been involved with? 

I have volunteered as a youth soccer coach for the park district for seven years. While coaching, I was awarded the Fred Bernstein Memorial Coaches Award recognizing outstanding service, leadership, dedication, and fairness to all in making a difference in the lives of the youths of Buffalo Grove. The last 11 years I have participated and helped plan an annual St. Baldrick’s event. The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a volunteer powered charity committed to funding the most promising research to find cures for childhood cancers and give survivors long, healthy lives. I am proud that over the past 10 years this annual event has raised approximately $900,000 for children’s cancer research.

Why are you running for a Village Board position? 

Buffalo Grove is a great place to live. It is great because it’s made up of many things when put together, such as its parks, schools, and along with its diversity it is one of the best communities to live in and raise a family. I am running for Trustee to protect those things such as our green spaces. Through smart growth and redevelopment of parts of the Village we will be able to continue to live a wonderful community.

In general, what do you see as the most pressing issues facing Buffalo Grove? 

I see the most pressing issue would be the redevelopment of the town center along with Dundee Road.

There has been considerable discussion for years about economic development in the village. What kind of economic development (retail, commercial, industrial) do you think should be a priority and why? 

Out of the three I think retail development should take first priority. Followed by commercial and then industrial. Currently our industrial area is doing well and can help spur development in our commercial and retail areas. If we prioritize retail not only will we provide opportunities for our residents to shop, dining, and entertainment but also those who work in the Village everyday as well. With strong retail areas businesses will want to locate to Buffalo Grove for the easily accessible retail to offer their employees.

Which business development plan do you think should be a priority? Lake-Cook Road corridor, Dundee Road, Milwaukee Avenue or the Prairie View concept? 

Having to pick one I would make Prairie View concept the priority as it seems to have willing partners. Having said that, I do believe that we have the capability to and should be doing more than just one of these projects at a time.

How do you think the village should encourage redevelopment of existing retail areas that are struggling? 

I think the village can encourage redevelopment of existing retail areas by assisting in creating partnerships with the current owners and those who wish to redevelop the property. 

Should the village limit development to preserve green space? 

Yes, the village should limit development to preserve green spaces. Many residents have located to Buffalo Grove due to the schools, public safety, and the many great green spaces the village has to offer.

Some of our volunteer groups (commissions, committees) have seen shrinking membership. What would you do to engage the community on a broader scale? What would you do to encourage broader demographic participation? 

In today’s world it is difficult to find extra time. I would encourage our residents to participate by explaining the importance of the work as well as the time commitment. One of Buffalo Grove’s greatest assets is its diversity. As Trustee I would make every attempt to engage as many residents as possible to participate in their local government.

There is a proposal to add a "Community Engagement Director" to the village staff. Do you think it is needed? Explain why or why not. 

I think communication with the residents is very important and I am open to working with the staff and the board to figure out the most efficient way to do so.

Do you think the Village communicates well with residents? If not, how can it be improved? 

The village does well communicating with the residence in certain area. A complete review should be done to ensure that we are maximizing our abilities.

Final thoughts -- Add any information or comments about your candidacy. 

My priorities will be smart development projects that will revitalize our community and broaden our tax base, protect our green spaces against misguided development that will increase traffic congestion and increase risk of flooding, and keeping our community safe by maintaining Buffalo Groves, world class police and fire services.