Ron Jarvis: 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: GrayslakeWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Grayslake Village boardAge: 51Family: Father of a daughter 10 and a Son 7. Both parents are living. Older brother and Younger sisterOccupation: Telecommunications Manager for the Federal GovernmentEducation: Studied Electronics in the NavyAttended College courses in Science, Alternative energy, computers and electrical theory.Civic involvement: Was a member of the Jaycees in my younger days.Member of the Grayslake Historical SocietyMember of the Sierra ClubJoined the Grayslake Lions clubCoached Park District Baseball and SoccerMember of the Y Adventure Guides and PrincessesElected offices held: Grayslake Village Trustee 2007 to PresentHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: Candidate did not respond.Candidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Business Development. I ran 4 years ago on the issue of bringing more entertainment business downtown and stop the development of condos. The housing down turn proved me right as the Condo developer pulled out while the hugely successful Emil's has come in. I want to help keep the Village on this track for the next 4 years while focusing also on the I-83 corridor and I-120 opportunities.Key Issue 2 Continue soliciting for State and Local Highway and road development to attract business. We saw over $300 Million in State funding come into Lake county in the last four years. We were fortunate to get money for I-137 paving, I-45 widening from Peterson Rd. to Washington St. and widening I-83 between Antioch and Lake Villa. We will be looking to our new Republican State leadership to keep that momentum going. We have been requesting Intersection development at I-83 and I-120, Atkinson Rd., I-137 and I-83.Ultimately we need I-83 widened from I-120 to Rollins Rd.Key Issue 3 Environmental Development. As the cost of Alternative Energy come down more and more companies and even consumers will want to entertain these energy solutions. I want to help the village prepare for the changes by developing necessary ordinances to make it an easy transition. Furthermore I want to encourage developers at the Cornerstone project to look at the alternative energy industry for their planned Industrial park. With the State and Federal incentives offers to developers, I believe this is a great opportunity to grab a niche market for Grayslake by creating a Green development.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?As an incumbent, my record shows I am an honest representative of the people who is not afraid to take a resident's issue and champion their cause. I am capable of presenting an argument and standing up to the majority when I firmly believe it is the best way. At the same time, I will not allow my ego to get in the way of reason. I listen to others and negotiate for a compromise if possible. This type of cooperation makes for a well run Village and that is what I am seeking for Grayslake.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 don't think the problem is with over-taxing the businesses. The economy is such that no one is building right now. If the Old Fairgrounds was developed we agreed to a 1% sales tax district to help the business with taxes. I think the Village has gone out of their way to entice the businesses. When the economy responds we will be ready. I want to be part of that effort.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.My neighbors in Prairie Crossing were concerned about cut through traffic and the unsafe intersection at Casey Rd. The State put us off for years. I collaborated with State Senator Michael Bond to move the I-45 widening project up in priority. The new light installation at the Casey Rd. intersection has eliminated both of these issues.In my current neighborhood I talked to friends and neighbors and brought their issue to the village asking that the drainage on Harvey, Burton and School streets be improved to eliminate standing water and flooding. This project was funded, Harvey has been renovated and Burton is scheduled and still under development. I brought up a safety concern near the Manor Neighborhood about children not having sidewalks to walk to Frederick school. The winter making this even more treacherous. The Village found a grant and is working on developing a solution there.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?Grayslake is not like most Villages because we paid off our bond last year and we are out of debt. However the budget has taken a huge hit because of the loss of building income and the State not paying the promised tax. We made hard choices this year to eliminate some long awaited projects and substituted for those critical infrastructure projects. The idea is to not run with your pet bike path project and forgo a water main improvement. These are not the most glamorous projects but to stay above water (pardon the pun) you have to make these hard decisions. Our goal is to make cuts to stay in the black while working with the State to get what tax we can. We do not intend to borrow at this time. Right now the budget is balanced.What#146;s one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?Making the Cornerstone Industrial Park a Green Project though development of Alternative energy companies is my idea.On a smaller scale, I want to talk to the developer at the corner of Washington St. and I-83 about building a bowling Alley instead of the strip mall type plan he originally had. I believe Grayslake would benefit from a bowling alley. The kids would use it for birthday parties rather than going out of town. League play brings the community out and together to meet in a comfortable adult atmosphere. We don't have anything like that right now in the Village.