Kelly Mazeski: 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: Barrington HillsWebsite: http://Will be up soonOffice sought: Barrington Hills Village Board (4-year Terms)Age: 53Family: Husband and two children, ages 22 and 19Occupation: Community VolunteerEducation: BS Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, INCivic involvement: Barrington Hills Plan Commission member, 4/2011 - present. North Barrington Village Trustee 3/2004 - 4/2005 (moved to Barrington Hills when my appointment expired), North Barrington Zoning Board of Appeals Vice Chairman and Board Member 1994 - 2004, Barrington Area Conservation Trust member, Citizens for Conservation member. President of Northern Door Neighbors Association, Door County, WI, 8/2012 - present.Elected offices held: Candidate did not respond.Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: In 1996, nearly 17 years ago, at an event where there was abuse of horses and other animals involving electric cattle prods, I participated in a protest and was arrested for disturbing the peace. I believed that I was innocent and the justice system agreed.Candidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 The residents of Barrington Hills have made it clear that they value the open space, rural character and privacy that their village provides. Preserving these unique qualities by keeping the current zoning regulations in place is essential. Protecting our 5-acre zoning while avoiding any type of "feathering" on our boarders, is of utmost importance, and requires thoughtful and careful stewardship.Key Issue 2 The village has not raised property taxes in the last four years. We must maintain the current tax levy along with the high level of services and protection that the village provides to its residents. It is important to note that on a dollar per acre basis, Barrington Hills has one of the lowest tax bases for municipal services in the area.Key Issue 3 Communication between village government and residents is something that can always be improved. We must have regularly scheduled town hall meetings between the board and residents to discuss current topics of interest. I also support having a resident's forum on the village website where questions, answers and ideas can be exchanged with other residents and village officials. By doing these things, we can insure that the public is fully informed on how their village government is operating.Questions Answers Is the village taking appropriate steps to maintain its uniqueness in the region, or has such uniqueness become too costly to maintain?The village is vigilant about being informed of what is going on in neighboring communities and the four counties Barrington Hills encompasses, especially regarding how their actions could impact our community. The fact that our village has maintained its 5-acre zoning without raising property taxes over the last four years while maintaining a balanced budget, illustrates that it is financially feasible to provide what our residents value most - open space.The village has debated various forms of regulation in recent years. Is there a general philosophy on regulation that should be applied toward all present and future concerns?Regulation requires walking a fine line between giving residents the freedom to do what they want, while also protecting the interests of neighbors whose quality of life and property values may be affected by the actions of others. Village government must be cognizant of overregulation and carefully deliberate any new ordinance being considered. As a believer in transparency in government, I support public hearings for any major change in regulation.What is your position on the horse-boarding controversy? Explain.Horses have been part of the Barrington Hills area for nearly 100 years. Not everyone that owns a horse can properly take care of it, so facilities that take care of our neighbors' horses are an important pillar in our community. The comprehensive plan calls the village a rural equestrian community. Facilities that care for horses in the village are regulated by the Home Occupation ordinance.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?Spending in Barrington Hills has been at a constant level for the past several years. The last time there was a significant increase in the budget was due to an extremely under funded road maintenance program that barely existed. The bulk of the current budget goes to police protection/public safety, road management and land use protection. Very little revenue comes from commercial property due to our residents' preference for open space. As a village trustee, I will act as a fiscal watchdog in protecting the taxpayers and how their money is spent.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?There is a need to educate our residents about the supply and quality of their water in Barrington Hills since our village sits on a large aquifer, the Spring Creek Watershed. Enlightening homeowners on how our current 5-acre zoning, along with limited, thoughtful development in Barrington Hills aids in protecting their water source, should be a priority.