Gina Strelecki: 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: WaucondaWebsite: http://www.facebook.com/OneWaucondaOffice sought: Wauconda Village Clerk (4-year Term)Age: 46Family: Married, two childrenOccupation: Registered Dental HygienistEducation: Bachelors of Arts, minor in Spanish, Area Certificate in Latin American and Caribbean Studies, Indiana Universiy-Bloomington, 1988 Licensed Registered Dental Hygienist, Minor Science, Indiana University-Northwest, 1998Civic involvement: Girl Scout Leader, Bylaws and Procedure Chair for North Suburban Dental Hygienists' Society, American Dental Hygienists' Association Institute for Oral Health Illinois Liaison, Transfiguration School Board memberElected offices held: NoneHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoneCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Our number one campaign issue is Transparency. It is important that residents know how their tax dollars are being collected and where their tax dollars are being spent. One Wauconda will evaluate each line item to determine if there can be a savings for the Wauconda neighbors. One Wauconda will try to develop a tax rebate program, to return excess taxes to the taxpayer.Key Issue 2 Our number two campaign issue is to reevaluate water services and its expense to the Wauconda residents. Recently, late fees were doubled from 10% to 20% and the due date has been decrease to a 14 day billing cycle. This may cause some hardships for some residents that may be trying to balance all of their expenses, or who work with a tight budget at home. Some of our seniors live on a fixed income and this may hinder their payments and cause additional fees for other expenses.Key Issue 3 Our number three campaign issue is Economic Development. One Wauconda wants to make it easier for new businesses to establish themselves in Wauconda. We want to train building and zoning clerks to walk new business through a check list before opening their businesses. Customer service will be our administrative focus. We also would like to increase Main Street parking. One Wauconda wants to create a favorable business environment by creating a Tax Incremental Financing (TIF) districts in troubled areas.Questions Answers Some communities have contracted out for certain services, such as snowplowing, to save money. What innovative methods would you propose to reduce your office's budget? Explain your answer.One Wauconda wants to evaluate the budget line by line. One Wauconda wants to develop a tax rebate program and return excess taxes to the Wauconda taxpayer.The state's revised Freedom of Information Act guidelines renewed focus on open government. Name one specific step you would take if elected to increase government transparency in your office.One Wauconda will review each expense through the eyes of our Wauconda neighbors by providing them with sample surveys opportunities electronically, by form and through focus groups.Do you believe the village clerk should be an elected or appointed position? Please explain your answer.I believe the Village Clerk should be an elected position. It is important that the Wauconda residents are trusted with someone who is interested and willing to do the job correctly for their community. It is important for them to have a vote.What steps would you take as village clerk to improve and increase the flow of information to residents?One step is to promptly relay Board meetings minutes to Wauconda residents. Not everyone can attend the monthly meetings. This can be done thought the Village website.If you are a newcomer, what prompted you to run for village clerk? If you're an incumbent, list your accomplishments or key initiatives in which you played a leadership role.A am a newcomer and a Wauconda resident. I care about our community because I am their neighbor. I would like to stop our residents and businesses from struggling financially. I think that it is important to listen to our residents and businesses concerns. If there is anything we can do to help decrease their financial strain, we would like to try.