Mark Guethle: Candidate Profile

Back to North Aurora Village Board

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: North AuroraWebsite: noneOffice sought: North Aurora Village Board Age: 56Family: Wife,two boys and two grand daughtersOccupation: Director Of Goverenmental AffairsEducation: High school,Three years Washburn Trade School Two years George Meany CenterCivic involvement: North Aurora Lions Club Member North Aurora Days Committee Baseball Coach North AuroraElected offices held: North Aurora Trustee 2003-2005 North Aurora Trustee 2009-2011 North Aurora Trustee 2011-current North Aurora Baseball board member 2000-2006Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I have been a dedicated village board member since taking office in 2003. I have proven to work well with my colleagues to benefit the village. I have a good pulse on the community. I have talked and met many people in our village. As Chairman of the Development committee I was instrumental in instituting twenty one newly registered businesses in just this past year; secured the new Marriot Fairfield Inn Suites commitment to build in North Aurora - along with Opus and Liberty Industrial buildings and Rennology, a European car service center. I also worked with federal, state and local government on grant funding for our comprehensive plan, summer jobs program and side walk repairs; am currently working with staff on parkway tree removal due to emerald Ash Borer disease; worked with village staff and board on Route 31 utilizing TIF tax revenue for reconstruction of Smoke Tree Lane and successfully secured funding for the backyard water main replacement program. Due to my out reach to village residents I learned the need for leaf pick up and was instrumental in developing North Aurora's leaf pick up program. And finally, I've been a resident of North Aurora for 15 years.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.The tax is just right. The Village's pro-business climate has lead to four straight years of steady economic growth, and the village's bond rating from Standard Poor's increased to AA+. The village also has received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the past 9 years as well as the Certificate of Achievement Award for Excellence in Financial Reporting.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?We are only responsible for police protection. The fire district is a separate taxing body. Our police department is among the finest. I was a trustee back in 2003 when the police department building was first discussed and played an instrumental role in seeing to fruition. I am now the only remaining trustee who saw it from start to finish. I see nothing that needs changing at this point and have no concerns about public safety.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?Our budget needs no adjustments. The annual budget was heavily discussed and reviewed thoroughly. I am proud to report that the village has operated in the black for the entire time I've been on the Village Board.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?I would like to see North Aurora seek out a developer to invest in a convention center. I think this is a big need for our region as a convention center would create employment opportunities and add revenue to the village.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Maintaining a strong business climate and encouraging business to locate in North Aurora will serve to keep property taxes in check. With our proximity to Route 88 and our residents' ratio of average income level to mortgage or rent costs is only 30% for almost two thirds of our citizens. This entices companies to locate here and is very good for the Fox Valley region.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.My football coach in high school, Coach Farivani.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Work hard, remain ethical and go to church.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Helping others.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Math. Understanding numbers helped me in music and I still play music to this day in church.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.