Gary Franzen: 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: LibertyvilleWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Twitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Libertyville Village Board Age: 74Family: Wife BeverlySon Darick Wife AndreaSon Troy Wife SuzanneKyle Wife Linda Dana and Husband Chad10 GrandchildrenOccupation: Northwestern Mutual Financial Rep 35+ yearsEducation: Masters plus 30 hrs. in Education Minor in BusinessCivic involvement: Little League Baseball Camps for youthLittle League Baseball CoachRotary Club Grace Lutheran Church Building CommitteeElected offices held: Libertyville High School BoardLibertyville Village BoardLibertyville Little League PresidentGrace Lutheran Church BoardPresident Victoria Park HOALibertyville Village Board Representative to JAWAQuestions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?Lived in Libertyville for over 50 years, the many offices held, involvement in the community, civic experiences, and the boards I have served on.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.I believe the local sales tax is fine.I believe property taxes are much too high.Explain: Many residents, especially seniors can't afford living here any longer.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?I would give the town's police and fire coverage an A rating. I believe they are well prepared for the next decade.Public Safety Concern: Yes I have a safety concern for the students that would be crossing Butterfield Road should the Butterfield Road Project be approved.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?I believe the Village Staff should see if privatizing some of our Village Services would cut costs.Examples: Snow Removal, Lawn Care, Parks Maintenance, etc.More activities community wide for our Senior Citizens.What is one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?INITIATING A PROGRAM TO GET SENIOR CITIZENS INVOLVED.Example: Volunteering in Village Hall, Police Dept., Public Works, etc.I have seen this extremely successful in other cities throughout the country.I would love to discuss this further as we have limited space here.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?1. DENSITY OF SEVERAL DEVELOPMENTS BEFORE THE VILLAGE AT THE PRESENT TIME. 2. OUR VILLAGE BOARD SHOULD HAVE DONE A BETTER JOB OF PUBLICING THE SALE OF THE BOLANDER PARK. THE VAST MAJORITY OF RESIDENTS I HAVE SPOKEN WITH STRONGLY DISAGREE WITH SELLING OFF PARK LAND FOR DEVELOPMENT.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Vice President: Mike PenceWhat is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Respect authority. Specifically your Parents, Teachers, and PoliceIf life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Spend more time serving.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?GovernmentIt helped my become a better educator, and definitely helped me become much more interested in Local, State, and National affairs.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Be a better listener.You have two ears and only one mouth, put the ears to better use.