Michael Kozel: 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: BarringtonWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Twitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Barrington Village President Age: 63Family: Two adult sons, Sam and JakeOccupation: Self Employed, Owner of Carpenter On Call since 1995Education: MBA Northern Illinois University, graduated with honors, Electives in municipal bonding.MS Business, Roosevelt University. Graduated magna cum laude. Electives in finance and marketing.Harper Junior College, 20 hours in architecture and engineering.Civic involvement: Past Member, Barrington Breakfast RotaryCurrent Member, Barrington Chamber of Commerce Parent Volunteer, Lines Elementary SchoolLittle League CoachVolunteer, Barrington Brew Fest Volunteer, Barrington Historic Society MuseumVolunteer, Barrington Art in the BarnVolunteer, Barrington Fourth of July ParadeElected offices held: NoneQuestions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I believe in transparency. Open dialog and public discussion of issues is the most effective way to keep the community involved, vibrant and aware. After twelve years of stagnation, debt, and a less than inviting approach to public input, what Barrington needs is a business savvy leader with new ideas who is open to public opinion and discussion. I earned my MBA and have owned and operated a successful business in Barrington since 1980 and believe these are transferable skills to public sector management. As a business owner, I'm a member of the Barrington Chamber of Commerce, who believes in conservative administrative management of public funds and functions with a pro-business approach. I am committed to ending Ms. Darch's twelve-year legacy of massive debt backed by high property taxes and general obligation bonds.How would you describe the condition of your community's budget, and what are the most important specific actions the town should take to assure providing the level of services that people want?Ms. Darch's management of Village finances has led to deficit spending, ballooning debt, deferred maintenance of infrastructure, and crippling property taxes. I would describe the condition of our community's budget as poor. Barrington needs to get back on track with quality services that are traditionally provided by municipalities. For example, forced development of the downtown by handing out "sweetheart deals," to developers is not prudent. Also, diverting millions from the Sewer and Water Fund so that this development's parking lot is paved and maintained by taxpayers is not acceptable. Buying, funding and spending millions on the poorly planned White House project which has little change of being self-sustaining as promised, must be reviewed. As Village President, I would return local government to its common functions while keeping property taxes down and encouraging private sector development with reasonable incentives and no more hasty "sweetheart deals" that cripple us with long-term debt. One of many glaring examples is the Arthur Hill Company, which was awarded a controversial 99-year lease at $1 annually on prime Hough and Main Street real estate.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 White House is a financial boondoggle that needs to be addressed. Deferred maintenance of important projects including the overpass and street and sewer repairs must be corrected and properly planned so that multimillion dollar projects do not hit the tax rolls in large unplanned increments.Describe your leadership style and explain how you think that will be effective in producing effective actions and decisions with your village board or city council.As a 35-year Barrington business owner, I would bring a business approach to local government and stricter oversight of public funds. There are three aspects to this: staffing, the public, and the Village Board. I believe in employing the most qualified and experienced individuals for administrative positions. I take a hands-on approach but listen to and evaluate the opinions of qualified directors and employees before making decisions. I would hold regular staff meetings so department heads understand my objectives for the community and to understand their viewpoints to better serve the community. I am a strong believer in communicating, evaluating, and implementing.I am a "people person" and a problem solver. I enjoy talking to people in the community. I would have regular town hall meetings with department heads present to address community issues and make sure village officials are accessible. I would also require department heads to attend all village board meetings to address residents and business owners' concerns at public forums. I do not believe in bureaucracy and stagnation. I believe in direct access by the public to decision makers and timely results.The Village president and board need to make decisions collectively and resolve differences in public with public input. I would limit executive sessions to state mandated purposes to improve transparency and public awareness.What is one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?I would like the Village to interface more with the Barrington Park District. As the Village develops more single-family homes, condos, townhomes, and senior housing which are among my goals for the community, we should coordinate development with parks, trails and open spaces. I would like to see joint cooperation between developers, the Village, and Park District to create more places for people to gather and provide community space. These are core quality of life issues that will make Barrington a residential choice for new and existing families.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?In addition to the above, these are my campaign priorities:Reducing High Property Taxes:I believe the best way to lower high property taxes is to stay focused on traditional village functions, stopping long-term debt imposed through bonds and excessive borrowing, scheduled and properly budgeted infrastructure repair (instead of costly deferred maintenance) and by bringing in new businesses and sales taxes revenues. Reasonable economic incentives will attract quality companies to our commercial districts, bringing new revenues, jobs and tax relief to homeowners. Protecting Home Values:I believe Barrington's high property taxes and long-term debt under the current village president are pushing homeowners out and home values down. We need to protect our investments by improving infrastructure, recreational opportunities, and marketing our community to attract new families and homebuyers.Developing our Downtown Commercial Districts:Barrington's downtown district is a "forced development" subsidized by "sweetheart deals" and taxpayers' money instead of the private sector investment. With the exception of village funded developments, the larger downtown area is stagnant. My plan revitalizes the downtown with upscale condos for downsizing seniors, professionals, and commuters using the Metra. New stores, trendy restaurants and vibrant commercial districts will breathe a breath of fresh air into the district with reasonable incentives and proper planning. Term Limits:Ms. Darch effectively announced her retirement after "one more term" making her a lame duck. When politicians grow stagnant, the community grows stagnant. As Village President I would impose term limits to two terms.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Theo Epstein showed how humble leadership, hard work and being business savvy can make all the difference in turning an organization or a community around.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Be persist in what you believe in. Work hard in all you do. Apply yourself to your goals.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would have earned my MBA sooner. The educational training would have been helpful earlier in my business and career.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?History; it taught me awareness of situations, how issues arise, occur and are favorably dealt with in similar situations"circ;brvbar; so history doesn't unfavorably repeat itself.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Always be true to yourself. "Say what you mean, and mean what you say"