Candidates Identify Village's Strengths, Weaknesses

Editor's Note: This is the tenth in a series of articles Lake Zurich Patch will provide about Village Board candidates' views on key issues within the village. All five candidates were given a questionnaire and had the same amount of time to prepare and submit their answers. Their answers are presented in their own words. The order of their responses will rotate with each article so that each candidate is fairly represented.

Five candidates are seeking to fill five available posts on the Lake Zurich Village Board in the Tuesday, April 5 consolidated election. 

Incumbent Tom Poynton and former Mayor John Tolomei are running as independents. Mark Ernst, Dana Rzeznik and Jennifer Talley are running as part of the LZ Vision party along with incumbent Kathleen Johnson, who is running unopposed for village clerk.

Following are their answers, in their own words, to the question:

What are the village’s greatest strengths and weaknesses?

John Tolomei

Strengths: One of the village’s greatest strengths is a civic-minded populace highly motivated to improve the village. Another strength is a good village staff that provides quality services in an efficient manner.

In addition there is the lake that provides serenity and interest to the village and that can anchor Lake Zurich’s downtown as a destination. Strength also lies in the many active community groups that support and promote social, spiritual, charitable and business activities throughout the community. These groups include the Lions Club, the Rotary Club, the Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce, food pantries through various churches such as Saint Francis, and many more.

Weaknesses: One weakness is a languishing downtown area that is a drain on the tax base of the village. There also is a need to fill business space in the Route 12 corridor.

Another weakness arises when members of the Village Board attack other board members and give a perception of turmoil in the village that will drive away investors and lower the village’s credit rating.

Mark Ernst

Strengths: Lake Zurich is a community that has great neighborhoods for raising families, terrific schools for our kids, and is close enough to Chicago and Milwaukee to have access to big city culture and amenities. The village has terrific local amenities such as excellent shopping, parks and local recreation venues.

Weaknesses: The greatest weakness of the village was its failure to effectively plan in the past and provide adequate reserves for the future. Past administrations took the easy action of not making tough decisions and leveling with the residents. They spoke as if everything was OK when it wasn’t.  That has created a hole the current administration must dig out of and restore credibility that was lost because of those actions.

Tom Poynton

Strengths: Its school district and interested concerned parents. It’s neighborhoods which are wonderful mini-communities in their own right and it’s strong retail mix that provides most of what the community wants.

Weaknesses: Self-interested, NIMBY issue politics that distract from the real work and progress being accomplished. We need more interested concerned residents from every neighborhood. We need to better tap the talent that exists in this community.

Dana Rzeznik

Strengths: There are many good reasons our village has been named one of the best places in the country to raise a family. We have an excellent school system, lots of activities for children to enjoy (sports, parks, ball fields). The village provides a high level of municipal services to all residents. 

Our police and fire departments are, in my opinion, the best anywhere and make Lake Zurich a very safe place to live. The village staff is a group of talented and dedicated professionals who have been asked over and over to do more with less and stepped up to the plate.

Weaknesses: The residents of Lake Zurich should get more involved in decisions that affect everyone in the village. Hardly anybody comes to the board meetings and only a handful of people showed up to the town hall meetings regarding the non-home rule sales tax increase.  We need to find ways for the residents to want to participate in the decision-making.

Jennifer Talley

Strengths: We live in a great community with a mix of residents and businesses. Our public areas are always kept clean and inviting. Most importantly, the village does an excellent job keeping our community safe.       

Weaknesses: The communication to the residents especially in regards to our current financial condition. Being welcoming and friendly to new businesses.