Jeffrey Clark: 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: MettawaWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Mettawa Mayor (4-year Term)Age: 56Family: Married, one son, one grandson.Occupation: RetiredEducation: Batchelors degree in communications (radio, TV, Film), University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.Civic involvement: Current; Trustee, Village of Mettawa and Air Boss/Director, Waukegan Regional Airshow. Former; Village of Mettawa Plan Commission, Lake Bluff Fire Department, Special Olympics, National Ski Patrol, American Red Cross, Lake Bluff Village Caucus.Elected offices held: Trustee, Village of MettawaHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Open, Team based approach to management of MettawaKey Issue 2 Better financial management.Key Issue 3 Renewed evaluation of village assets; Accounting, Engineering, Financial, Legal, General and Administrative.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?Knowledge and Experience. Decades of municipal service, current Mettawa Village Trustee.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.We have a 0% local tax rate and that should remain in effect.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.I am in charge of Public Safety for Mettawa. We have a three teared approach to public safety, Lake County District Two coverage, extra patrols up to $6,000 per month of additional shifts available to Deputies, and we have contracted with a private firm that provides patrol and protection to our residents. Current approach is working well.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?We have the ability to trim our outflow of capital in many areas. That is why this is one of my priorities listed above.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?Create greater community involvement. We do not have a cable system to broadcst meetings but I have thought a web cam of meetings could be used to inform and engage residents. The video stream could be made available through our web site and provide an effecient and effective way to develop a more comprehensive exchange with residents.