Tao "Tom" Martinez: 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: North AuroraWebsite: martinez4coroner.comTwitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Friends of Tao MartinezOffice sought: Kane County Coroner Age: Family: Wife, Rene; Children, Tyler, Kaylee and BriennOccupation: Emergency Responder / EntrepreneurEducation: Associate Degree in Business and Management, Medicolegal Death Investigation from St. Louis University, Lead Homicide Investigation training and multiple forensic certificationsCivic involvement: FAMA (Foundation for the Advancement of Mexican and Americans Businesses)Elected offices held: NoneQuestions Answers What will your criteria be for determining if a death requires an autopsy?Illinois State statutes list twelve separate criteria to determine whether an autopsy is warranted. If a case meets any one of those criteria, then an autopsy should be performed. What role, if any, does the coroner's office have in preventing deaths and engaging in local advocacy, such as encouraging the use of Narcan and collecting unwanted prescription drugs?Having the coroner's office recognized as a drop of center for unwanted prescription drugs is a good idea because it's a simple and inexpensive way of extending prescription drug danger awareness. While Narcan is a great tool in the law enforcement and medical response arsenal, it's not nearly as effective in the Coroner's hands. There are better ways for the Coroner to take the lead in preventing unnecessary deaths. For example, I will implement a #8216;Prevention Over Intervention' program using volunteers who have experienced a tragic loss as a result of substance abuse, gang violence, or suicide. These experts will reach out to the community, raise awareness, and save precious lives. Is there an ongoing need to promote public awareness of the coroner's office and improve the office's image? If so, how should such promotions be funded?There is no need to promote the Coroner's office and the best antidote to a poor image is a well-run concern. Implementing and supporting programs designed to prevent death would also improve the Coroner's image, but any such effort should be volunteer based and funded through donations and fundraisers #8211; not taxpayer dollars. In fact, I have already extended an invitation to established programs such as Mi Barrio run by author Robert Renteria.What is the best strategy for ensuring the coroner's office is never over budget?This one's easy! Work cooperatively with the County Board to set a reasonable budget and be as fiscally responsible as any businesses owner. More simply, my administration will live within their means! My vast administrative experience is what separates me from the other candidates. I have worked with budgets from zero to five times the current Coroner's budget. I know that anytime a Coroner employee receives a 40 percent raise it is fiscally irresponsible. It was also unnecessary for the Coroner to replace most of his vehicles with top of the line SUV's. If elected, I will search all venues to acquire equipment at a lower rate, I will monitor staff hours to ensure proper benefits and wages are accounted for, and I will ensure that all expenditures are in compliance with county auditor standards. In the event of a mass casualty event, I have prepared a volunteer deputy coroner #8220;Off Duty Program#8221; in which students and people of various backgrounds will be trained and deputized to assist the Coroner's office with any incident that exceeds standard operations.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 ran for Kane County Coroner's office in 2012. While that bid was unsuccessful, I intend to overcome the five percentage points that separated myself from my opponent. Following the 2012 election, I was appointed as a Deputy Kendall County Coroner, a position I continue to hold.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?First, as a business owner and a father, I understand that we can't spend more than we take in. The Coroner's office is no different. There is no excuse for the Coroner being over budget four straight years. Second, I would streamline standard operating procedures for autopsies relying on investigative skills to determine, on a case by case basis, when an autopsy is necessary. There is nothing worse than burdening a family with an unnecessary autopsy. Lastly, since I would rather save lives than embrace death, my office would implement a #8216;Prevention Over Intervention' protocol through the work of volunteers who have experienced a tragic loss as a result of substance abuse, gang violence, or suicide. These families will raise community awareness through emotion and save precious lives. Please name one current leader who most inspires you.I look up to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg because he is an activist who started from nothing and through perseverance, became the success story we all know. He is a kind individual who cares for greater causes like immigration and #8220;advancing human potential and promoting equality.#8221; Despite Mark's age he did not let anything stop him from achieving success!What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?As the oldest of three, my father, who was a fisherman, always told me, #8220;Everything you do, your brothers will follow.#8221; That meant I had to be the best role model I could be. So I did my best to teach them to be dedicated, to be ambitious, and to stay humble.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?When my twins, Tyler and Kaylee were born, I had to decide whether to become a United States Marine or be there for my wife and children. If i did get a do-over, I would have been proud to enlist in the United States Marine Corp and serve my country at an earlier age.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life? I loved math! I loved the challenge and the fact that mathematical formulas offer a sure path to a correct answer. As an adult, I realized you can apply the same principle to life. The key is to find the #8220;formula#8221; that leads to success.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?I tell my three children that no one can stop them from following their dreams and achieving their goals.