Bryan Muskat: 2021 candidate for Green Oaks trustee

5 candidates for 3 seats

Bio

City: Green Oaks

Age: 60

Occupation: Manufacturing with Triangle Package Machinery Company

Civic involvement: Board Trustee & stewardship volunteer

Q&A

Q: How do you view your role in confronting the pandemic: provide leadership even if unpopular, give a voice to constituents - even ones with whom you disagree, or defer to state and federal authorities?

A: I believe in leading by example. In my business and at village board meetings we have been very proactive in keeping the community safe, staying abreast of changing COVID protocols, and doing what we can to prevent the spread of COVID. Face mask, restrictions on social gatherings are all necessary to help control the spread of this infection.

Q: Did your town continue to adequately serve its constituents during the disruptions caused by the pandemic? If so, please cite an example of how it successfully adjusted to providing services. If not, please cite a specific example of what could have been done better.

A: Our Village board has done an outstanding job staying accessible to our constituents.

Meetings are all hosted on a Zoom meeting platform allowing most residents to participate in our meetings as though they were at Village Hall. Our Village Hall has remained open during the entire pandemic; the staff has remained in the office to meet or speak with any resident. There has been no loss of functionality due to the pandemic.

Q: In light of our experiences with COVID-19, what safeguards/guidelines should you put in place to address any future public health crises?

A: It appears that face masks will be a part of our lives for the foreseeable future when engaged in group activities or confined spaces. They are very effective to help stop the spread of viruses, etc. In addition, as we've learned to work remotely, self-quarantining should be considered after traveling from identified "hot spots."

Q: What cuts can local government make to reduce the burden of the pandemic on taxpayers?

A: This is a difficult question and is being face by a large number of people today. While their income may have been negatively impacted by COVID, ongoing expenses at the government level continue. Public services must be maintained, roads plowed of snow or potholes filled. Green Oaks has always been conservatively managed. It wasn't until 2019 that a municipal tax was established with all the funds being earmarked to a road rehabilitation program. If we nee to cut back in areas, vehicle stickers and the utility tax are two areas that can be rolled back until this pandemic is behind us. They directly impact our constituents and provide a modest amount of income to the Village.

Q: What do you see as the most important infrastructure project you must address? Why and how should it be paid for? Conversely, during these uncertain economic times, what infrastructure project can be put on the back burner?

A: In Green Oaks there is a section of Rt. 176 between Bradley road on the west and the Glenmore subdivision on the east that narrows from a four lane configuration to two lanes. There are two major train lines crossing through this section of roadway and lots of truck traffic turning off and onto the highway. Traffic backups are common as a result. We should work with county/state and federal authorities to eliminate this bottleneck. Through the Villages TIF District we are already working on (and funding) the Phase 1 engineering to help facilitate the widening of the roads if funding becomes available. We are trying to make this a shovel ready project. The Village is pretty much a "pay as you" go to support Village projects. If the money isn't there the projects are deferred until we can fund them.

The Village is fortunate that the road rehabilitation plan is being funded through bonds that were issued as a result of our implementing a municipal tax.

Q: Do you plan to address businesses that don't adhere to the governor's order to close or restrict business?

A: These businesses have been put into a terrible financial burden as a result of these governor's orders. I believe the businesses should be allowed to stay open as long as they follow guidelines on occupancy rates, require masks and people can stay socially distant. People can choose for themselves whether they feel comfortable going to these places or staying home.

Q: Do you agree or disagree with the stance your board/council has taken on permitting recreational marijuana sales in the community? What would you change about that stance, if you could?

A: Our board voted to prohibit recreational sales in our community which I fully support. We just don't have the appropriate "business district" that is far enough away from local schools and neighborhoods.

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

A: We really try to put our ideas on the table at our annual Village strategy meeting. They may be able to be addressed right away, but at least we discuss them. I'd like to see our hiking/biking trail system expanded. They're a great way to get outdoors and be active while avoiding the major roadways.