Mark Kownick: Candidate Profile

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:BioKey IssuesQA Bio City: CaryWebsite: http://www.kownickforcarymayor.comOffice sought: Cary Village President (4-year Term)Age: 53Family: Married to Shannon for 24 years, three children: Matthew (21)Iowa State University-Engineering, Kaitlin (19)University of Dayton-Education, Christopher(15)Cary GroveOccupation: President and Owner, Action Building Maintenance Corporation, Cary IL 60013Education: Bachlor Of Science - Southern Illinois University, 1983 Business, Marketing, Journalism, AdvertisingCivic involvement: Village of Cary Trustee Cary Soccer Association -Coach 9 years -Executive Board Member - 5 years -Sheppard Schleisman Tournament director-3 years Cary Youth Baseball -Coach 4 years Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church -CHRP Ministry Chairman 2 years -Marriage Preperation Facilitator 10 years -Knight of Columbus 12 years Cary Grove Chamber of Commerce 4 years Cary Grove Booster Club 6 yearsElected offices held: Trustee, Village of Cary Vice President - Cary Soccer AssociationHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Fiscal responsibility. Effectively evaluating all expenses and revenue sources. Continue maintaining the highest level of budget management, live within our means, continue to deliver, approve and manage a balanced general fund budget.Key Issue 2 Economic development. Making Cary a Destination. Diversify our tax base through new development and re-development opportunities including: corporate businesses and retail sales tax generating businesses. Determine a variety of reasonable new incentives to drive development in order to remain competitive in the market. Make it happen.Key Issue 3 Maintain a high level of services rendered to the residents and businesses of Cary. Continued infrastructure improvements: streets, sidewalks, sewer and sanitation. Continue looking for new opportunities to enhance the Village of Cary. Listen to what people have to say. Be a professional, positive and a welcoming influence to all through-out the Village of Cary.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I want to make Cary a Destination! As a experienced Cary Village Trustee, I have the integrity, experience, knowledge and passion to move Cary in a positive direction by means of fiscal responsibility, economic development, and continued improvements through out the Village of Cary. I will work towards identifying what is in the best interest of the residents and businesses in the Village of Cary. I'm a business owner for over 25 years and located in a Cary business park for over 16 years. I make difficult decisions everyday, while enabling the continued success of my employees and the continued growth the corporation. Doing more with less. This business experience, together with the many years of public service, including the associations I have represented, have given me the experience of listening, relationship building and working to get things done. I do not have a conflict of interest when working with land owners, landlords, potential developers, tenants and businesses in Cary. I will make fair and balanced decisions that are in the best interest of the Village of Cary.Given the delicate balance between the need for revenue and over-taxing local businesses, what is your opinion of your community's present level of local sales taxes? Is the tax just right, too low or too high? Explain.The Village of Cary is a non-home rule community, therefore our sales tax rate is set at 1%. In my opinion, our local taxes are at an appropriate level, it's how we choose to manage and control the spending of the revenue that makes the difference.Talking with your friends and neighbors, what seems to be their biggest public safety concern? Explain the concern as you see it, and discuss how you think it should be addressed.The Village of Cary is one of the safest, if not the safest community in McHenry county. While a Trustee, we hired a nationally recognized Chief of Police. We employ a top-notch police department. We have very low crime rates. While serving on Public Safety Committee, we took great pride and interest in public safety. Keeping our community, schools and children save will continue to be top priority. Many efforts are in place to assure the community of Cary is safe and well protected, at all times.In these tight economic times, municipal budgets have to be prioritized. Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?While serving as a Trustee, we initiated substantial cost savings. We reduced personnel and personnel related costs along with many general fund budget line items. These reductions have net a reduction of approximately 1 million dollars. We operated on an incredibly lean, balanced general fund budget. We made the adjustments to sustain the economic climate, without reducing any services to the residents or businesses in Cary. Currently, we need to plan for new development. We need to determine various and reasonable incentives to make development happen within Cary. In addition, we need to concentrate our vision on what our future needs will be. Make the necessary changes to sustain our operation.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?I want to make Cary a Destination! We have incredible neighborhoods, remarkable business parks a variety of retail outlets. We also have outstanding schools, a great library and wonderful parks. All of these combined, make up the Village of Cary. We need to work together. We need to build on this success. By partnering with qualified developers, we will welcome new businesses, shops, restaurants, grocery stores to come to the Village of Cary. Working with residential developers to finish the available sites. Share ideas of the anticipated growth, emphasizing Cary is the gateway to McHenry County. Bringing more jobs, complimenting our current businesses and retailers. We have many great development opportunities and one chance to get it right. These developments will help deliver what the community needs and is asking for, along with additional revenues that will continue to make Cary a great place to live and work. This equals Business and Residential Success! Keeping taxes affordable! Getting things done!