Garner to keep taxes down, lift Gurnee up
Gurnee is deteriorating in its appearance and financial strength, and, moreover, will face a rash of tax increases if Kristina Kovarik is re-elected as mayor.
With this upcoming election, Gurnee citizens can do something to turn their village around.
Greg Garner has been a positive force in Gurnee government. His message is inclusive and unifying. He respects opposing opinions of all kinds, and brings people together to form consensus. The current mayor actually attacks people who disagree with her.
Greg Garner is what Gurnee needs to move forward once again.
Gurnee does not need four more years of "strategic planning." Gurnee needs action.
We need action to persuade the owners of Gurnee Mills to reinvest in their property. We need action to push for the redevelopment of the east side of Gurnee, long left behind from the prosperity of the rest of the village.
We need action to put a program in place to beautify this village with better landscaping, decorative streetlights and more trees. We need action to make Gurnee the community it should be, rather than be satisfied with a Gurnee that is a shadow of its former self.
Most of all, we need a mayor who will make a firm and credible commitment to the residents to hold the line on taxes. Mayor Kovarik would like us to forget that she raised taxes two years ago, and she would also like us to ignore the fact that she pushed for a backdoor property tax increase. Ms. Kovarik attempted to convince the Gurnee Park District to use property taxes to pay for the bonds on the Aquatic Center, rather than continue to use Gurnee sales tax revenue.
Greg Garner voted against the Kovarik tax increases, and has made a firm and unequivocal commitment to oppose any attempt to raise taxes in the future.
Gurnee is at a major fork in the road in its history. Either we can continue with the failed policies of Mayor Kovarik, or we can vote for Greg Garner, who has a proven track record of getting things done.
I hope Gurnee residents will join me in voting for Greg Garner for mayor on April 7, 2009.
Peter S. Karlovics
Gurnee