Village Board Candidates Choose Their Own Topic

Editor's Note: This is the eleventh and final in a series of articles Lake Zurich Patch has provided 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 hasn’t Lake Zurich Patch asked you about that might be important?

Mark Ernst

Supporting other events to attract business and visitors to Lake Zurich such as the triathlon, Alpine Days, and new events such farmers markets, art and craft fairs, out-door theatre, etc.

Collectively, I/we (LZ Vision) bring a professional approach and demeanor to the Village trustee position.  Our business experience, willingness to work hard and collaborate for the benefit of the Village’s residents makes us a positive alternative to our opponents.

Tom Poynton

I am an independent candidate who has no political ax to grind and who listens to and responds to the residents of Lake Zurich. I have immersed myself in the issues of this community and I will continue to do that.

Dana Rzeznik

I think all important issues have been addressed.

Jennifer Talley

I am vice president of operations at New Age Transportation located in Lake Zurich.  I began working for Carolyn Gable 18 years ago as her nanny; as the children got older I started with New Age and have been an integral part of our growth from $1 million in annual revenues to $30 million in annual revenues. I have worked in every position and focus on attaining goals.

I currently manage the entire operation; a staff of 40 employees; handle all human resources functions, all accounting functions, and work with all major accounts.  I am focused and dedicated to everything I do. I thrive on personal and professional growth through training, learning, and coaching. 

John Tolomei

There is a long-term need to address police and firefighter pension liability issues. Addressing these issues requires more than providing more funds to the plans. The actuarial basis under which these systems were founded has changed dramatically and so must the benefits that are provided under these plans must change accordingly. 

 In addition, we must seek legislative changes to court imposed interpretations of disability that have increased the liability under these plans. While it would be unfair to change pension benefits for those that already served under the terms of plans that were in existence, the generous benefits of the past must be rolled back for new hires to reflect the reality of increased life expectancy that caused private companies to abandon defined benefit pensions.