Walter Szymczak: 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: Mt. ProspectWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Twitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Mount Prospect Village Board Age: 65Family: Patricia (spouse)Lisa (daughter)Matthew (son)Occupation: Retired Purchasing Agent/Contract Specialist from the Federal Reserve Bank of ChicagoEducation: B.A. in Political Science from Loyola University of ChicagoMaster in Public Administration from Roosevelt UniversityCivic involvement: Candidate did not respond.Elected offices held: Candidate did not respond.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?My education with a M.P.A. degree with focus in city management and my experience working at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago make me a good candidate for a Mt. Prospect trustee.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 feel the present level of local sales and property taxes are just right. The current board has been careful in providing a balanced budget. My only concern would be the current stalemate with the state budget which holds up payment of the village's share of local sales taxes.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 of Mt. Prospect has excellent police and fire coverage. The police department's concern over lack of space in the current building would need to be addressed for future consideration for public safety.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?The current Mt. Prospect budget is balanced and provides for the needs of the community.What is one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?I am interested in the PACE future proposal for better mass transportation for the village such as connecting to key areas in the village like the Metra train station and Randhurst Village to mention a few.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?I am interested in the further development of the Mt. Prospect downtown district and the Kensington Business Center.I would also like to see a program to add more lighting on the village's residential streets.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.President Barack ObamaWhat is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?To be able to help family and friends when needed.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?To learn more in school.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?History. I learned that history repeats itself and to see those patterns.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?To always strive to better yourself.