Dawn M. Simoncelli: Candidate Profile

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:BioKey IssuesQA Bio City: Round LakeWebsite: http://www.RLWorkingForYou.comOffice sought: Round Lake Village boardAge: 27Family: Long-time relationship of 9 years with my childhood friend, Darren Jackson. We have a charming 3 year old son, Dayne Jackson.Occupation: Assistant Manager for the American Family Insurance Agents of Lake County.Education: High School Diploma from Warren Township High SchoolAssociates Degree in Applied Science from Bel-Rea InstituteLicensed Illinois Insurance Producer in Property, Casualty, Health, LifeCivic involvement: N/AElected offices held: N/AHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Reviewing and tightening internal controls and structure for more accountability of taxpayer dollars.Key Issue 2 Not proposing budgets that incur deficits or require using cash reserves to cover operating expenses.Key Issue 3 Promoting local businesses by keeping village business in town when in the best interest of the village.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I grew up in the Round Lake area and have experienced first-hand the challenges effecting our neighbors and local businesses. With my knowledge and abilities, I will work towards supporting local business and enhancing our options so as to bring more to our community.Given the delicate balance between the need for revenue and over-taxing local businesses, what is your opinion of your community's present level of local sales taxes? Is the tax just right, too low or too high? Explain.I believe our present local sales tax is fair, before focusing on increasing taxes imposed on our community members we need to evaluate the wasteful spending of taxpayer's dollars.Talking with your friends and neighbors, what seems to be their biggest public safety concern? Explain the concern as you see it, and discuss how you think it should be addressed.From my discussions with fellow neighbors, we seem to be in agreement that tagging of gang symbols is a bit of a nuisance; especially when it is found in common community areas such as children's play parks and basketball/tennis courts. It creates a sense of unease and you think twice about letting your children play there out of fear something bad may happen while visiting these areas. I would propose establishing volunteer Neighborhood Watches and work hand in hand with our local police department educating volunteers on how best to proceed in given situations.In these tight economic times, municipal budgets have to be prioritized. Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?Of course, just as we do at home when finances get tight we need to fully analyze our current spending and not splurge on a $400 IPod to use as a raffle prize at a business conference. Instead lets offer a gift certificate to one of our local businesses which promotes our village. Also, we need to evaluate options of selling property that is not producing income and entice new business owners with discounted expenses eliminating the taxpayers need to pay for unused properties and in turn generate premium allowing us to lower our deficit.What#146;s one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?I am truly fond of the prospect of Neighborhood Watches. I feel it provides a sense of security and pride of belonging to our community members. I anticipate it may promote people who may not have been as enthusiastic of opening up to our police officers an opportunity to address concerns with their friends and neighbors who are members of the Neighborhood Watch; which in turn can be addressed by our men and women in blue when the situation warrants.