Supervisor SpotLight 

As     Sterling     Township     Supervisor,     I     have     a responsibility      to      support   and   represent   everyone within    Sterling    Township    as    we    move    forward together.   Let   me   start   by   saying,   I   was   born   and   raised   in Sterling,    and    I’ve    been    a    respected    citizen    for many   years.      I’m   one   of   8   children   with   exemplary upbringing    by    my    parents,    Frank    Harts    Sr.    and Bobbie      Mae      Harts,      which      allowed      me      to understand    the    needs    of    this    great    community from   a   firsthand   view.      I   do   have   a   heart   for   the Sterling     Community,     especially     for     those     less fortunate. In    the    past,    I    have    been    a    foster    and    adoptive parent   for   many   children,      and   I’ve   adopted   6   of my   own,   attended   Northern   IL   University,   served   4 years   in   the   United   States   Air   Force,      produced   a music   CD   album,   written   a   book   on   the   lives   of   my parents,   and   traveled   throughout   the   country,   but Sterling Illinois will always be my home. While    I    believe    in    creating    opportunities    which allow   those   in   need   to   “Aim   High”   I’d   like   to   be instrumental   in   giving   them   a   hand   up,   and   not just   a   hand   out.      While   this   takes   more   effort   on the   part   of   both   the   givers   and   receivers,   I   believe it builds a stronger community for the long term. The   3   main   lawful   requirements      of   a   Township are: To   maintain   the   roads   and   bridges   outside   of   the City limits To   provide   general   assistance   to   the   indigent   and poor To   assess   the   real   value   of   properties   within   the Township There   are   no   better   Staff   than   who   we   have   in place right now to carry out these duties. My current goals include: Financial   Stability   and   Accountability    –   To   have procedures    and    controls    in    place    for    money handling    complete    with    checks    and    balances, spending        controls        and        monitoring,        and accountability     for     staff,     such     as     background checks   and   drug   screening.      We   have   made   many other   improvements   within   the   Township   to   make sure we are lawfully sound. Community    communication     –    Aside    from    the community’s   welcomed   involvement   in   the   twice monthly   Township   board   meetings,   I   will   seek   to engage    the    greater    community    through    other modes.      While   every   idea   or   suggestion   cannot   be implemented,   serious   consideration   will   be   given to the voices of the people of Sterling Township. Youth   Services    –   Positive   support   for   the   youth of   our   community.         If   we   invest   in   our   youth   now, and    encourage    them,    train    them,    and    mentor them     into     being     productive     and     participating members    of    society,    perhaps    they    won’t    repeat the   errs   of   the   ways   of   preceding   adults   in   their lives. Townships   have   the   latitude   to   create   programs   to better   the   lives   of   their   citizens.      I   have   a   vision   of helping   adults   who   are   currently   unable   to   take care    of    their    basic    needs    while    simultaneously mentoring    our    youth    so    they    can    flourish    and become   contributing   members   of   our   Township.     This   will   reduce   the   need   for   general   assistance thereby   streamlining   our   Township   in   the   future and reducing taxes. In   closing,   I   believe   we   are   stronger   when   we   work together.      Community   collaboration   is   imperative.     When        our        Township        facilitates        ongoing collaboration    between    education,    business,    and organizations   in   our   community,   everybody   wins.     I    have    spent    much    of    the    five    years    of    my employment     with     Sterling     Township     building relationships      and      collaborating      within      this community, and I plan to continue.

Theodore Harts Supervisor

815.625.3990 ext 105

supervisor@sterlingtownship.com