Mark Knigge: 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: WaucondaWebsite: http://unitedwauconda.orgOffice sought: Wauconda Mayor (4-year Term)Age: 64Family: Wife Monica and I have been married for 45 years,we are lifelong residents of Lake County,living in Wauconda last 12 years. We have 2 children Kelly(husband Ken,children Karly,Kaden),and son Corey (fiancee Megan). All are very proud to call Wauconda Home!Occupation: I retired in 1999 after a 27 year career at Abbott Laboratories as a researcher in Cell and Molecular Biology.Proud to have been part of the research team that brought the 1st HIV blood screen test and antiviral medicine to the global health care systemEducation: Santa Maria Del Popolo Grade Scool Mundelein Mundelein High School College of Lake County Northern Illinois UniversityCivic involvement: Lake County Municipal League(Pres. 3yrs), Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, Council of Mayors, Rt53/Rt120 Blue Ribbon Panel, Rt176/ Fairfiel Rd Improvement Panel, Regional Water Supply Planing Group, NW Water Alliance Wauconda Clubs: Lions Club (Pres. 2yrs), Rotary Club, Moose Club, Chamber of Commerce (Ambassador),United Partnership for a Better Community, NISRA Foundation, Wauconda Fest, Wauconda Triathlon, Operation ClickElected offices held: Wauconda Park District Commissioner 2 years 2003-2005 Village of Wauconda Trustee 4years 2005-2009 Village of Wauconda Mayor 4 years 2009-2013Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 To continue to oversee and protect every tax dollar that the Village of Wauconda residents have entrusted in their Village Board. To continue the promise that those tax dollars are utilized in the most fiscally responsible manner. To continue to control the cost of core government services while maintaining the quality of those services our residents expect and deserve.Key Issue 2 To bring to fruition a project protecting the future water supply of the Village of Wauconda in the most cost effective manner possible by 2016. The project to bring Lake Michigan water to the Village of Wauconda, is a result of over 4 years of intense study by the Wauconda Village Board, Staff, and Consultants. The project study has included all conceivable source, funding, and partnership options and resulted in The Village of Wauconda being granted a Lake Michigan water allocation by the Illinois Department of Natural Resource(allocations are currently being sought by multiple municipalities in the region!) Additionally, because of the Village of Wauconda's voters timely and courageous mandate from the November 2012, the Village Board and Staff have already been able to reduce the total projected cost by 20% and will continue to investigate further cost reductions!Key Issue 3 Partnering with local businesses to promote economic development by finding ways to support those businesses, implementing a marketing plan to attract new businesses, and developing a TIF to encourage private investments in underdeveloped areas of WaucondaQuestions Answers Name one policy or issue where your stance differs from the rest of your slate? Please explain.We share a united vision of Wauconda which remains one of the best communities in Lake County, as reflected in the Daily Herald's readers Choice Award for that category. This award did not happen by accident. It happened because there was a cohesive , comprehensive plan which the Village Board and Staff worked hard to implement. I am seeking reelection to continue the plans and programs we as a board have impilimented! By putting forth my dedicated experience and knowledgeof the issues facing Wauconda! But we all come from at this mission from different motivation.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?Keeping our children safe from the dangers of drug abuse. A recent analysis of drug related deaths in Lake County determined that Wauconda has experienced four deaths from heroin overdose in 2012. In response to concern for our children, the Mayor has commissioned a panel joining the schools with hospital, police, religious leaders and service clubs to increase awareness of this very real danger. This iniative will focus on both parents and youth to acquaint each with the dangers associated with experimental or first-time use, and find ways to effectively combat those dangers.In these tight economic times, municipal budgets have to be prioritized. Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed? Conversely, is there something that should be reinstated or have resources directed toward?Over the last four years Wauconda has reduced the Village Staff by 25%, eliminated a $1,000,000 budget deficit and reduced the utility tax by 50%, all without negatively impacting services. The sucess of these efforts has been recognized by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) with a fourth consecutive Award for Excellence in Government Finance, confirming the wisdom of the practices and policies we have put in place to enhance fiscally sound management of public resources. Going forward as to what should be reinstated as resources become available, we believe that the capital improvement fund (CIF) should be increased to address future needs of the Village without placing any additional tax burden on the residents. We will continue to find new ways to leverage regional and state resources by partnering with other public bodies and private enterprises in an effort to bring needed services using the most fiscally responsible means.What changes do you think should be made in the Bang's Lake management to ensure its health and well-being and further enhance it as an important community and recreational resource?We are complying with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources mandates by hiring an environmental consultant using available recycling rebates...which mitigates the impact on taxpayers...to develop a comprehensive Lake management plan. This plan will help us to continue ongoing efforts to evaluate the current conditions of the Lake, identify problems and offer priortized solutions. Working with the Bangs Lake Advisory Committee, we are forging partnerships with Lakefront homeowners' associations to identify concerns and implement best practices for maintaining and improving the quality of the Lake. Banges Lake is one of Wauconda's greatest assests!What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?To protect Municipal Independance by continuing to be ever vigilant that State and Federal unfunded mandates do not erode the financial backbone of the Village of Wauconda. Wauconda is an unique municipality in the region, because of our capibilty to provide police, water, sewer, fire, and road services independently which means Wauconda is not subject to outside agencies that can dictate costs. The Village of Wauconda will bring together County, State, and Federal elected offficals and staff in a roundtable format to discuss the challanges facing our Village and how through better communication and networking we can forge partnerships that will benefit all concerned. Additionally, as Mayor of Wauconda and President of the Laks County Municipal League I will work directly with the Chairman of the Lake County Board to form a working task group that will include members of the County Board and Mayors of Lake County Municipalities to open a dialog by working together to better understand the challanges facing Municipal and County governments.