David Zipp: 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: InglesideWebsite: www.ZippToCounty.comTwitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Lake County Board District 5 Age: 41Family: Dr. Marcella Marion Reca Zipp (wife)Ken Lydia Reca (Ingleside, IL in-laws)Alan Paula Zipp (Silver Spring, MD - parents)Occupation: Attorney at LawEducation: Juris Doctorate - Southern IL University School of LawMaster of Arts in Political Science - Eastern Kentucky UniversityBachelor of Arts in Police Administration - Eastern Kentucky UniversityAssociate of Arts in Criminal Justice - Montgomery College (Rockville, Maryland)Civic involvement: Veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. Five years on Gavin District 37 Board of Education - in those years, we never raised taxes, finally balanced our budget, retired an aging bus fleet, provided teachers a reasonable raise, added all day kindergarten, and increased assessment scores.Founding Executive Director of the Illinois Boaters Association - a grass roots organization which protects Illinois boater rights, drafts intelligent legislation, and advocates for the Chain O'Lakes region, citizens, employers, and boaters. Fox Lake Chamber Board of Directors, 32nd Degree Master Mason, 4th Degree Knight of Columbus, Numerous pro bono legal hours given each year.Elected offices held: I have served District 5 and Lake County with both elected, appointed, and volunteer positions. I currently serve on the Gavin District 37 School Board, Fox Lake Chamber of Commerce Executive Board, and as Executive Director of the IL Boaters Association. I enjoy the numerous opportunities and privileges I have had for community service, and look forward to many more. My wife, Dr. Marcella Reca Zipp, is similarly dedicated to District 5. A life-long resident of Ingleside, she is President of the St. Bede School Board of Specified Jurisdiction and directly involved in preventing the Archdiocese from closing the school.Questions Answers If you are an incumbent, describe your main contributions. Tell us of any important initiatives you've led. If you are a challenger, what would you bring to the board and what would your priority be?There are no incumbents for District 5. I am the only long-term resident (over 10 years) in D5, served our nation in the U.S. Marine Corps, and have always been a Reagan Republican. I am not a newcomer, nor live behind gated community walls. My law office is located in downtown Fox Lake in the heart of District 5. I have continuously served D5 on the Gavin School Board, IL Boaters Association, Rotary, St. Bede Knights of Columbus, Fox Lake Chamber, and a 32nd Degree Mason. I am hopeful to participate in several debates with GOP candidates to inform voters.The forest district's money for land acquisition and development is drying up. Is a new tax-rate increase for more bonds needed? If so, when? And why?A new tax-rate increase is absolutely not needed. While the various preserves are beautiful and personally utilized walking my rescued Greyhound dog and riding bike trails with my wife, the practice of over paying for vast amounts of land that in many cases could never be developed should be retired. At 3% of all taxes from Lake County residents, there should be millions of dollars available to showcase and develop forest preserve lands without new bonds or taxes on already over-taxed residents of Lake County. Efficiency of land administration would allow new monies to be available without tax increases.When the forest district bought the new headquarters building in Libertyville, the intent was it would include the Lake County Discovery Museum, but a big state grant to fund that is on hold and the overall vision is in limbo. The district also wanted to rent a fairly large portion of the building. What scenarios do you envision for the museum, given the turn of events since the headquarters building was originally acquired.I have traveled throughout our wondrous nation and have found joy in local museums and regional features. The Lake County Discovery Museum needs a frugal budget that celebrate its exhibits and features without looking to the State or any other soft money revenue streams. Did you know that mammoth bones were found right in District 5's Ingleside? I learned that visiting the museum! The LCDM should not attempt to compete with the Chicago Museums, but instead celebrate the natural history, wildlife, lakes, and prairie of Lake County. Spending money is not always the best or only solution.Should the county continue to spend its regional sales tax funds on state road projects or should that money be directed to address other Lake County transportation needs? What is your position on whether Route 53 should be extended through Lake County and why? Has your stance on Route 53 changed, given the recent increase in opposition?State road projects are necessary and a proper use of sales tax funds. The long overdue Route 53 extension is a welcome lifeline to the vast plurality of District 5 residents. Right now, we D5 folks spend almost as much time getting to the highway as we do getting to Chicago, the airport, or other Chicagoland amenities/attractions. Lake County collects some of the highest taxes in the nation and categorically should build this long overdue highway extension. Recent opposition to Route 53 is continued self-service of a few at the expense of District 5 needs and economic development.Please list any elected office you have ever run for and what the result of that election was. Have you ever been appointed to fill an unexpired term?I have served on the Gavin District 37 School Board for the past five (5) years. I was elected first as a write-in candidate and then was reappointed to the board by my fellow Board of Education members. I have also been an appointed committeeman. I have had the opportunity to serve or am currently serving community leadership opportunities in D5, including the Fox Lake Strategic Planning Commission, IL Boaters Association, Boaters Are Voters PAC, Crime Stoppers Executive Board, and Veterans Legal Assistance Program. As a local attorney, I routinely offer pro bono legal services to needy individuals and causes.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?I seek to represent District 5 on three major issues:1. Forbes Magazine lists Lake Co., with its $500 million budget as the 9th most miserable place to live in America due to high taxes. D5 deserves better!2. District 5 boasts a large portion of the Chain O'Lakes. This water wonderland draws boaters, families, and nature lovers from all over. The majestic waterways are protected by the Fox Waterway Agency which needs Lake Co. partnership - not tariffs. 3. Anti-patronage/graft. Working for County Government should be reserved for the best and brightest, not simply the most well connected.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin "Bibi" Netanyahu inspires me because he stands firm for his people and his beliefs at the expense of political correctness.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Trying and failing is better than never having tried in the first place. I have learned far more from my mistakes than my from victories.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would have liked to have attended the United States Naval Academy and earned a commission as an officer of my fellow US Marines.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?As an attorney, political studies and government was my favorite school subject. You can help so many people if you understand government.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Go ahead and get dirty. Stay up too late counting stars. Never lose your curiosity and desire to learn. Be wary of free candy/lunch.