Election 2013: Robert "Bob" Barnett

Robert "Bob" Barnett is one of six candidates running for the Downers Grove Village Council in the 2013 election. Barnett, 43, is currently in his first term as a village commissioner. He owns and operates the Joliet-based BarnettBates Corporation.

Name: Robert "Bob" Barnett

Position sought: Commissioner, Downers Grove Village Council

Age: 43

Campaign website: www.barnettforcouncil.com

Campaign email address: barnettforcouncil@gmail.com

Family (name, relationship and age): Wife, Cary, 42; children, Bobby, Ana and Will

Education (degree and school): Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Evansville in Evansville, IN; MBA from the Keller Graduate School of Management in Downers Grove

Occupation: Owner of BarnettBates Corporation in Joliet, IL. BarnettBates Corporation is a family-owned manufacturing firm. Started in 1926, it was purchased by the Barnett family in 1976. The company manufactures steel and aluminum bar grating, architectural fencing and gates, sun and sight control elements, and security grilles.

Previous elected offices: Current commissioner on the Downers Grove Village Council; Downers Grove Township Republican Committeeman, 8th Precinct

Applicable experience qualifying you for the position: 

• Downers Grove Village Council: 2009 – present
• Downers Grove Storm Water and Floodplain Oversight Committee: 2008
• Downers Grove Liquor Commission: 2002–2008
• Downers Grove Citizen Summit: 2007, 2008
• Grove Foundation: 2002–2006
• Downers Grove Community Outdoor Pool Advisory Committee: 2001
• Immanuel Lutheran Church Congregation Chairman: 2004–2010
• Immanuel Lutheran Church Board of Elders: 2000–2004
• Zion Lutheran Church and School Board of Trustees Chairman: 1992–1999
• Downers Grove Youth Baseball Coach: 2004, 2007 – present
• Clarendon Hills Little League Baseball Coach: 1987–1992
• BarnettBates Corporation: 1993 – present 
• Commonwealth Edison, Chicago: 1991–1993 (As a plant efficiency engineer at Fisk Generating station, I led several quality and energy conservation initiativesm which were subsequently employed system-wide.)
• Lindley & Sons, Hinsdale: 1985–1989 (Lindley & Sons—later sold to Manhard Consulting—was a civil engineering and landscape architecture firm specializing in storm water control andmanagement design. We served as contract engineers for several municipalities, including Hinsdale, Darien, Lisle and Naperville.)

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

Public service is a virtue and I believe in service to my community. Each community—whether it be a church, club, village, state or nation—is best served when each finds a way to contribute to the whole.

Four years ago as I campaigned for village council, we talked about a village with a bright future that faced serious economic uncertainty. I urged that a community with frugal, prudent decision making would thrive. And we have!
I want to continue to be part of the team that leads our village—to continue our progress ensuring a local government that is practical, effective, and provides quality services and real value and remains committed to reflecting the values and priorities of our residents.

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

My priority remains consistent. Today's local government demands a focus on customer service and lean principles, both of which are part of my daily life as a small business owner. It is an obligation of our elected officials to function as stewards of the public trust and public treasures. It is our responsibility to continually look for ways of providing better quality service while reducing cost—things we've done more successfully in Downers Grove over the last four years.

Thus my single most important priority is ensuring high quality, predictable and sustainable basic government services and providing for the long-range planning and stewardship particularly necessary given the uncertainty of both the economy and our state.

What sets you apart from the other candidates? 

My small business experience and council experience applying "Lean" principles are unique. Professionally, I am head of production operations at BarnettBates Corporation. I earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Evansville and a Master of Business Administration from Keller Graduate School of Management.

Any representative government is best equipped if it represents a cross-section of the community it serves. My unique experiences as an employer and manufacturer in Illinois today—one that embraces Lean and survives on customer service—has been, and will continue to be invaluable to our village as we must continuously pursue excellence while maintaining responsible fiscal policies. Doing more with less is not a slogan—it's a necessity. 

How long have you lived in Downers Grove and/or been active in local issues? 

After growing up in Clarendon Hills and living briefly in Westmont, my wife and I moved to Downers Grove in 1998. Prior to serving on the village council, my service to the village included the Downers Grove Park District Outdoor Pool Advisory Committee from 2001 to 2002, the Downers Grove Liquor Commission from 2002 to 2008, and the Stormwater and Flood Plain Oversight Committee in 2008.

I believe community service means more than government service. Previously, I've volunteered with the Grove Foundation from 2002 to 2006. From 2000 to 2010, I also served on the Board of Elders and as the Congregation President at Immanuel Lutheran Church. In addition, our family is part of the Yomechas Indian Princesses/Guides Program and I've coached youth baseball for over 10 years.

What's your favorite thing about Downers Grove? 

Our neighborhoods. The closeness that's formed through our distinct neighborhoods and the way those areas connect through parks and schools creates a community that has a small town feel. People know and genuinely care about one another, which we see demonstrated time and again when we lend a hand to one another.

At the same time, the BNSF line and our proximity to both airports and the city leaves us wanting for nothing urban. We really are fortunate and the opportunities for continued improvement and progress ahead of us are without limit.

What is the biggest challenge facing Downers Grove?

The biggest challenge facing Downers Grove is rising costs and uncertain resources. While it may come as a surprise to some, the majority of the resources required to provide public services do not come from property taxes.

Thus a continuation of our commitment to Lean principles and an accelerated effort to identify and capitalize on reducing the cost of local government—such as our Westmont 911/Dispatch Operations consolidation—are necessary going forward.

Economic development will continue to play a key role in defining the success of our village. Every sales tax dollar we are able to generate reduces our reliance on property taxes—and on the state.

Additionally, opportunities to innovate, such as our electric aggregation agreement with the village of Westmont, must be sought out and seized upon.

Our commitment to top quality basic services—infrastructure and public safety—must never waiver. We must continue to prioritize the issues of sustainability, predictability and quality of service. The general economy combined with the financial condition of both state and federal governments pose real threats to our ability to deliver those services but calm, focused diligent leadership can, and will produce positive results.

Related Pages:

• Election 2013: Downers Grove Village Council 
• Election 2013: Marilyn J. Schnell
• Election 2013: David S. Olsen
• Election 2013: Susan Walaszek
• Election 2013: Don Jankowski
• Election 2013: Greg Hosé

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