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Name: Gregg Hanson
Age: 57
Town: Woodstock
Office sought: Woodstock Mayor
1) What skills, qualities or experience do you possess that separate you from your opponents?
I am a small business owner in the City of Woodstock and in no way consider myself to be a politician. Small business owners, like myself, must constantly adapt and change to stay competitive. We are always looking to find ways to turn the unexpected into an opportunity for growth. Fresh eyes and a new and different perspective along with my small business skills is what I will bring to the office of the mayor.
2) What can the City of Woodstock do and what should it do to ease the property tax burden on homeowners?
The current city council recently cut the city’s property tax levy by 10%. This is more of a symbolic cut than relief for residents who feel burdened with stagnant home values and high property taxes. All the revenues lost by this cut will have to be made up with an increase in sales and use taxes but those decisions have been delayed until after the election.
Regardless, it is the taxpayer, including homeowners, who will shoulder the burden. Economic growth and the expansion of our tax base is the only way we can provide true property tax relief.
3) How would you describe the climate in Woodstock's city government for businesses? What needs improvement? What's working?
I am not encouraged by the current business climate in Woodstock. The City of Woodstock has seen a significant attrition of large and small businesses. At the same time, we are not attracting many new businesses. Is it the taxes, demographics, labor supply, incentive packages, crumbling infrastructure, or a combination of all these things prohibiting new businesses from locating here? The City of Woodstock has rolled out a new marketing program, enterprise zone, and a business incentive package in an effort to make the city an attractive place for businesses to locate. To date, these efforts have not yielded many results so can they really be called successful? If I was elected mayor, I would focus my energies on innovation, incubation, and retention of business.
4) What will be the biggest challenge that Woodstock residents and their village government will face over the next four years and how will you meet it?
Preparation for whatever fiscal reality you have to face will be the biggest challenge for both the City of Woodstock and its residents. Luckily, ideas abound even when resources are limited. So you really have to be smart, figure out what you really want to do and how to do it right.
5) Should the City of Woodstock maintain ownership of the old courthouse? Why or why not?
Yes, the City of Woodstock should maintain ownership of the Old Courthouse. Local government has a responsibility and obligation to preserve important elements of the City's history. That being said, the City must find a way to make the building financially viable. Five years without a plan or path forward is unacceptable.
6) What do you expect to change about Woodstock by the end of your term?
I am hoping to achieve greater connectivity between city government and the residents we serve. When almost 90% of our registered voters opt out of the process, we need to ask why and what we can do as elected officials to engage and encourage their participation. We need everyone “all in” to drive change in Woodstock.