Meet Your April 5 Candidates: Mary Marusek, Niles Trustee

"All politics is local" and "The closer to home, the greater the impact on your pocketbook" are two truisms in politics.

The candidates in local elections affect how much you pay in taxes, and what you get for your money, more than candidates in Springfield and Washington, D.C. 

So who are these folks who will impact your life and money? Find out here.

Accessibility: Citizens need to be able to contact their elected officials to voice their opinions, so Patch is noting how accessible they are. Mary Marusek's contact information is listed on whitepages.com.

Mary Marusek, Candidate for Village of Niles Trustee

1) How would you assess the state of the state of the village's budget? How should it balance the budget?

We are in a difficult situation now due to mistakes made in the past. We underfunded pensions and did not institute revenue sources such as insurance payments for Family Service charges or examining fee structures.  We have not pursued cost saving measures. Last year the Board directed the staff to find $200,000 in cost saving measures in the Niles Bus budget. There was an increase in PACE funds, but no actual cuts were made to expenses. Instead of following up on cuts, this year the Board just directed the staff to find $70,000 in savings. The Board needs to follow up this year.   It is going to be difficult to get pension contributions up to date but we need to do it by having up to date information, cutting expenses and by following up on all possible revenue sources which do not add to the taxpayers' burden.

2) What needs to be done to maintain or improve Niles' business, retail and industrial climate in the future?
The news that Grainger, a major employer in Niles, will be leaving Niles is very disturbing, but it provides an opportunity to plan for use in the industrial area.  Planning and aggressive action by the staff and Board in cooperation with organizations such as the Chamber will help address the needs of the business community.  

Advertising our award, as was discussed at the last Board meeting is great, but we need to be prepared to act immediately with plans to encourage businesses and industries that are interested in Niles. Ordinances and fees must constantly be reviewed to reflect changes in business situations. 

3) What, if anything, does the village need to do to adequately fund police and fire pensions? We must continue to make catch up payments and then keep the Village current.  We should never have gotten into this situation. In years when there was a significant cash reserve pension payments were not made.  Now that we are not adding to cash reserves but rather drawing from them to balance the budget, we are faced with fixing past mistakes.Open budget meetings, informed residents and adequate and current financial information will help

We also need to address the appointment and oversight of boards such as the Police and Fire Pension Board.  That is an area of ethics that was not addressed by the current Ethics Ordinance.  

4) Briefly tell us what, in your background or education, has prepared you to make a contribution on this board. Can you offer an expertise that would be a resource to other board members?

I would bring a background of experience as a Niles Park District Commissioner, serving as President, Vice President and Treasurer. I have worked in a financial capacity for several companies and as an employee of the financial department of a local municipality. Those experiences have provided me with an extensive background in budgeting and administrative experience.I also served as President of the League of Women Voters and in that capacity was involved in urging the Village of Niles to hold open budget meetings.  The League studied local issues and took action working for changes not only to Village policies but also in the Library and Niles Park District.

5) What is your top issue (or two or three) and what's your position on it (them)?

We must continue to address the financial problems --funding pensions, cutting expenses, continuing to provide good services and keeping Niles an affordable place to live.  We have been cutting services, raising fees and taxes and borrowing from cash reserves all without adequately involving residents.  We have budget meetings, but the residents are not allowed to ask questions or address issues such as revenue generating proposals or cuts in services.   Another crucial issue is continuing the ethics reform effort.  The new Ethics Ordinance addresses issues such as conflicts, gifts, and financial disclosures, but stops short of addressing appointments to boards and committees and oversight of committees.

6) Is there anything else would you like voters to know about your positions on issues, involvement in the community or point of view?

We do not have a history in Niles of having independent officials or having open, transparent government.  It is important to have more diversity on committees and on the Village Board.  We can make a significant step in that direction by electing independent candidates.