Jon Mumford: 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: Fox LakeWebsite: http://www.focusedonfoxlake.comOffice sought: Fox Lake Village Board (4-year Terms)Age: 40Family: Wife- Lisa Stepson- Cristian 16 Stepdaughter- Bailey 13 Daughter- Savannah 7Occupation: Firefighter ParamedicEducation: Candidate did not respond.Civic involvement: Candidate did not respond.Elected offices held: Trustee Village of Fox LakeHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NOCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Continue to improve the appearance of the Village of Fox Lake including an agressive street paving plan.Key Issue 2 Continue to promote business growth and development.Key Issue 3 Continue to encourage fiscal responsibility with taxpayer dollars.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I have been involved with the Village of Fox Lake for over 14 years as a Firefighter, Street Department Laborer, and most recently as a Village Trustee. I am a 'hands on' person, I am very familiar with Village operations and the needs of our community. I do my homework, I take every community contact seriously, and I personally address any issues or concerns to the best of my ability.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.Taxes are in line for the most part with one exception. I would like to see an end to the utility tax in the very near future. I originally voted no for the utility tax and the economy has come back to the point where the tax could go away.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 public safety concern that I have been approached with is the amount of drugs in the community. The Fox Lake Police Department has worked very hard over the last 4 years working with landlords and using the Crime Free housing program as a way to remove unsavory characters from our community. The Fox Lake Police are continuously working on new ideas and programs to make the Village a better place. These programs have recieved and will continue to need the Village Board's support.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?When our group took office the Village of Fox Lake was operating without a balanced budget and was in the red. The Village board made some very tough financial decicions both from attrition and needs based budgeting that brought the Village back into the green and with a more positive future. The Streets Department is severely lacking in funding needed to repave and maintain the Village roadways, sidewalks, and lighting. The Village of Fox Lake has been behind in Street maintenance financially for more than 2 decades, this will need to be addressed in the very near future. We recently have finished a road survey which rates every road in the Village, this is the first step in developing an agressive paving and maintenance program. We have also been working on an agressive LED lighting program for our street lights, decorative lights, and exterior building lighting. This program will also need continued support as there is a significant savings in electrical and maintenace fees with the use of LED lighting.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?Over the years I have heard hundreds of ideas and concepts for our Village. The problem isn't always coming up with any new ideas the problem is executing the original ones. I am proud to have lead (and continue to lead) the Fox Lake Municipal Pier project at our Lakefront Park. This project had been talked about for years and most recently at a Plan Commision Workshop at the Fox Lake Public Library on 3-2-11. The first stage in this project was paid for by donations from local businesses and the citizens of Fox Lake and was installed in June of 2012. So, I suppose the 'new idea' is to involve the community more in the planning and execution of our NEW Village Comprehensive plan. This will ultimately make the Village of Fox Lake a community we can all continue to be proud of.