Donna Wagner: 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: Round Lake ParkWebsite: http://vte2013.comOffice sought: Round Lake Park Village Board (4-year Terms)Age: 43Family: Married, one childOccupation: HousewifeEducation: High School DiplomaCivic involvement: NoneElected offices held: NoneHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: noCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Keeping our current police department and not cutting services.Key Issue 2 Developing a budget Plan.Key Issue 3 Opening the lines of communication between the village officials and residents.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I have been a resident of Round Lake Park for 43 years, I have always been interested in village affairs.I feel its time for myself to get more involved with the village. Knowing the history of the village, and listening to the concerns of my neighbors I have some ideas on how to keep Round Lake Park moving forward for the next generation to come. I can openly and honestly represent the residents best interests.Given the delicate balance between the need for revenue and over-taxing local businesses, what is your opinion of your community's present level of local sales taxes? Is the tax just right, too low or too high? Explain.Since Round Lake Park does not have home rule, our sales tax rate is set by the state of Illinois.Talking with your friends and neighbors, what seems to be their biggest public safety concern? Explain the concern as you see it, and discuss how you think it should be addressed.The biggest concern in my area of the village by my neighbors and myself are the Gang issues and the amout of foreclosed homes in the neighborhood. Gang Issues should be addressed by bringing the residence, police, and community leaders together making a united front with zero tolerence.Reaching out to the gang members by being proactive in educating them in trades as an alternative lifestyle.In these tight economic times, municipal budgets have to be prioritized. Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?I attend the monthy board meetings, and I can only answer this as follows: Our village is still in the midst of a thourgh audit, our village bills are paid up to date. I do not know of any areas in the village that are not being serviced due to a budget short fall. It would be premature for me to talk about budget trimmings until our audit is complete.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?We need to have more of an open door policy with our residents. By implimenting a "Lets Talk Program" we can reach out to every corner of our village to hear what our reidence cares and concerns are by creating a weekly or bi-weekly news letter via e-mail. We need a more informative web site and having a few town hall meetings we can bridge the communication gap and properly address our residents concerns.