Mary Dominiak: 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: AntiochWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Antioch Village Board Age: Candidate did not respond.Family: Husband: EdOccupation: Part Time Faculty Loyola University ChicagoEducation: Loyola University Chicago - Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Nursing - Masters in Business Administration - PhD in NursingCivic involvement: - Founding Member and Board Member, Antioch Area Healthcare Accessibility Alliance - Member, Board of Directors, Healthcare Foundation of Northern Lake County - Member, Leader Council, Mercy Home for Boys and Girls - Parish Chairperson, Special Religious Education, St. Peter Parish - Member, Steering Committee, Mobilizing for Action Through Partnerships and Planning (MAPP), Lake County Health DepartmentElected offices held: Village Trustee of Village of AntiochQuestions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?Early in my term, I realized that Antioch would benefit from a clear vision and plan to guide fiscally sound decisions that would support everyone's goal to make Antioch THE place to live in Lake County. I pushed for development of the Village Strategic Plan. Firmly committed to engaging residents in Village issues and decision making, I advocated for a community vision created from the residents. A Community Vision Committee was created that included members of the community. Focus groups and what I believe is the first 60002 survey asking the residents to describe their vision of Antioch were conducted. The Vision statement came from that process. I walked neighborhoods and spoke to more than 300 residents, asking their opinion on whether or not video gaming should be allowed in Antioch. I did not feel that I could vote on that issue without speaking to residents. I am a strong supporter of inter-governmental collaboration. In these times of limited financial resources, finding ways to share costs and programs with school districts, the Township, and other government agencies is prudent. I ask questions. I know that does not always make me popular, but I serve the people of Antioch better by thoroughly understanding issues before voting. As a result, I am well-versed in the Village's critical issues. I am passionate about communication. Communication breeds transparency and understanding, both critical to good government and decision-making. These are examples of the variety of skills, experiences, and strengths I bring to the Trustee position.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 Village receives about 6% of collected property taxes. It is important for Antioch's residents to understand this because there is general concern about the level of property tax in our community being too high. As we climb out of the recession, we are beginning to see an increase in sales tax revenue, however, we are not yet able to leverage sales tax to adequately support our services. Even prior to the Village assuming responsibility for ambulance service, we have not had adequate financial resources for needed capital improvements such as road repair and park improvement due to decreases in sales and property tax which can be attributed to the recession and housing bubble. Since the Village has become the ambulance provider, these revenue sources are being further stretched to provide the level of services needed to assure residents' well-being and safety, while trying to protect the community-oriented heritage of Antioch. We need to grow Antioch's commercial and industrial community to increase property and sales tax revenues. This then can put us in the position of being able to build reserves, fund capital, and provide the services and events that our residents expect and deserve. The Village Board has a responsibility to ensure that the residents are widely informed of how their money is being spent and what the impact on services and community events will be if revenue goals are not met. We must use every available means to assure that this information is received by all residents.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?The Village has invested in both police and fire coverage over the past several years while operating within a very tight budget. There is a commitment to ensure that our police and fire departments continue to be a strong community asset well equipped and staffed for the public's safety both today and in the future. Our police department consistently demonstrates its ability to protect the residents of Antioch. The department has developed and implemented several innovative programs that have engaged residents such as the Neighborhood Watch Program, the Domestic Violence Unit, and Self-Defense Workshops to name a few. The police department works collaboratively with other municipalities and the Lake County Sheriff to find and apprehend individuals who are violating the law. The Village works collaboratively with the First Fire District to provide fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) coverage. A current issue is the lack of adequate financial resources to provide ambulance services without sacrificing investment in other municipal programs and services provided by the Village. We have some aging vehicles, but are not in a crisis requiring replacement in the short term. A public safety/public health concern of mine is the growing use of heroin within Lake County. Our police department is working with other communities and agencies to stop this growth. Another concern is the lack of financial resources to fund all three fire stations for fire and ambulance coverage. This has resulted in reductions in EMS personnel and in response times to help those in need.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?The Village Board and Staff are currently looking at where the budget can be â#128;~trimmed' due to the failed November EMS referendum. We are cutting not only close to the bone, but into it! We are considering cutting expenses for traditional events and activities that make our family oriented village unique. We operate a very lean organization in which Village staff wears multiple hats. We need economic development, but do not have the budget to staff that effort. We are fortunate that thus far this year we have not had the snow that we had last year. That has helped control our spending for snowplowing and salting, although the cost of salt has doubled from last year. We need to continue to fund our reserves for unexpected expenses. Reducing EMS funding would result in longer response times. These are some of the issues facing all of us in Antioch today. I do see a bright light that has come as a result of all of our current financial challenges: our current budget challenges have been recognized by many residents who have stepped up to help in the true tradition of our community's family oriented nature. Our "family members," i.e. residents, have volunteered to help the Village Board to problem solve, interject ideas for economic development and offer their time and talents in many ways. I am excited about that because I have always been passionate about the need to engage the community in the decision making process of the Village.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?If I have to pick one, it would be the opportunity Antioch has to re-vitalize its downtown area by becoming a Main Street USA community. What I like about Main Street USA is its emphasis on the 3-legged stool of participation by municipal government, the business community, and mostly importantly and critically, the residents. Main Street USA focuses on protecting heritage while energizing economic development. I have encouraged the Village Board to consider participating in this program and am working with several residents and Village staff to explore how Antioch can get involved in this initiative. Our goal is not to become another "X" village or town, but to focus on strengthening and growing what makes Antioch "Antioch"! Equally important is the health of the residents of Antioch. As a founding member and member of the Board of Directors of the Antioch Area Healthcare Accessibility Alliance (AAHAA), I am focused on finding the resources to address the healthcare and medical needs of the underserved in our community. AAHAA evolved from a meeting in 2012 in which organizations, government officials, and residents met to share the state of healthcare in Antioch with the Healthcare Foundation of Northern Lake County. This eye-opening experience led those in attendance to commit to finding a solution to help people in need. Through grant funding, a nurse and coordinator have been hired and we are finding the people in Antioch and connecting them with healthcare providers and education. There is so much more to be done!What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?We have been given an allocation to connect to the Lake Michigan water supply. Water is an incredibly vital resource that impacts the health and well-being of our residents. Water shortages exist in many locations across the nation. The Great Lakes hold about 20% of the world's supply of fresh water and the opportunity to connect to this valuable, limited resource makes perfect sense to me. Ninety percent of Lake Michigan's water has already been allocated. If we don't tap into it, we will lose the option; there are other communities waiting in line to replace us. It will strengthen our water supply, enhance its quality, and ensure that our children and grandchildren will have access to a safe water supply for years to come. So, in that regard, I support bringing Lake Michigan water to Antioch. I recognize that this will be a tax burden on our residents. So, I am in favor of "spending the money needed" ONLY if careful diligence assures that the money being spent is being spent appropriately and that all options for connecting have been explored. We don't want our children and grandchildren to look back and ask "What were they thinking?" We need to make sure that the final option is the BEST and most fiscally responsible option. The Village has a deadline to meet regarding its plan to connect to the lake and we need to make that decision soon so that we do not lose this opportunity.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.I am most inspired by ordinary people doing extraordinary things. I guess Bill Gates. He is an innovator and helps others by sharing his wealth.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?I come from a family of 11 kids. Sharing, respecting other people's opinions and helping others makes for a better community.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would dive off the high dive!What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Science. It has helped me to see that every day offers discovery and that innovation and change are exciting, good things.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?I don't have children, but if I did: "Eat dessert first!"