Michael J. Gresk: 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: WheatonWebsite: http://WWW.GRESKFORMAYOR.COMOffice sought: Wheaton MayorAge: 60Family: KATHLEEN WIFE MARRIED 1972 TWO CHILDREN GEOFFREY SON BORN 1978 MATTHEW SON BORN 1980 (MARRIED 2010 - ERICA)Occupation: COMMUNITY BANKER - FIRST CHOICE BANK in WHEATONEducation: B.A. HISTORY -- ST. JOSPEH'S COLLEGE RENSSELAER INDIANA 1972M.A. HISTORY -- SO. ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY - CARBONDALE 1974Civic involvement: PRESIDENT WHEATON LIONS CLUB 1985 MEMBER SINCE 1982PRESDIENT WHEATON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 1986 MEMBER SINCE 1982PRESDIENT - EXCHANGE CLUB OF WEST DUPAGE 1990 TO DATE MEMBER SINCE 1982CITY OF WHEATON HISTORIC COMMISSION 1993-95ST. MICHAEL CHURCH BUILDING COMMITTEE - 2002 - 2006 MEMBER SINCE 1964Elected offices held: COMMISSIONER WHEATON PARK DIST 1989-93COUNCILMAN - CITY OF WHEATON 1995-2003MAYOR - CITY OF WHEATON 2007 TO DATEMILTON TOWNSHIP COMMITTEEMAN 2004-07Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NOCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 FINANCES --- MANAGEMENT OF LIMTED RESOURCES/REVENUE vs. RISING COST OF OPERATIONSKey Issue 2 ECONOMIC DEVELOPEMENT CITY-WIDEKey Issue 3 FLODING CITY-WIDEQuestions Answers Should the city take an active role in the restoration of the Wheaton Grand Theater? Please explain why or why not.THE ROLE OF THE CITY IN RE-HABBING THE WGT SHOULD BE LIMITED TO SPECIAL SERVICE AREA TAXES,NEW FOOD BEVERAGE TAXES,AND/OR A TAX ON THE SALE OF TICKETS AT THE WGT. GENERAL REVENUE TAXES (ie REAL ESTATE PROPERTY TAX) SHOULD NOT BE USED TO RENOVATE THE WGT.Should the city restore annual funding Wheaton's Center for History? Please explain why or why not.THERE IS A NEED TO REIVIGORATE AND RE-ORGANIZE THE CENTER FOR HISTORY. I HAVE LONG SUPPORTED THE C. for H. AS A VOLUNTEER AND WITH DONATIONS OF TIME, ARTIFACTS AND MONEY. I LOOK TO EXPANDING THE CITY'S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CENTER FOR HISTORY.How would you like to see the former Hubble Middle School property in downtown Wheaton redeveloped?I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE BUILDABLE AREA (THE FOOTPRINT OF THE CURRENT BUILDING .. APPOX. 9 ACRES) RE-DEVELOPED INTO A COMMERCIAL/RETAIL/RESIDENTIAL MIX USE, AS DETAILED IN THE FRIEDMAN REPORT, THEREBY PLACING THE PROPERTY ON THE TAX ROLLS. THE FLOOD-PLAIN/PLAYING FIELD WILL SHOULD REMAIN PLAYING FIELD FOR THE PUBLIC USE.How should the city deal with issues related to flooding?THE CITY HAS A FULL-TIME STORM WATER ENGINEER ON STAFF. CITY RESIDENTS BUSINESSES CAN REQUEST A 'DRAINAGE REPORT' OF THE INDIVIDUAL PROPERTIES. THIS ACTION CAN MITIGATE FLOODING IN INDIVIDUAL SITUATIONS. ANY LONG TERM, CITY-WIDE REPSONSE WILL BE VERY COSTLY. PROJECT SUCH AS THE JOINT EFFORT BY THE WHEATON PARK DIST THE CITY AT NORTHSIDE PARK WILL PROVIDE A DEGREE OF RELIEF, PARTICULARLY ON THE NORTHSIDE OF WHEATON. SIMILARLY, THE WHEATON SANITARY DIST. ""SOUTHSIDE INTERCEPTOR"" PROJECT WILL MITIGATE STORM WATER LEAKAGE INFILTRATION (AND LESSEN SANITARY SEWER BACK-UP) THE CITY ALSO OFFERS ASSITANCE IN RE-EMBURSING RESIDENTS WHO INSTALL OVERHEAD SEWERS IN THEIR HOMES AND BUSINESSES. THE FLOODING ISSUE NEDS TO BE ADDRESSED COUNTY-WIDE AND NEEDS TO ADDRESSED IN THAT MANNER.What effort should the city make to encourage the sale and redevelopment of the former Jewel site in downtown Wheaton?THE SINGLE LARGEST IMPEDIMENT TO THE RE-DEVELOPEMENT OF THE JEWEL SITE IS THE LISTING PRICE FOR THE PROPERTY. IT SIMPLY WONT SELL AT $3.25 MILLION DOLLARS. IF AN INTERESTED BUYER MATERIALIZES, THE CITY CAN MOVE FORWARD WITH ASSITING THAT RE-DEVELOPEMENT. IT IS IMPORTANT TO ALSO RETURN THIS PROPERTY TO THE TAX-ROLLS FOR OUR COMMUNITY.