Gregory A. Martin: 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: BartlettWebsite: http://Markitmartin.comOffice sought: Bartlett Village boardAge: 46Family: Married to Suzanne Martin (13 years), three daughtersOccupation: Artist / owner of Chameleon ArtistEducation: Bachelor of Science, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, 1990Civic involvement: President of Regency Oaks Homeowner Association (3 years), member of Bartlett's American Legion Post 1212, member of Bartlett Veterans Memorial Foundation - Director of Bricks, and design commission. Member of the Bartlett VFW/American Legion Color Guard.Elected offices held: Regency Oaks Association- Vice President (1 year), President (3 Years)Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Bring more businesses into Bartlett. We need to widen our tax base, not by raising taxes but rather by attracting more and new business downtown and to our industrial parks. I am pro-business, as long as the enterprise fits our community. Key Issue 2 Keeping our taxes down. Residents of Bartlett, including myself pay a high tax rate to live here. Cook County and U-46 increasingly tax our residents higher and higher to make both ends of their budgets work. It is my hope that one day these taxes that directly effect us will go down. The taxes Bartlett collects is aduquate, but bringing more business into the Village would increase our budget and savings. I am Fiscal Conservative, and believe responsibility for the working budget is a top priority.Key Issue 3 I believe Bartlett is a great place to live and raise a family. I want to keep it that way. This town has a small town feel, a close community tied together through a solid Park District, good schools, and civic organizations which makes Bartlett a great place to thrive. I believe it is part of a Trustee job to plan for the future and safeguard the past.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?People that know me know I#146;m a man of my word and someone that gets involved. I believe in getting all the facts and views before making decisions. I also believe there are three ways to do things, the right way, the wrong way and the way no one has thought of yet. As a artist, I believe I will bring a unique perspective to the Village Board as a Trustee.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.Bartlett sales tax is fair. The businesses on the Cook County side pay a higher tax, and this directly puts a burden on our Cook County shops and restaurants. I hope one day Cook County will lower the business tax to attract more business.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.Bartlett has a very professional accredited police force that has keep and Village safe and away from most of the current statistics that harm nearby communities. Bartlett Fire District and EMS services are outside the Village's jurisdiction. My one concern is that no Ambulance service is currently staffed in the west side fire house. I believe in the continued cooperation with Hanover Township on emergency services and disaster issues.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?It is my understanding in the last year the Village has scaled back spending in direct correlation to the current economic environment. Some services have been cut to the bare bone, and others services considered to keep our Village in the black. One area I would increase would be our Economic Development dollars. If done right, this money will come back to the Village.What#146;s one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?I was thinking if the Village engaged selective Non-for-profit organizations, we could get a Bartlett Volunteer Corp together. Ideally one that parents and their kids can work together, for a good cause, for an annual event.