Crown Point City Council, at large

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Updated: May 2, 2011 11:11AM

Name: James A. Cuffia

Home town: Crown Point

Occupation: Civil/structural engineer

Office sought: Crown Point Common Council, at large; Republican

Website or other social media link: N/A

Have you ever been elected to public office? No

Limited only to the office you are seeking, where specifically would you cut budgets if needed?

Develop and implement long- and short-term strategic and tactical plans that refocus and re-balance public safety and critical services to meet the needs of the current Crown Point population.

Why are you running for public office? Why do you think you can make a difference in your community?

In November of 2010, Crown Point voters overwhelmingly indicated that they do not want Lake County pay-to-pay politics. I have fought and will continue to fight to remove such influences and, in these difficult financial times,

restore limited government focused upon essential services.

How would you balance serving your residents with serving the best interests of your city?

Serving the residents of Crown Point and the best interests of the city are one and the same. As existing residents and businesses grow safer and more effective in their daily endeavors, Crown Point will become more attractive to all.

How can local cities and towns work together to improve the entire area, rather than just do what’s best for themselves?

Focusing upon the best interests of Crown Point, in and of itself, strengthens the entire area by providing leadership and competition, thus driving other communities to become better.

How can more jobs be attracted to the region?

Rid the Region of pay-to-play politics that have become the norm. Businesses have no desire to pay politicians or their proxies to expand or locate in Lake County. There are too many other locations where there is no pay-to-play.

How do you view the work so far of the men and women elected to public office who have embraced the national Tea Party? Have they been effective or have they furthered a national polarization among the electorate?

The Tea Party movement is merely a reflection of the national disgust with Chicago-style pay-to-play politics. We in the Region are accustomed to one-party political corruption because we live with it every day. The rest of the United States of America does not and has no desire to do so.

Should Lake County impose an income tax, becoming the last of Indiana’s counties to do so? Why or why not?

Absolutely not. We are taxed enough already and that is exactly why Republicans now run the Lake County Assessor’s office and represent two Lake County Council seats instead of just the one a year ago.