OC Register Candidate Questionnaire

By Chad Wanke

This is a copy of my responses to the the OC Register's candidate questionnaire.

Name: Chad Wanke

Party: Republican

Date of birth: 39 years old, Born in 1971

City of residence: Placentia

Occupation: President of Orbis Capital, Inc. -Financial and Real Estate services.

Partner- Third Encore, Sound Studio Development, Operation and Management.

Family: Married 11 years, two children Finn 3 and Elise born August 30th, 2010.

Education: Cal State Fullerton- Bachelors degree in Geography, minor in Anthropology- 2000 City of Placentia- CERT Training Certificate (Community Emergency Response Team) - 2009

Experience: City Treasurer- City of Placentia, 2008- present

Treasurer -Placentia Public Finance Authority- 2008- present

Member- Placentia Finance and Investment Committee

Director/ Treasurer- Placentia Chamber of Commerce

Director/ Treasurer- Placentia Community Foundation

Director- Fullerton College Foundation

Academy Member- Orange County Music Awards

Website: http://www.chadwanke.com

QUESTIONS- 75 words or less:

1. How would you trim your city's budget to minimize the impact of revenue lost to the recession or state budget crisis?

First by analyzing each department and reducing personnel in areas that are overstaffed or no longer needed. Second by combining programs and services that overlap or are underutilized. Third by eliminating programs that mimic those already provided by the County, State, non-profits or other entities. Fourth by working with local organizations such as the Placentia Community Foundation, Rotary Club, Women's Roundtable, Downtown Merchants Association and Chamber of Commerce to fund special events.

2 How would you approach future budget priorities given Placentia's slim-to-none reserves?

Public safety is the main purpose of government, so my first priority is ensuring that the people of Placentia are safe by adequately funding our Police, Fire and Emergency services. Safety also means ensuring that our roads are in good condition, our traffic signals work and our infrastructure is maintained so funding the Public Works department is critical to maintaining our way of life.

3. Looking forward, how do you re-energize downtown redevelopment efforts and what would be the priorities?

People need a reason to go downtown. Businesses would benefit greatly by being allowed to feature live music, happy hours and other special events. If elected I will push to cut through the red tape and provide an efficient way for businesses to get the necessary licenses and approvals. Priorities are getting the bridge elevators operating full time and providing adequate parking by paving the city owned vacant lot on Main Street.

4. Are police services in your community adequate to meet local needs? If so, what characterizes their effectiveness? If not, how should they be improved and where should the funding come from?

Our PD does a great job but no, our resources are not currently adequate. We need more officers on patrol to deal with the challenges Placentia faces. Basic funding for these services should come from the general fund, additional funding can come from hiring a full time grant writer, or a grant writing service to maximize those sources and by providing services such as impound, storage, dispatch and 911 services to surrounding communities.

5. What are the skills, qualities or accomplishments that make you the best person for this job?

I am very active in our community and I understand Placentia's needs. We need a City Council that will be fiscally responsible because without money the City can't provide any services. As City Treasurer I have a better understanding of the city's financial situation than any of the other candidates. As a businessman I understand how to develop and work within a budget, identify needs, and get those needs met quickly, efficiently and honestly.

6. What two promises are you willing to make? On what are you unwilling to compromise? Be specific and concrete.

Transparency- I promise to give the public access to all information not restricted by law. The people have a right to know what their government is doing. Representation- I promise to meet the people's needs and not the needs of special interest groups or other entrenched parties.

I will not compromise on requiring staff/ elected compensation to be clearly posted on Placentia's website including position, name, status (full/part time), salary, pension, benefits and total compensation.