Election 2011: Matt Brolley

Editor's Note: This is the second in a series of profiles on the seven candidates for Montgomery Village Board. Each candidate had the opportunity to answer the same questions, but were asked to abide by a 75-word guideline. The answers will be provided here unabridged.

• Position sought: Village Trustee
  Website: www.Brolley4Montgomery.com
• E-mail address: matt@brolley4montgomery.com
• Phone: 630-340-4552

• Age: 29

• Family: Rosa Brolley, wife, 27 yrs old, pregnant with our 2nd child due this summer. We also have a 1 year old son.
• Length of Residence: Lifelong Montgomery resident.

• Education: Oswego High School Graduate, 2000; BA in Physics from North Central College in Naperville, IL, 2004; BS in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois at Chicago, 2005.

• Occupation: I am currently an Illinois licensed Professional Engineer and Certified Floodplain Manager with Koziol Engineering Services in Lisle.

• Political party affiliation: The Village of Montgomery is a non-partisan position. I am not formally (or informally) associated with any political party.

• Previous elected offices: None.

• Related experience: My professional career has sent me to many of the local Plan Commissions and Village Boards. I have seen communities that run very effectively, and I have seen those that have not. Also, as a Civil Engineer, I have experience in planning new developments that meets the local requirements while trying to exceed the needs of the client. Thus, I bring to the table a common sense approach to future development. Also, I serve as the Chairman of the Village Plan Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals. I am deeply involved in this community. I have volunteered my time for the planning and implementation of many Montgomery events/programs: I ran the Village Blood Drive for the past two years. I volunteered as the Montgomery Fest Emcee this past year. I serve on the Montgomery Chamber Board of Directors and currently Chair the Chamber Golf Outing and ‘Shoot for the Loot’ (the $17,500 shot at Montgomery Fest). I have previously chaired the Montgomery Candidate Forum in 2009. I am also an active member of the Kendall County Planning Consortium. Lastly, I am not new to Montgomery. I grew up here, and decided to raise my own family here.

What is the primary reason you are running for this office?

We need new blood on the Montgomery Board. Our residents deserve elected
officials that are focused on the future of the village, not fixed in the ways of the past. If elected, I plan to be that voice that will put all valid concerns on the table to not only ensure that the village continues to provide the current services but to better adapt village services to the vastly different population of today.

What will be your single most important priority if you get elected?

We must be more Business and Resident friendly.  These times are tough for everyone so we need to do what we can to keep our stores open and people in their homes.  I’m proposing that the Village reevaluate all Village Rules and Regulations, and remove anything that doesn’t fit with our long term vision for the future.  We need to also better educate and inform our Businesses and Residents of the policies in force.

What sets you apart from the other candidates?

I feel that everything stated above sets me apart. I am the home grown candidate, who has a deep understand for our local government. Additionally, I am the level headed voice of reason. My approach as an engineer is to actually solve problems, not create them or stir up controversy.

What's your favorite thing about the village of Montgomery?

It’s very easy to give the typical answer to this question that I love the small town atmosphere/river community. So I won’t. To be honest, I’m deeply rooted in this community. The people that I love are here, along with my childhood memories. As a result, Rosa and I have committed to raising our family here. So naturally, I want the best for my son in this community.

What is the biggest problem in Montgomery?

The most significant issue facing the village is lack of funding for capital projects. These funds are constantly needed to resurface deteriorating roadways, replace high mileage patrol cars, aging snow plows, and obsolete leaf vacuums. If this issue is not addressed it could lead to unprecedented costs to the village or a loss of services for our residents. We can cover these expenses without raising taxes, by bringing more commercial business to Montgomery.