Mary Beth Euker: 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 ZurichWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Twitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Lake Zurich Village Board Age: 57Family: Husband: KevinThree Children: Nora, Bridget and DanOccupation: AttorneyEducation: B.B.A. Business St. Mary's CollegeJ.D. DePaul UniversityCivic involvement: PTO President, Seth Paine SchoolActive PTO Member Seth Paine, MSN and LZHSActive in forming Farmer's Market and Rock the Block events Village of Lake ZurichElected offices held: None.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I think I have a good grasp of reading policy, statutes and understanding the true role of a Village Trustee because I've been a practicing lawyer in Illinois since 1984. In addition, I am used to the distinction between transparency and when privacy rights need to be invoked so I will be able to follow those requirements. I have been an active member of the Lake Zurich Community and longstanding resident since 1988. I have seen and been part of a great amount of positive development in the Village and School System. Other than my profession, I have started an affordable not for profit Childrens Theatre company that serves the Village and provides a safe and fun summer activity for 175 children and is entwined with other Village events. I think both of these factors make me an active and vested member of any team moving forward. I look forward to learning from the Mayor and a great existing team.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.The Village of Lake Zurich is not a Home Rule community and therefore any ability to increase taxes is limited. I have seen statistics rating Lake Zurich as an affordable community in the Chicagoland suburbs. Tax issues are always intertwined with other issues and I do favor a level of taxes to maintain educational and community services and standards that we enjoy now.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 think our Village needs now and into the near future are being adequately met by both police and fire departments. There are no public safety concerns that I have that have arisen for either department. They are professional and responsive. My understanding is that there is new leadership in the departments and investments in communication equipment and response equipment that brings us forward for both departments. I continue to support any continued future improvements in the departments including those that encourage efficiency, equipment and response times.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?I think the current Board has found ways to make proper budget reductions and increase efficiency in the Village. I think that the improvement of roadways, parkway trees and other like improvements should continue to be a priority.What is one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?I would like to see the Village partner with the Chamber of Commerce in a mentoring program for LZHS students. I would also like to have a short Seminar or forum to educate the residents and voters in how all property sales work in Lake Zurich and, in addition, what role the Village can and cannot play in these sales. I think the residents at large have many misunderstandings about how much control any Village has over private property sales. Also, as a personal pet project, I would like to see a Community Theatre production for adults. That would be a fun cohesive activity that could be enjoyed by all ages.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?The development and marketing of the downtown area, events that can be developed through the use of community volunteers and being part of the continuing atmosphere of transparency with the Village Board.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.John Kasich and Tom PoyntonWhat is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Don't be afraid of hard work and every person at every level is important and can make a contribution that I can learn from.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Travel.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?History. It taught me to analyze things differently and write better.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?When making your path in life, both personally and professionally, be sure to give back to your community and help others.