Mary Forner Piekarski: 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: Island LakeWebsite: http://www. PeoplesVoiceforIslandLake.comOffice sought: Island Lake Village boardAge: 47Family: Married, one childOccupation: Director of Finance at About Learning, IncEducation: Associates of Arts, William Rainey Harper College,1984Civic involvement: Organizer for the Ruben Brown Motorcycle Run benefiting the Salvation Army; Wauconda Police Officer Eric Schultz Fundraiser. Frequent contributor to local schools, athletic clubs and various fundraising organizations throughout the community. Volunteer for We Care, PADS, LYAA Baseball, District #118 PTO Boosters, Wauconda Park DistrictElected offices held: AFSCME Local #2904 Secretary, 2007-2008Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Work with all departments to provide fiscal responsibility along with transparency and accountability in our village government by evaluating products and services to ensure that we are getting the most value for our spending along with quarterly reviews of the budget while continuing to be open and visible to the residents of the village.Key Issue 2 Work towards a unified villge government while still maintaining the voice of not only the board but the residents thus providing true representation for all.Key Issue 3 Create a safe environment for our children and senior residents by providing safe passage along Rte 176 and maintaining Community Watch programs.Questions Answers Village board meetings are contentious and often filled with anger. If elected, what will you do to ensure the board operates professionally?Work together with all board members and provide compromise if needed - everyone has good ideas and bad ideas but it is up to the elected officials to agree to disagree, be accoutalbe and work together to get the job done and move the village in a positive direction.What do you think the village should do to improve government transparency?Continue to keep residents aware by promoting attendance at all public village meetings and functions along with encouraging resident involvement.What can the village do to fill vacant storefronts and attract new business and development?Curb Appeal - In order to fill vacant storefronts and attract new business I believe we need to have an appealing image as one drives down the main street of the village, something that makes someone want to stop instead of just driving thru. In order to achieve this we would need full business and community involvement by improving the appearance thus making the drive thru awe inspiring.Name one area of the village you#146;d improve, and how would you accomplish that task? If the project requires funding, explain the source.Unity and Communication - I would like to see not only the board but the employees of the village and the residents of the village become more unified with each other which not only will promote increased communication but also improve community involvement, trust and prosperity.What suggestions do you have for increasing revenue and/or decreasing expenses?I believe we can increase revenue via sales tax by not only attracting new businesses but by retaining current businesses - thus creating more jobs which not only helps the village but the economy in whole. Expenses should be monitored and examined routinely as not to miss any savings opportunities.