Ron Jarvis: 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: GrayslakeWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Grayslake Village Board Age: 55Family: Kalle - Daughter 14 Harley - Son 11Occupation: Telecommunications IndustryEducation: Navy Training - Electronics Some CollegeCivic involvement: Navy Veteran Member - Masonic Lodge Member - American Legion Member - Grayslake Historical SocietyElected offices held: Grayslake Village Trustee 2007 to presentQuestions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?Over the years the Grayslake Village Board has gone through many transitions as far as scope and planning. I came on the board during a time where the emphasis needed to shift from Residential building to commercial building. This is an area that is paramount with me and I am a leading supporter of economic development and a good steward for improving the downtown area as well as developing our available commercial areas. Furthermore I am the charter member to the Environmental Stewardship Committee and seek a sustainability standard for Grayslake. My interests in maintaining and improving the infrastructure of our historic community has been well received by the Mayor and board members. Improvements to Highland Rd., Harvey and School St. were my focus and will be completed this summer. I take a personal interest in every request from villagers and work on their behalf to get their issues heard and resounded to. Projects seeking village acceptance right now: Set a standard for biodegradable (in the landfill) plastic bags in the Village. Seeking more space for Communal gardens. Working to expand local food production in Grayslake and Lake County. Seeking to extend curb and gutter to Park Ave. to seamlessly tie the downtown to the Heritage district. This will let our visitors entering and leaving Grayslake to and from the North see how much we care about our village.How would you describe the condition of your community's budget, and what are the most important specific actions the town should take to assure providing the level of services that people want?We are the best prepared community in the county. We are debt free and stay within our budget. We have experimented with freezing the tax levy and stay on track to remain stay within budget again. Our emphasis has remained on funding road and infrastructure improvements. Fixing a water main is not really glamorous campaign promise but is it better to fix it now or let it break and turn the downtown into an ice jam? There are a lot of awesome things we want to do in the village and we will get there but a prudent Trustee sits back and agrees to spend the new bike path money on infrastructure because it is the right thing to do. And so it goes.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?There are no areas we have not considered in the budget. Our Board of Trustees are sincerely in tune with the economic development plan, the 25 year plan and development of the downtown historic district. I did not agree with the erecting of those welcome monuments but those were actually not hugely spendy items. I believe we are all being good stewards of the village budget.Is the village doing enough to attract business development? Please elaborate.In the current economy we are actually in the same boat as every other municipality with a great idea for development, no one is building. The Village has actually had a lot of positive business development in the past few years. The Mercy Senior development on 120, Chic Martin's Architectural building, Bulldogs, the new Centennial Park, Light The Lamp Brewery, Premier Chiropractic office developments and the future Bowes restaurant to replace the Last Chance. We have established an aggressive economic plan which is very promising. we are hoping to see some great ideas for inviting more economic interest soon. We have worked with the county to prepare sewer for the old fairgrounds and Alter Cornerstone developments. Our two big commercial development possibilities. The village is doing their due diligence to stay prepared for a shifting in the economy.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?I want to build a tunnel under the railroad at Pine Street downtown. This is not a new idea rather a resurrected idea. The difference is we would not shoot directly through the Geletin Factory, but go off North to meet the tracks perpendicular and then turn off around the back of that building and straight to Central Park. This ultimately will provide an egress form the downtown to 83 when the train is blocking all other egress. But also it will provide another way of accessing Central Park, the Library and the Aquatic Center from the downtown. I also would like to see the Geletin factory become an annex for the Historical Center and a walkway connecting them.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?The current Board and Mayor have been together long enough that we talk about everything, openly without any hostility. We still have passion but also there is a level of respect that comes from working with people long enough to know where they are coming from in opposition or difference of opinion. I am endorsed by all the trustees and the mayor for reelection. That is only because we are truly affective. We all care deeply about the betterment of Grayslake and strive to do the best we possibly can. I'm proud of that.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Jonathon ToewsWhat's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Work hard, Play harder.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would go to college after the Navy rather than jump into a career. Too hard to quit working once the career has begun.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Biology. I saved someone's life from what I learned in High School. Received a medal of Valor for that.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?If you believe in something, stand up and tell people about it, humbly, proudly and specifically. Make yourself heard or nothing will come of it.