Greg Garner: 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: GurneeWebsite: www.repealredlightcameras.comOffice sought: Gurnee Village boardAge: 53Family: Lavonna Garner (wife) 2 Daughters and 2 Sons married 21 yearsOccupation: Pain Care Specialist/ Pharmaceutical SalesEducation: Bachelor of Science Biology / Loyola University of ChicagoCivic involvement: Trustee Village of Gurnee for 6 years Supported District 56 SchoolsMentor to District 56 studentsMotivational Speaker to Warren High School StudentsElected offices held: Trustee Village of GurneeHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: No.Candidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Roll back the budget to 2009 levels and live within our meansKey Issue 2 Repeal Red Light CamerasKey Issue 3 Support only those initiatives that the Village can afford with existing revenueQuestions Answers How do you view Gurnee Mills' performance in the village?Gurnee Mills has always been a main attraction for Gurnee. It is important that we keep Gurnee Mills vibrant and healthy. Gurnee Mills has become dated over time and is in need of a fresh look. The Mall also thirsts for a more desirable selection of vendors to ward off the current trend of residents shopping outside of Gurnee. While the performance of the Mall is good, the aforementioned changes would maximize its performance. With this in mind, I believe we can bring back the Mall's luster and make it once again one of the premier shopping destinations in Illinois. .Where do you stand on the village's red-light camera program?I am against the Village's red light camera program and have opposed it from the very beginning. Residents were told that the red light camera program was about increasing driving safety when it is really about creating a revenue stream for the Village. I believe this program is bad for business because it leaves visiting shoppers with a negative Gurnee shopping experience not to mention the potential for rear end collisions. This program is simply a crafty way of separating taxpayers from their dollars.Tell us your ideas about the future of the East Grand Avenue corridor. The East Grand Corridor, with its peculiar layout of properties, poor mix of vendors, traffic congestion, vacancies and location to Rte. 41, is a complex problem. But, many times, the most creative solutions come from the most seemingly unsolvable problems. The East Grand Corridor has great potential. It is the gateway to both Gurnee and Waukegan. It is heavily populated and sits right off the Grand Ave exit of Rte. 41. In my opinion, this area must be developed. When properly done, this area will balance out the Village nicely. The Village is not in a position to wait and see who wants to locate on the east side but should seek the businesses they want to enter the village to be successful. What should the village do about empty space intended for the Heroes of Freedom Memorial?We have a half built memorial which is an eye sore that is expensive to tear down. As a result of the Village's position to halt construction, they are being sued. An unfinished memorial can be viewed as a slap to the face of veterans who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. We should partner with the Heroes of Freedom Foundation to seek peace and cooperation to build this memorial which is being built with donations.Are you committed to keeping a local sales tax and not reimposing a property tax? Explain your answer.I am committed to keeping a local sales tax and not re-imposing a property tax. The local sales tax has served the village well and helped its residents by lessening their tax burden. The local sales tax provides revenues to the Village from visitors who shop in Gurnee. Currently, sales tax revenues are off due to the economy, but will return with economic recovery. If we simply cut and manage the budget, there is no need to re-impose a property tax.