Don Wilson: 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: GurneeWebsite: http://www.facebook.com/DonWilsonForGurneeTrustee?ref=hlOffice sought: Gurnee Village Board (4-year Terms)Age: 41Family: Married for 17 years with two daughters in Gurnee schoolsOccupation: Owner of wedding business and radio personality.Education: 1990 Warren T.H.S. in Gurnee and Broadcasting school at CLC and Gateway Technical College.Civic involvement: Former Exchange and Rotary Club member.Elected offices held: Was a 4 year member of the Gurnee Zoning board appointed by Mayor Kristina KavorikHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: n/aCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Keeping Gurnee residents safe.Key Issue 2 Elevating the expectations of people who visit and shop Gurnee.Key Issue 3 The village of Gurnee doing as much business with in the village as possible.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?As I look at past minutes of board meetings I do not see where anyone has brought forth ideas to help the residents of Gurnee maintain their investments. When there have been illegal signage up I have been the one to take them down. I have seven years left on my mortgage and have no plans of leaving. With two daughters in Gurnee schools I want to make sure Gurnee remains a great place to raise a family.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.I think Gurnee residents should have a card that gives them a lessened sales tax a clothes and food. This would invite more residents to shop at our stores instead of elsewhere.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.There have been break-ins in my neighborhood. I would like to see Woodlawn Rd. cut off just past Briar Ave. This would stop the traffic flow by a major park where kids play. I would also like to see a fence put up on the north side of Christine Thompson Park. This would make it a better looking park and allow parents and kids to feel safer there.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?The Gurnee's Got It Campaign should be run by the Gurnee Chamber of Commerce. That would save the Village $30,000 annually. It is currently run by a gentleman who works in Village Hall that has never run a business.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?Gurnee residents have no Village Property Tax, we should protect that. One way is to fine sagging pants in the village. When someone sees a fashion that was born in prison walking through our mall and amusement park they are less likely to want to return and spend the monies that keep us from a loca property tax. I interviewed the former Dean of Warren High School and he did not allow it in his school. I have also spoken with leaders in other tourist driven communities that have placed a fine on pants that are hanging low and people learned that you can expect more from their community. When I approached mayor Kavorik about the idea she was very much against it. Personally I had to walk away from spending five dollars at Great America because my ten year old daughter's face was butt level on a man's backside covered only by his underwear in public. We should expect better in Gurnee.