James McDonald: 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: Lake VillaWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Lake Villa Village Board (4-year Terms)Age: 53Family: Married, two children,three grandchildren Occupation: Residential Property ManagerEducation: Candidate did not respondCivic involvement: Civic Involvement :Celebration of Summer (Fireworks,Concert,Car show, etc.)St. Patrick,s Day ParadeEaster Egg HuntCivil War EncampmentTree Lighting CeremonyLake Villa Day,s VolunteerLake Villa Historical Society Director (2007-Present)Chamber of Commerce MemberElected offices held: Lake Villa Trustee, 1193 - PresentChairman of Finance (2009-Present)Chairman of Public Safety (1997-Present)Chairman of Public Property (1993-1997) (2001-2009)Plan commission zoning board of appeals (1989-1993)Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: No.Candidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Promote Business Growth to enhance are revenue.Key Issue 2 Continue to manage the budget to keep the village financially sound without cutting services.Key Issue 3 Continue to work on bringing Lake Michigan Water to Lake Villa.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?With my 20 years experience as a Trustee I can continue to promote business growth to enhance our revenue base and control residential growth (low density), to preserve our heritage and move into the future.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.The state controls our sales tax witch is 1%.Even in these hard economic times the village has seen a increase in revenue in the last year.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.Being the Chairman of Public Safety I am proud to say our police department is pro-active.We have emergency plans with all of our schools and business. We do community policing in Lake Villa. Our officers are visable on bicycle's, motorcycle's (spider), and police vehicles through out the village,parks and schools. That is one of the reasons why Lake Villa is 81% safer than other cities in the United StatesIn 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?Being Chairman of Finance, I can tell you we as a finance commitee go through every line item. We cut back everywhere possible without cutting services.We are always in need for money for roads and streets. The village only receives a limited amount of money from the state that goes into the Motor Fuel Tax Fund. This money can only be used for roads and streets, including purchasing road salt. This causes the village to add to the fund. It is our fiduciary responsibilty to make sure our department heads are staying with in thier budget.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?Out source a individual to search for grants and financial aid to help expand our budget.