Mark Senak: Candidate profile

Bio

Name: Mark Senak

City: Glen Ellyn, Illinois

Office sought: Village Trustee

Age: 57

Family: Married for 31 years to Laura Senak. Three sons: Alex (24); Nicholas (22); William (20).

Occupation: Attorney. Founding member Senak, Keegan, Gleason & Smith, Ltd.

Education: Indiana University: Bachelor of Science, English and Psychology, DePaul College of Law: Juris Doctor

Civic involvement: DuPage County PADS, Volunteer, DuPage County Bar Association: Lawyer-to-Lawyer Mentoring Program, Glen Ellyn Architectural Review Commission (2013 - 2015)

Previous elected offices held: Glen Ellyn Village Trustee

Incumbent? If yes, when were you first elected? 2015

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Issue questions

What are the most important issues facing your community and how do you intend to address them?

Promoting economic development while maintaining the integrity and character of the Village. We can achieve both by using financial incentives, such as funds generated from the TIF districts, to proactively recruit specific businesses, such as a downtown grocery store, that complement and integrate into the fabric our community as defined by our Zoning Code, the Village's planning documents (Comprehensive Plan, Strategic Plan, etc.), and the vision and desires expressed by our residents. If we fail, it is because we lack the creativity and grit to succeed.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

Experience and Passion. Over the last four years that I have served as Trustee, I have developed a knowledge of municipal finance, budgeting, and staffing needed to do the job as Trustee effectively. I will use that experience to help the current and newly elected Board members and Village staff to better serve the residents of our community. I have also seen what a tremendous gift we have been given by our predecessors and the tremendous opportunity we have to enhance the quality of life for our residents and future generations. We have the resources. We have the people. If we engage, motivate, and empower our current residents, we can sustain the prosperity we have for the next generation.

Describe your leadership style and explain how you think that will be effective in producing actions and decisions with your village board or city council.

I try to approach each issue with no preconceived ideas or outcome. I actively seek input from our residents and the business community. When there are divergent views, I look for a common interest and from there build a consensus that reflects the will of the broadest segment of our Village residents. I apply the rule of law as reflected in our Village ordinances and do so evenly and without bias toward any group or individual. I consult the planning documents developed by former Boards, using the content as a guide for discerning what is in the best interest of our Village. I conduct my own research to obtain independent empirical data to validate any assumptions that are part of the analysis. I then proceed with the understanding that we may need to adapt to changing conditions as we implement the plan.

How would you describe the condition of your community's budget, and what are the most important specific actions the town should take to assure providing the level of services people want?

The financial condition of the Village is strong. Thanks to the stewardship of prior Boards and the hard work of our Village staff, we enjoy a AAA bond rating and cash reserve levels in our respective funds that are near or above the target levels. We continue to attract new business; 23 new business opened in our Village last year. But, simply because we have enjoyed prosperity does not mean we are entitled to prosperity. We should strive to broaden our tax base by attracting and retaining businesses and diversifying our housing stock to reduce reliance on property taxes as a source of revenue. We have to strategically use technology to efficiently allocate our human resources, thereby minimizing our pension liability.

We also have to innovate. For example, we created the Glen Ellyn Fund, a new model for municipal finance. Formed in conjunction with the DuPage Foundation, the Glen Ellyn Fund is a vehicle by which philanthropic-minded residents can fund municipal projects that would otherwise be paid for with tax dollars.

What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?

Opening a tavern at Stacy's Tavern for the annual Tavern Day festival. Friday Night Lights at Glenbard West once a year. More public art. A piazza, instead of more apartments, in the central business district.