Mari Johnson: 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: Sugar GroveWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Sugar Grove Village boardAge: 53Family: Married to Kevin Johnson 09/07/1985 two sons, Timothy age 22, a senior at Washington University in St. Louis. Bradley, age 16, a sophomore at Kaneland High SchoolOccupation: employed outside the home as a Village Trustee; Community Volunteer.Education: Bachelor of Arts in Business Economics, Illinois Benedictine College,(Benedictine University) 1979Civic involvement: Kaneland Sports Boosters Board 2003 to presentSugar Grove Library FriendsSugar Grove Chamber of CommerceSugar Grove Farmers Market VolunteerSugar Grove Corn Boil 1986-2001There have been many other areas of community involvement over the past 23 years that are too numerous to mention.Elected offices held: Sugar Grove Village Trustee since 1995Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: noCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Continue fiscal responsibility to keep Sugar Grove on strong financial footing to best serve all Sugar Grove residents.Key Issue 2 Strive to grow Sugar Grove in a responsible fashion and boost local economy with commercial, industrial and retail components. Also to work in a cooperative fashion to find quality residential developers to complete failed developments.Key Issue 3 To add greater value to the community with capital projects that can be completed within the budget constaints that we are under.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I believe that my passion for Sugar Grove makes me the best candidate. I have lived here for over 23 years and chose to become involved in the community the month after we moved here. I believe that through community involvement you can make good things happen. I have been on the village board for 16 years and always work for the benefit of ALL residents. I take my responsibility seriously and approach decision-making in a rational fashion. As a board member, I have always worked to be fiscally responsible with our tax dollars.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 that our present level of local sales tax is just right. We fall into the same range as many of our surrounding communities. I do wish that we had more options for local shopping in order to boost sales tax here. That is a goal that we have had..working to acquire additional tax-generating businesses.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.As far as public safety issues, Sugar Grove does not really have large crime statistics. Those crimes that do occur seem to be crimes of opportunity..stealing from unlocked vehicles for example. There are also acts of vandalism. I believe that most residents feel safe in our community. Our officers stay on top of things when they occur. We have some excellent investigators who have solved some fairly large identity-theft issues, which are probably some of the top crimes. Public safety can also appply to streets and traffic issues. We have tried to keep street repairs moving forward and this has been difficult with the cut in motor fuel tax dollars. We continue to apply for a variety of grants that help to stretch our village funds for street projects.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?We have worked to stay on top of budget concerns in this economic crisis. We have cut staff, had furlough days and have forgone raises. We have also extended the replacement times of municipal vehicles (including squad cars). We will be focusing on the upcoming budget in February. I would expect more of the same recommendations. We look to trim budget numbers in areas that do not effect the residents when at all possible. We do not want cut services to residents as long as we don't have to.What#146;s one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?I would like to have a ""Beautify Sugar Grove Day"". I think it would be great to get everyone together to do clean up, planting flowers, sprucing up homes and mowing lawns etc for people who need the help, and really bring people together to meet some of their neighbors. I think when people are really invested in each other and their community, good things happen.