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Alexander Kvasnicka: Candidate Profile

Mundelein Village Board (4-year Terms) (Independent)

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: MundeleinWebsite: https://www.facebook.com/AlexKvasnickaForTrusteeOffice sought: Mundelein Village Board (4-year Terms)Age: Candidate did not respond.Family: Single, no kidsOccupation: EngineerEducation: Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2009Civic involvement: Village Homesteading Mundelein, Board Member Mundelein Farmers Market, VolunteerElected offices held: Candidate did not respond.Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: No.Candidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Mundelein should have a proper downtown. The Village has taken great strides in starting the downtown redevelopment. I realize the efforts that have been put forth to start this project, and I will make sure it is seen through to completion.Key Issue 2 Mundelein deserves better roads. This is something that the citizens cannot do themselves; it has to be done by the Village. Road repair needs to take a higher priority in the budget, as more funds become available.Key Issue 3 Keeping taxes low for our residents. I will do everything within my power to improve Mundelein while holding the line on property tax and not introducing any new kinds of taxes.Questions Answers The village is moving ahead with plans for a municipal hub near the train station that would include a village hall, retail space and office space. What is your vision for that area and how would you fund the project?The new downtown project will serve as an example of the way forward for Mundelein. I envision this area as being a place where you would want to go to shop and eat. It should be walkable and have an energetic atmosphere. Funding for the village hall has already been secured through years of saving, as well as through tax increment financing (TIF) and leasing the second floor to Weston Solutions. In regards to new developments in this area, I believe Mundelein should consider a three-way partnership between commercial brokers, commercial property owners and the Village. This will give the Village maximal control over what goes into this newly-developed area.Talking with your friends and neighbors, what seems to be their biggest public safety concern? Explain the concern as you see it, an discuss how you think it should be addressed?Police Chief Ray Rose's efforts have kept our town safe, and I?m confident that newly-appointed Chief Eric Guenther will follow in Rose's footsteps. I will work together with our local law enforcement to ensure that all Mundelein residents feel safe within our community. The biggest concern that I have heard is that too many people are cutting through the residential areas at rush hour. This is an indication that the main roads are too congested. I commend the Village, John Lobaito and Representative Sullivan for securing the project to improve the intersection of Rt. 176 Rt. 60/83, and I will do whatever possible to support similar projects to improve traffic flow.In these tight economic times, municipal budgets have to be prioritized. Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed? Conversely, is there something that should be reinstated or have resources directed toward?In-house resurfacing of streets is something that the Village has begun doing. This has proven to be very effective in getting more pavement resurfaced at a significant cost savings. I support this practice and believe it should be done more frequently. The overall budget for roads needs to be increased. Currently, it sits at $2 million per year. I propose raising it to $2.5 million and then reassessing to see if Mundelein's needs are better served.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?Theold Walgreens? storefront on the northwest corner of Hawley St. Rt. 45 has been empty for far too long. The Village needs to communicate with the owner and find for a more advantageous use for that property. Empty storefronts do nothing for our residents.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.The sales tax in Mundelein is, in some cases, 1% higher than in neighboring municipalities. Some residents have caught onto this and will reconsider shopping in Mundelein in favor of another village, especially for big ticket items. It would be great if we could lower the tax, reverse this scenario and have the neighboring villages? residents? first choice be to shop in Mundelein.