Mark R. Kownick, 2 years: 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: CaryWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Cary Village board, 2-year termAge: 51Family: Married to Shannon 22 years, 3 children: Matthew 19, Kaitlin 17 and Christopher 13Occupation: President, Action Building Maintenance CorporationEducation: Bachelor of Science, Journalism, emphsis in Advertising, Business and Marketing, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, 1983Civic involvement: Cary Soccer Association-Coach 9 years-Executive Board Of Directors, 5 years -Sheppard Schleisman Tournament, Co-Director 3 years Cary Youth Baseball-Coach 4 yearsSaints Peter and Paul Catholic Church-CRHP Ministry, Co-Chairman 2yrs-Marriage Preparation Leaders, 10 years-Knights of Columbus, 11 YearsCary Grove Chamber of Commerce, 3 yearsElected offices held: Cary Village Trustee (Appointed 2009-Currently hold)Cary Soccer Association, Executive Board (2004-2008)Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Fiscal responsibility. Prudently evaluating all expenses and revenue sources. Continue maintaining the highest level of budget management, live within our means, continue to deliver, approve and manage a balanced general fund budget.Key Issue 2 Economic development. Diversify our tax base through new development and redevelopment opportunities with new corporate businesses, and sales tax generating businesses.Key Issue 3 Maintain the current high level of services rendered to the residents and businesses of Cary, including the continuation of infrastructure improvements, streets and sidewalks. Continue looking for new opportunities to enhance the Village of Cary.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?As a current Cary Village Trustee, I have the experience, knowledge and momentum to continue moving Cary in a positive direction by means of fiscal responsibility, economic development, and continued improvements through out the Village of Cary. I will continue to work towards identifying the best interests of the residents and businesses in the Village of Cary. In addition, I am a business owner in Cary for over 14 years. I have had to navigate my company through many hard times, making difficult decisions, while enabling the continued success of my employees and the continued growth the corporation. My company has been in existence since 1962. This business experience, linked with the many years of public service, including the associations I have represented have given me the experience of listening, working with others and building bridges to get things done.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.The Village of Cary is a non-home rule community, therefore our sales tax rate is set at 1%. In my opinion, our local taxes are at an appropriate level, it's how we choose to manage and control the spending of the revenue that makes the difference. Remember to shop in Cary. Every penny counts.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.The Village of Cary is one of the safest, if not the safest community in McHenry county. We have very low crime rates. Being on the Public Safety Committee, I take great pride and interest in public safety. One concern I receive is related to drug and gang activity. Although activity of this nature is limited, we have taken many steps within our own police department to prevent these issues from effecting our community, with great success. It simply will not be tolerated. Many efforts are in place to assure the residents of Cary are safe and well protected. With the recent hire of our new police chief, one of the many things he brings to the Village of Cary is his many years of experience related to proactive drug and gang control to promote a safe commumunity.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?Over the last two years, the Village has gone through substantial belt tightening. We have reduced personnel and personnel related costs along with many general fund budget line items. These reductions have netted a reduction of approximately $1 millio. We are currently operating on an incredibly lean, balanced general fund budget. We have made the adjustments to sustain the current economic climate, without reducing any services to the residents or businesses in Cary. To date, our staff levels are at an all time low. The staff levels are where they were in the 1990's, but our population as grown substantially. If the increased revenue trend continues, we need to concentrate our vision on our future needs, look at measured growth for what the current and projected needs will be, and if the need is there, look to increase our staff by the level it demands.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?I have been personally asking business owners, restaurant owners, grocery store owners to come to the Village of Cary. I share my ideas of the anticipated growth and that Cary is the gateway to McHenry County. I will continue to promote and invite a new mix of businesses into the Village of Cary, creating more jobs and to compliment our current businesses and retailers. We have many great development prospects within the Village of Cary, these developments will help deliver what the community needs and is asking for, along with additional revenue, jobs and long term growth that will continue to make Cary a great place to live and work.