Scott Murar: Candidate Profile

Back to Round Lake Park Village Board, 2-year term

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: Round Lake ParkWebsite: www.focus2015.netOffice sought: Round Lake Park Village Board, 2-year term Age: 46Family: Carol-Wife, Brooke and Brandi-Daughters, Mark and Clayton -SonsOccupation: Lieutenant- Firefighter/ParamedicEducation: Murphy School, St. Joseph's Catholic School and Round Lake Senior High School, AAS-Fire Science-CLC Attended BA classes-Fire Science Management-SIUCivic involvement: I have been a Firefighter/Paramedic for the Round Lake Community since 1987. Being appointed as a trustee in 11/2014, I have been active with shop with a cop, holiday tree lighting festival.Elected offices held: Current Trustee, Chair of Public Works Committee. I also serve on the Finance and Code Enforcement Public Safety committees.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I am relatively new to the position of trustee, I did not enter politics to make a name for myself nor further a political career. I am serving because I care about my village and want to make a positive difference in the community that I reside and serve. This will be accomplished by ensuring we maintain a high level of safety in the community with adequate police staffing, open communication with residents, and supporting the growth of our business community.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.I believe property taxes should be inline with property values. The village's don't have any power on property taxes. I believe the villages responsibility should (FOCUS) on property owners maintaining their properties, so residents around them are not affected by poorly maintained property and lose additional value.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?I personally believe we have an efficient Police Department, Our crime statistics have decreased annually . This past year we were selected the #1 Safest Community in Illinois. Although I realize this award was objective based on computer generated statistics combined with subjective news articles, it still speaks for the results that an appropriately trained and staffed police department can accomplish. I also believe that The Greater Round Lake Fire Protection District and Grayslake Fire Protection District which both cover the Round Lake Park community are efficient in their services, Although both Fire District's are funded by a property tax levied by the district and extended to the property owners through the Lake County Tax Extension Office which is the Equalized Assessed Valuation. The EAV is maxed and has been declining every year since 2008 to Lake County Fire District's, but call volume and operational needs increase.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?The Village could always trim their budget and when I am elected I will take an active role on finding ways to save the village money. Some ideas in saving money would be to continue to ask for 3 quotes on purchasing to obtain the best price, Joint Village purchasing of vehicles, equipment, etc.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?Helping residents paint, and clean up property that can not afford it, by establishing a volunteer group and obtaining donated materials. This would improve the enhancement of the village and a sense of pride to the community.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Candidate did not respond.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Pope FrancisWhat's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Working hard to obtain your goals.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?If I could do one do over, I would have completed my college schooling earlier in life.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Any of the trade classes I was enrolled in. This helped me in life to be a more hands on person.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Treat others how you would want to be treated