Raymond LaMarca, 4 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: Pingree GroveWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Pingree Grove Village board, 4-year termAge: 38Family: Married for 10 years with 2 children.Occupation: Technical Sales Engineer with data storage company.Education: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, University of Hartford, 1994Civic involvement: Chairman of Cambridge Lakes Volunteer Finance CommitteeVolunteer in the Pingree Grove Cares GroupVolunteer at Cambridge Lakes Charter SchoolToys for Tots VolunteerVolunteer Soccer Coach for Hampshire Park DistrictElected offices held: President and Treasurer - Tuesday Night Men's Golf League (10 yrs)Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Balance the civic budget so that Pingree Grove can chart a future based upon tax base growth and continued expansion.Key Issue 2 Work with my fellow Trustees and Village Manager to attract, secure, and enhance business tax base growth in Pingree Grove as well as continue to expand residential growth.Key Issue 3 Work with fellow Trustees to bring Pingree Grove together as one cohesive community instead of what is currently perceived as three separate areas - Cambridge Lakes South, Carillon and Heritage Districts. We all want to see our community thrive and property values increase. Working together to address all Village issues is the best way to begin this process.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?Although this is my first run at an elected office, I have been an active participant in local government since I moved into my first home in Carpentersville back in 1999. As a concerned citizen, I have attended Village meetings, spoken to community leaders and given my opinion regarding a myriad of issues. Since moving to Pingree Grove in 2005 I have not only attended many Village meetings, I also immediately became involved in Cambridge Lakes HOA meetings to help build the community through that aspect as well. As someone who intends on being a long-time Pingree Grove resident, I am personally invested in the strives and direction our community will take over the next 5, 10, 15 years. It is through public office that I hope to assist this community in a positive way.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 feel the local sales tax rates themselves are just right. The main objective will be to increase the base itself by attracting more businesses to Pingree Grove.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 biggest concern I hear from friends and neighbors is the empty properties in the area and any possible vandalism to those homes that may occur along with the overall external upkeep of them. I feel that the best way to handle this is to work together as a community. Most importantly, making sure everyone in the area is aware of the vacant property and diligently make sure nothing happens to the outside of the home - which in turn could lead to issues with our own homes.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?I feel what is needed with the budget is to revisit at the prioritization of projects for the Village. Meeting with fellow Trustee's and the department heads, we will need to make sure we are spending in the right areas and the spending we do is meeting the long term goals of the community as a whole and not just a short term fix.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?As I mentioned back in one of my top campaign initiatives, bringing Pingree Grove together more as a cohesive community is key to the heart of what I'd like to see us accomplish. There are many facets to this endeavor aside from the finances including broadening the reach and particpation of a group called Pingree Grove Cares, a not-for-profit organization created by Cambridge Lakes residents that's mission is to serve the community in both charitable and community-building ways. Creating a business networking group for our residents that both supports and enhances small business owners and other professionals who call Pingree Grove home. Finding strength, support , and balance in community-minded groups such as these can lead us positively forward in many other ways such as the reinstitution of more community-wide events, etc... In summary, it is my belief that building a more unified community will allow us to move forward in a progressive and thriving manner.