Frank Covone: Candidate Profile

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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:BioQA Bio City: Lake in the HillsWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Lake In The Hills Board Age: 56Family: wife:LindaOccupation: USPSEducation: Fenwick High School (1972-1976)Xavier University Cincinnati, Ohio (1976-1980)Civic involvement: Sunset Fest Entertainment Director(2001-2010). Planning and Zoning commission(2005-2013) Village Trustee(2013-present)Elected offices held: Planning and Zoning Commission(2005-2013) Village Trustee(2013-Present)Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I have fresh ideas, with a realistic approach to our changing community. I've been a Trustee in the Village for only a year and a half, however I have 8 years of experience on the Planning and Zoning Commission. I possess an intimate knowledge of where the Village has been and where we are going. I've listened to some very good people on the Board and in the community and have formed my own thoughts about our future. It's my opinion that we have a strong Village Board and I am honored to be a part of it.What is your opinion of your community's present level of local sales and property taxes? Is the tax just right, too low or too high? Explain.We haven't raised the tax levy as a Board in the two budgets I've been involved with. I think that's very important. Do we have to be cognizant of changes that may occur in the future that could change that? Absolutely. We need to generate more tax revenue from the businesses on Randall Road. Now that the CFI issue has been defeated I believe that will happen. Residents will start to see some of the vacant properties filled with tax generating businesses in the near future. We are also working hard in Community Development to attract new retail business on Rt. 47,Rt.31,and Rakow Rd. This, along with the influx of video gaming revenue to the Village, will help alleviate some of the tax burden.Rate the efficiency of your town's police and fire coverage. Are the departments well prepared for the next decade? What, if anything, should be changed? Do you have specific public safety concerns?The appointment of Chief Brey by President Mulcahy and the Board has worked out as well as we expected, maybe even exceeded your expectations.We were recently voted the third safest village in the entire U.S. He has instilled fresh new ideas such as liquid propane injection systems in some vehicles to help cut fuel costs. The addition of Narcan in squad cars to help save lives in instances of Heroin overdose. Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED), is a concept where environmental design can lead to prevention over cure. Police involvement in the community should be and is, active and creative, not just passive and reactive. Police Department involvement in the community and morale of the force, is at a very high level.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?The Village is on firm financial ground.It is my belief that sometimes you have to spend money to make money. We have to make improvements to keep the Village moving forward. Infrastructure improvements, a new Financial software system, tree replacement and Parks and Recreation improvements are all necessary expenses. We have also spent money on airport improvements this year - sometimes things have to be done. I compare this to your home budget, hopefully you have a little something in reserve for repairs or emergencies that might arise. It's the same with our Village budget - some years there are more expenses than others, but you try and plan ahead as best you can.I feel our Board has done a very good job of that. I will reiterate, the defeat of the CFI and the increase in video gaming revenues will help alleviate budgetary concerns in the future.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?I'd like to more "destination"locations in LITH. We need to attract more restaurants or entertainment venues,that bring in Tax Revenue.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?As a Board member your major concerns always have to be the financial stability of the community, as well as taxes. That being said, I feel just as important to most residents is the employees of the Village that serve their needs. People who work for them on a daily basis. The Police Department, Public Works, Parks and Recreation,etc. The person who picks up the phone when you call to enroll your child in one of our many programs, or to rent one of our facilities for a family party. The residents deserve helpful, knowledgeable people in these positions. Another issue that has come to forefront recently in our Village and our State is the proliferation of video gaming. There are residents in the Village that oppose the idea on moral grounds and yet video gaming does bring revenues into the community. We as a Village have tried to the best of our ability to adopt ordinances that restrict and/or make these activities as discrete as possible. Our ordinances prohibit signage advertising these locations, as well as where the machines can be located within an establishment. Many of the concerns that residents initially had have been proven unfounded. Video gaming is one of the changes that our Village needs to adapt to and I feel most of our residents have.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.I'm not very excited by politicians. I am inspired by our new Pope Francis.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?In the end your character will be judged by how you treat others. Give your time and effort wherever you can.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Spending more time with friends and family. Building a better relationship with my siblings.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?I don't know that I had a favorite subject,but I received a good education. The most important thing I learned was to listen.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Do things! Experience life! I always thought you could learn more participating or traveling than you could reading a book.