Mark Madej: 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: SchaumburgWebsite: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mark-Madej-for-Schaumburg/100795886665052Office sought: Schaumburg Village Board Age: 58Family: Married to Sherry 09/05/1981. 2 Adult Sons.Occupation: Manager Network Services at ATTEducation: GED, some adult classes in accounting, electronics and programming. Completed Dale Carnigie course on Public Speaking.Civic involvement: 4 years on the Schaumburg Septemberfest Committee, Cub Scouts Pack 199, Boy Scouts Leader Troop 396, past American Red Cross Disaster Volunteer, past CEDA Board member and current Schaumburg Village Trustee since 2005, re-elected 2007 and 2011.Elected offices held: Appointed to Village of Schaumburg Board of Trustees in 2005, re-elected in 2007 and 2011.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?Experience, dedication and long time (33 years)caring resident. A average Joe, that also has a personal tight budget and knows that every decision effects my families and my personal life. I will continue to look for ways to monitor, assess and responsibly lower our budget and expenses, so we can remain finically healthy.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.At one time, Schaumburg was one of the few towns in the state that didn't levy a property tax. For over 50 years Schaumburg Residents were fortunate to be receiving expected public services for free. Un-fortunately, with a economic disaster that had created a loss of over 50% of our sales tax revenue that supported those services, Schaumburg for its first time in its history had no choice but to levy a property tax. The levied tax was packaged so that it would have a minimal affect on our property owners by picking up the the tab on Refuse pickup and eliminating vehicle stickers. As a hard working middle class Citizen, I will always look for ways to reduce the burden and when possible eliminate it. Since its implementation,we have reduced the tax levy every. That's 5 consecutives years. Few have said that the sales tax is too high but that hasn't stopped anyone from shopping in Schaumburg. Besides, better getting sales tax revenue from non-residents then out of our own pockets.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?After all we have gone through to recover from the bad apples found in our Police department, I believe we are better, stronger and safer than we ever have been. I am very proud of our Police and Fire departments.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?I don't think that it would be in the best interest for the village or its residents to be cutting any further than we have. The only realistic place you could do any trimming would be services and streets. Schaumburg residents don't want that. We cut brush pickup one year as a trial and we were swamped with complaints. We will continue finding new sources of revenue, to fund the services and programs our village provides to our residents.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?I would like to encourage more entertainment venues in our Business District (Woodfield and Convention area) to help support the many restaurants and Retail businesses. We have plenty of restaurants. I would like to have more discussions on the feasibility of the use of rain garden style runoffs on public easements and the use of LED technology for street lights. And, more implementation of solar energy.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Our business/retail occupancy rate is still one of the highest in the area, but we still need to work to attract more businesses to ensure continued economic growth. And continue to support and work with the Schaumburg Business Association and businesses that are already established so they remain healthy and viable.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.John F. KennedyWhat's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Nothing is a given.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I'd have a larger family (more children)What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?The play ground. I learned how to get along with everybody.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Life is short, fulfill your dreams.