Michael Russell: 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: HainesvilleWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Hainesville Village BoardAge: 50Family: Wife, Tameeca N. Russell, 3 adult children and 1 dog (NikeOccupation: Technology SpecialistEducation: Devry UniversityCivic involvement: Cranberry Lakes Homeowners Assoc. (President of Board) Trustee- Mt. Sinai Baptist Church, North Chicago, IlElected offices held: Candidate did not respond.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I currently serve as President for the Board of Director for one of the town home communities in the village. My vast knowledge of issues pertinent to my community makes me an ideal candidate to represent my as well as all town home communities. Additionally, I have served on the Board of Directors of one of the largest churches in Lake County for the last 10 years. My experience with large budgets come in hand for such a challenge.What is your opinion of your community's present level of local sales and property taxes? Is the tax just right, too low or too high? Explain.I have yet to formulate an opinion of the community's sales taxes; however, I believe that the property tax level is quite high. I recently successfully represented our association in our petition to the assessors office to have the taxes in our association lowered collectlvelyRate the efficiency of your town's police and fire coverage. Are the departments well prepared for the next decade? What, if anything, should be changed? Do you have specific public safety concerns?Being on the Homeowners Association, I have had plenty opportunities to work with our law enforcement personnel. I have the utmost respect and applaud them for the work that they do patrolling our streets.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?To date, I have not completed my budget study of the villages finances. Once completed, I will chronicle my findings on my web and Facebook page.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?The one idea that I have would be to find a way to better integrate our police department. Upon entering our village hall, there is a picture of the Grayslake Police Department which features no minorities.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?I am quite concerned about the possibility of two members from the same house (husband and wife) serving on the village board at the same time. This represent 1/3 of the voices in our great village and to have this much control in one house is not in the village's best interest.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Martin Luther King.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Honesty is truly the best policy.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would have definitely study typing better in high school. I still have trouble with my typing.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?English...I am able to communicate more effectively in work and in my other interests.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Treat people with dignity and respect. You never know if you have to pass them in life again.