Russ Ruzanski: 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: Lake in the HillsWebsite: Facebook page currently under construction.Office sought: Lake In The Hills Board Age: 68Family: Married to Dorie, for 45yrs. Children, Identical twins, Richard Randall. 5 Grandchildren ages 11-18, oldest is freshman @ Indiana University.Occupation: Retired, Coca-Cola 42yrs. Sales/ManagerEducation: Graduate of LITH Citizen Police Academy both course class one and course two advanced. 1960-1964 St.Ignatius College Prep graduate. 1964-1967 U.S.Navy, graduate of Radarman class A school, Great Lakes Naval training center. Navigation and air control certificates received while serving aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Ticonderoga CVA-14 during 2-10 month deployments to Viet Nam including 2 mo. aircontrol duties served in DaNang Republic of South Viet Nam. Acheived top-secret clearance. Elgin Community College computer basic and Word, Excel, Power Point and Pivot Table.Civic involvement: 2011-present, LITH Village Trustee 2012-present, Chairman LITH Veterans Memorial Committee, currently selling commemorative bricks as part of the ongoing fund raising efforts. 2011-present, LITH Airport Committee. 2009-2011, LITH Planning Zoning Commissioner. 2005-2009, LITH Business Relations Commissioner, Chairman 2007-2009. 2013-present, Living Waters Church council Vice President, 2005-present, Living Waters Church Sunday School Teacher grades K-5. 2010-present,every Tuesday,volunteer at the LITH Food Pantry currently providing food to approx. 400 families per month. regular volunteer to work food delivery trucks from No.IL. Food Bank sponsored by the LITH Rotary.Elected offices held: LITH Village Trustee 2011-present. Living Waters Church Council Vice-President 2013-present.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?My commitment to serve this community has been proven in many ways during my first term as Trustee. Some examples are; I responded to the concerns of a resident who lives on a curvy street and more than once has had an auto wind up in her front yard after failing to negotiate the turn. I called for the police to conduct a traffic survey and they agreed of the danger and began the process to request installation of a guardrail. While working at the local food pantry with two area youth,after observing their work ethic, I wrote each a letter of recommendation for entrance to the National Honor Society they had been working for. Both informed me that my letter was instrumental in there being chosen for this award. I was able to help a resident who had suspected drug activity on her block when she returned home from her job as a night time registered nurse at 12:30am. the police performed extra surveillance , which led to the activity ceasing. I look forward to more of this type of service as it gives me great pleasure to help people who are in stressful situations through contacts made as a Trustee. I believe I have acted in the best interests of the residents of this community at all times.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.As a resident and property owner for the past 22 years, I believe our property taxes in LITH to be fair for the level of service we provide. It bears mentioning that during the last four years while part of the governing body, the only property tax increases have come from taxing bodies other than the Village of Lake in the Hills, our levy has remained constant. This was accomplished while granting yearly pay raises that are dictated by Collective Bargaining Agreements of Police and Public Works. And also providing raises for non-bargaining employees. Close monitoring of the budget as we move through the fiscal year is necessary.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 rate them among the best in McHenry County as they have received awards, including being rated #3 safest community to live in the entire country, for time to respond and quality of following procedures at all times. A professional appearance is maintained at all times. Many safety concerns are located along Randall Rd. but they are being addressed with as part of the Randall Rd. improvement begins with the engineering phase during 2015.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?The current budget provides for all resident needs while allowing for a prudent reserve. An area of increase could be addressing employee concerns such as preparing for the next step in their development leading to their career potential and retention. The Village is experience an increase in income from the proceeds of video gaming and I am requesting earmarking a percentage of this income be directed to a 503C such as the LITH food pantry and/or increased public service opportunities such as the establishment of an after school tutoring program and/or providing transportation opportunities for seniors.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?Reducing our carbon foot print by controlling the amount of gases being released into the air. This is beginning in part through conversion to propane fuel of police patrol vehicles, I would like to see us pursue the cost of geothermal heating and cooling for village buildings. And extend our use of propane fuels to some of the numerous public works vehicles we put on the street everyday.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Monitoring businesses that have video gaming to insure compliance with the stated methods of operation and any Village requirements. And, as stated above, I favor earmarking profits into providing more community service projects. Maintaining great relationships with residents and employees must remain at the top of everyone's priority list going forward.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Arizona Senator, John McCain for his leadership and bravery and endurance.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Putting other's needs ahead of mine leads to a happy and fulfilling life.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Furthering my education to the fullest.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Longhand Mathematics: Learning math this way has made electronic means an improvement but I can still perform the longhand way if needed.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Think of others first and always be completely honest. I have given nthem this advice on many occasions.