Mark Guethle: 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: North AuroraWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: North Aurora Village boardAge: 52Family: Wife and two grown sons.Occupation: Director of Governmental Affairs, Painters District Council No. 30Education: High School; Washburn Trade School, Certificate of Completion (U.S. DOL-Registered Apprenticeship Program); continuing education and certifications related to industry and labor relations through the George Meany Labor College.Civic involvement: Other than serving as trustee of North Aurora: Loins Club member, and baseball coach North Aurora Baseball Association.Elected offices held: Current Village TrusteeHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: noCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 The need to create employment opportunities by working with local business owners, encouraging corporations to headquarter in North Aurora, revitalizing the Route 31 corridor, and holding the line on taxes. North Aurora should be a great place to live, work, and shop.Key Issue 2 The need to thoughtfully respond to the effects of the foreclosure crisis on our community, solutions that will prevent the creation of substandard housing and loss of property value.Key Issue 3 The need to partner with community leaders to address our on-going water issues and secure state and federal grants to help fund green building projects.Questions Answers Is it time for the village to hire a village administrator again, or is the setup with President Dale Berman working fine? Explain. What are the advantages and disadvantages?The Village currently has a Chief Administrative Officer, Wes Kornowske, who is very knowledgeable on Village issues. The current arrangement is cost-effective and suitable to our needs. Wes understands municipal governmentand is dedicated to North Aurora.Should the village proceed with remodeling the old police station into expanded space for village administration? Explain.Yes. The current village hall is over 30 years old and is in need of improvements. The old police station offers an opportunity to expand space for economic development planning and administration, and to provide needed storage space. It#146;s been said spiffing up downtown is nearly impossible because many property owners don#146;t seem to care about participating because their rentals make money as they are. What would you do, if anything?Last year we issued nineteen commercial permits, which is not bad given the depressed economy. Continuing to expand our T.I.F. district has moved projects such and the Tastee Freeze and medical offices; more expansion along these lines would be ideal for North Aurora.Why should or shouldn't people be allowed to keep a limited amount of hen chickens in their backyards?Most of North Aurora is made up of subdivisions and retail/commercial development, which is not well suited for hen chickens. I opposed permitting allowing hen chickens in residents' back yards.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one else is talking about?I am proposing a North Aurora Community Advisory Committee made up of residents who will discuss ideas and register opinions on issues coming before the Village Board. They would meet once a month, raise questions and concerns, and trustees and city staff will listen.