Steven Mokry: Candidate Profile

Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioKey IssuesQA Bio City: Des PlainesWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Des Plaines City Council Ward 1 (4-year Term)Age: 53Family: Married, wife DonnaOccupation: Union Construction Laborer, Laborers Local 118Education: 1977 High School Grad. Forest View High School Oakton Community College, 2-3 years - no DegreeCivic involvement: Current Trustee, Board member of the Des Plaines Public LibraryElected offices held: Candidate did not respond.Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 To represent all of citizens of the 1st Ward.Key Issue 2 Candidate did not respond.Key Issue 3 Candidate did not respond.Questions Answers There's been talk about using casino revenue to update the city's infrastructure. Where is that money most urgently needed?To work closely with the Army Corps Engineers, and all State Agencys, to eliminate the high cost of Flood Insurance Premiums for the residents of Des Plaines. Also pay down some of the long-term debt.What can be done to fill vacancies and draw new businesses to the downtown area? Be as specific as possible.Unfortunately very little. These vacant store fronts are becoming a tarnished opportunity, even for the existing businesses. Some of the Metropolitan Square Development is becoming past it's point of no return. It's a bitter pill to swallow, but it may very well be the truth. As far as the Downtown Business District goes, residents from all over the city have told me, they have no reason to go downtown, other than the Library. If we don't get more demand, and volume of people and spending, I believe other business's will suffer soon.What is the biggest issue facing Des Plaines at present, and what are your thoughts on it?That Des Plaines and other towns won't be able to work thru there troubles, because the State of Illinois is the worst financial shape in the nation.Given the delicate balance between the need for revenue and over-taxing local businesses, what is your opinion of Des Plaines' present level of local sales taxes? Is the tax just right, too low or too high? Explain.Revenue is correlated with the number of customers/volume. Without actually knowing what the taxes are for business, I would rather see lower taxes, especially if it increased revenue and volume of shoppers/customers. We as a city would be able to do far more, if we had more demand for our goods, service's and destination.What are the city's biggest public safety concerns? Explain the concern as you see it, and discuss how you think it should be addressed.I was part of a Gang Seminar in Maine Township, it was hosted by Trustee Laura Morask that included Police Chiefs, Cook County State Attorney, School Boards, and other Agencys. I represented the Des Plaines Public Library, speaking that the Library has a viable alternatives and programing to keep some of these gang members off the streets, and better choices than gang life. Gang life is becoming more of a problem in some area's and schools.