Stanley Borys: Candidate Profile

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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:BioQA Bio City: Long GroveWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Long Grove Village Board Age: 64Family: Married to Courtney Wolfe. Four children: Jessica (36--Architect), Rebecca (35--Exercise Physiologist), Sarah (33--Electrical Engineer), and Benjamin (29--U.S. Army Captain/two deployments in Afghanistan). One granddaughter: Skylar (2--cute as a button...really).Occupation: Retired; previously CEO Chairman International Titanium Powder, LLC; also Executive VP and COO GTIEducation: BSME Bradley University 1972, Summa Cum Laude; M.S. Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, University of Illinois 1974, Champaign, University Fellow; Masters of Business Administration University of Chicago 1980, Dual concentrations in Economics and Corporate Finance; Gamma of Illinois, Beta Gamma SigmaCivic involvement: Past/current involvement includes: St. Raphael School Board, Naperville; Strategic Planning Committee, DuPage/West Cook Regional Special Education Association; Executive Advisory Committee, Bradley University College of Engineering; Industrial Advisory Board, University of Illinois Chicago, College of Engineering; Board of Directors and Supervisory Committee, Argonne Credit Union; Member, Congressman Harris Fawell's Science and Technology Advisory Committee; USSF National Coaching License and Instructor, Youth Soccer Coaches Training, Naperville Park District and Aurora Park District; Motorcycle Safety Foundation Instructor; Harley Davidson Rider's Edge Instructor; Ride Captain Region I, Illinois Patriot Guard; Head Road Captain/Director Palatine Harley Owners Group. American Motorcycle Association Track Racing Referee.Elected offices held: Trustee, Village of Long GroveQuestions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?First of all, I couldn't be more pleased about running as a slate with Bill Jacob and Mike Sarlitto, two very principled and passionate individuals. Although the three of us are diverse in terms of geographic location in the Village, private vs. public subdivisions, and business experiences, our exploratory discussions have firmly convinced me that we will be successful in developing and implementing solutions that unite, not divide, Long Grove. My professional experience spans nearly three decades of leading technology development and commercialization efforts, from small business start-ups to joint ventures valued in the hundreds of millions of dollars with major international firms. My positions have included CEO and Chairman of the Board of International Titanium Powder, LLC, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of Gas Technology Institute, and Director, Industrial Technology Development Center at Argonne National Laboratory. In addition, I have served on the board of directors and as chairman of the board of more than a dozen start-up companies. I have been successful in business largely because of the ability to be inclusive of all stakeholders and develop win-win solutions. These are skills that the Long Grove Board of Trustees desperately needs.What is your opinion of video gambling in Long Grove? As a trustee would you actively seek to repeal gambling, expand it, or leave it alone for now? Explain your thinking.Personally, I fail to see the attraction of gambling and do not see it as either a short-term remedy or a long-term solution for the economic ills of downtown Long Grove. For me, the presence of video gambling is actually a reason NOT to frequent an establishment. On the other hand, I am also philosophically opposed to governments attempting to regulate matters of personal choice. Long Grove currently has a temporary trial period for video gambling. We need to let that run its course and then make a dispassionate assessment of whether video gambling is a net plus or minus for the community.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?Residents of Long Grove were very wise to reject the real estate tax referendum by an 83% to 17% margin. There is not a "Budget Crisis" in Long Grove, but there is a "Leadership Crisis." At the time the real estate tax and subsequently the road SSAs were forced through meetings by the slimmest margin of the board, it was apparent that both the village costs were grossly overestimated and the revenues were underestimated. That is, a 10% annual inflation factor---a number without any basis in fact--was used for road paving costs, and revenue was assumed to be frozen for all time at the prior year's level--ignoring the rapid grown of sales tax income from Menards and Sunset Grove. After more than a year of fighting to put forth more realistic projections, it was apparent at the Village of Long Grove workshop on January 20 that, with good stewardship, no additional taxes are needed to meet the legitimate needs of the Village. Another key issue is the need to run the Village like a business. Large capital projects cannot simply be tossed into the budget without an assessment of return on investment for the Village and identification of cost recovery mechanisms.Is the historic district on the right track? Explain how, in your opinion, Long Grove gets its "downtown" roaring again.Clearly, the historic district is not on the correct path. The historic downtown continues to languish with a vacancy rate of nearly one-third, while new developments like Menards and Sunset Grove flourish. Revitalization of the historic downtown cannot occur without the full engagement of the downtown commercial property owners. There are huge gaps between the handful of individuals who own the commercial downtown, the business owners who lease the space, and the Board of Trustees. We have a situation where the business owners lobby the Village to bring building code violations against the property owners. At the same time, a subset of the Board continues to attempt to fling millions upon millions dollars of Village funds at the downtown--which goes to increasing the property values of a handful of owners--without any visible public involvement of, or commitment by, the property owners. We need to recognize that times have changed and a return to the 1970s is not possible or even desirable. There is a need for true leadership in the Village to bring all stakeholders to the table and develop an economically feasible approach for the downtown and the Village. With the proper leadership, innovative redevelopment involving mixed use can make the historic downtown a true showcase and a source of community pride.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?Long Grove has significant space that can be commercially developed, but has not taken an effective approach to shepherd that development for the maximum benefit of the Village. A case in point is the Harbor Chase development; clearly, there is a need for senior living, and the Harbor Chase development satisfied the building requirements of Long Grove. However, a senior living facility at the gateway to Long Grove--as opposed to a major retail center--is not the best use of the land for Long Grove. Proper stewardship and leadership by the Village in facilitating and securing select premiere developments can maximize the economic value to the Village and return Long Grove to a true "destination location." I firmly believe that in the next 10 to 20 years, Long Grove can develop down a path much like Mettawa, maintaining its rural character and, instead of taxing its residents, rebating excess funds to them.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?The Village is at crisis point with respect to transparency and trust. That message was clear at the past series of public workshops. Village finances must be more visible to the public. Board deliberations must be conducted and all actions taken in open public meetings. Preparation of ordinances by a subset of the board outside of public meetings and presentation of those ordinances fait accompli in a single meeting without the opportunity for full board discussion or public involvement, must never happen again. Use of Executive Session must be strictly limited and not abusively used to avoid public scrutiny of Village activities. We will ensure that the Village conforms and complies with not only the letter, but also the intent, of requirements regarding open meetings and executive session.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Governor Scott Walker, Wisconsin--battled entrenched special interest groups, dramatically improved Wisconsin's economy, and transformed a $3.6 billion deficit into a $911 million surplus...without raising taxes.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?First and foremost, there's no substitute for hard work. That, and assist your neighbor whenever possible.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Our choices make us who we are. I'm very happy with that... probably should have started playing competitive ice hockey before my 60s, though...What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?I was always intrigued by math and science. Technology development and commercialization become my career, so along with business and economics, they were essential.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Live life to its fullest.