John Wondrasek: 2025 candidate for Hainesville village board

Bio

Office Sought: Hainesville village board (Vote for 3)

City: Hainesville

Age: 56

Occupation: Managing director

Previous offices held: None

What is the most serious issue your community will face in the coming years and how should the village board respond to it?

The loss of the grocery tax is a major issue. The board should address the issue by encouraging new non-grocery businesses to move their location to Hainesville.

How would you describe the state of your community's finances? What should be the top priorities for spending during the next few years? Are there areas of spending that need to be curtailed?

Honestly, I don't know exactly where the village stands on finances. We have had some improvements to roads and the new park in front of public works. I would like to see some improvement to the path along Hainesville Road. We have many young families and their safety should be near the top of the priority list.

What do you see as the most important infrastructure project the community must address? Why and how should it be paid for? Conversely, during these uncertain economic times, what project(s) can be put on the back burner?

Water. We need to know that if our wells dry up, there’s an alternative solution. I don't know the projects in priority order so I can't say what can wait. Infrastructure is too important for the back burner.

Describe your experience working in a group setting to determine policy. What is your style in such a setting to reach an agreement and manage local government? Explain how you think that will be effective in producing effective actions and decisions with your village board.

I feel everyone deserves the respect of others to be heard. There are no bad ideas, so all should be welcome. Once all ideas are on the table, there should be a discussion about which are most important, which are easiest to implement, all costs involved, then put them in order and take a vote.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

I've been a Hainesville resident for 25 years. I'm a leader in my career and I have extensive experience marketing municipalities to the community and the public. And it's time I give back to the community where I raised my children.

What’s one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?

1.) Better crosswalk at 120 and Hainesville Road so that people can more easily walk to the restaurants on the north side of 120. 2.) A bike path on both sides of Hainesville Road, especially one from the crosswalk down to the village hall. 3.) Somehow decrease number of cattails taking over the ponds/lakes.