Michael Pones: 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: VoloWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Volo Village boardAge: 41Family: Married, two boys (ages 9 and 11)Occupation: IT Network EngineerEducation: Bachelor of Science, Western Illinois University, 1992Civic involvement: Candidate did not respond.Elected offices held: Candidate did not respond.Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Ensuring public safety for Volo residents.Key Issue 2 Making sure that the village continues to grow commercially.Key Issue 3 Candidate did not respond.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?My active attendance at village meetings and appointments to both the Zoning and Planning boards make me the best qualified candidate for the position of Trustee. I have attended Board meetings since I moved to the village four years ago. In June, 2008 I was appointed to the Zoning Board where I served until I was appointed to the Planning Board in March, 2010. I am also a member of the Park Committee, which was formed to turn vacant land at the village hall into an area for all residents to enjoy.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 the tax rate in Volo is just right and in line with neighboring villages.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.Police patrol is an area of concern of friends and neighbors as some worry that we do not have a big enough presence in the village. I would look to review the amount of hours spent patrolled in the village; especially as we grow both residentially and expand commercially. I would also like to review our tornado siren coverage to ensure that all Volo residents can hear warnings should the need arise.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?Being a small community, we do not have our own municipal services like other larger cities. Since we contract these services out, I would look to review all contracts and make sure that we are evaluating requests for proposals to ensure that we are spending our money wisely and getting the best possible value.What#146;s one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?Volo is a small community split between Wauconda and Grant Township. As such, our community is divided by the township our residents reside in. Our children go to different schools, participate in separate sports associations and we use different municipal services such as library, park district, etc. I would like to start a yearly Community Service day, where all residents come together as a family to serve Volo as one.