Michael Jenkins: 2021 candidate for Round Lake Beach trustee
6 candidates running for 3, 4-year seats
Bio
Town: Round Lake Beach
Age: 54
Occupation: Real Estate Broker, self-employed
Civic involvement: Former donor and fundraiser for Pillars Community Services, formerly Des Plaines Valley Community Center
Q&A
Q: How do you view your role in confronting the pandemic: provide leadership even if unpopular, give a voice to constituents - even ones with whom you disagree - or defer to state and federal authorities?
A: The local leadership should want to protect the citizens as much as possible. The Village should be following all state and federal guidelines and more if additional precautions are needed on the basis of locality. In the current phase of the pandemic, there should be considerably more local education and information regarding the vaccine as well.
Q: Did your town continue to adequately serve its constituents during the disruptions caused by the pandemic? If so, please cite an example of how it successfully adjusted to providing services. If not, please cite a specific example of what could have been done better.
A: I believe too much is being left to the county and state. I believe there is not enough local assistance, information, and education regarding the pandemic
Q: In light of our experiences with COVID-19, what safeguards/guidelines should you put in place to address any future public health crises? What cuts can local government make to reduce the burden of the pandemic on taxpayers?
A: Getting rid of red-light cameras and a general reduction in local sales tax, even if temporary, in order to keep residents afloat.
Q: What cuts can the local government make to reduce the burden of the pandemic on taxpayers?
A: We should always look at how we can eliminate waste and redundancies, in order to do this we need to first look at how resources are being used across different departments in order to determine cuts that can be made. I also think we should forgive the business license fees and any additional fees relating to additional services like outdoor dining for business for the year.
Q: Do you agree or disagree with the stance your board/council has taken on permitting recreational marijuana sales in the community? What would you change about that stance, if you could?
A: I agree with the current stance. I would like to evaluate additional licensing for local dispensaries.
Q: What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?
A: I would like to see more information and meetings online and just overall better and more inclusive communication, i.e.: bilingual. Social media also could be used more as a communication tool to promote what the village is doing.
Q: What is the primary reason you're running for office? What is the most important issue?
A: My primary reason is to make the community inclusive, stronger, and bring higher focus and priority to equality. I would like to hear people refer to Round Lake Beach as a place where they want to live.
Q: What do you see as the most important infrastructure project you must address? Why and how should it be paid for? Conversely, during these uncertain economic times, what infrastructure project can be put on the back burner?
A: I don't think anything has to be put on the back burner.