Meet Mark Senak: Glen Ellyn Village President Candidate

GLEN ELLYN, IL — Mark Senak is running for Glen Ellyn Village President in the 2021 Consolidated Election, which is April 6. Below, you'll find Senak's answers to the Patch candidate questionnaire.

If you are a candidate for the April election, and would like to answer our Patch candidate questionnaire, email lisa.farver@patch.com.

Mark Senak

Age (as of Election Day)

59

Town/City of Residence

Glen Ellyn

Office Sought

Village President

Party Affiliation (if a partisan race)

Non-partisan race

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No.

Education

Indiana University: BA English/Psychology DePaul College of Law: Juris Doctor

Occupation

Attorney

Campaign website

Don't have one.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

2019 – Present Glen Ellyn Village Trustee
2015 – 2019 Glen Ellyn Village Trustee
2020 - Present Milton Township Precinct Committeeperson

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

To promote economic development, while still maintaining the charm and character of our Village. To achieve this balance, I intend to listen to our residents. They know best what type of Village they want to live in. I intend to rely on the planning documents that were prepared by prior Boards, and the content of our Zoning Ordinances. I intend to draw upon the professionalism and competency of our Village staff. Finally, I intend to pray to God that He gives me the guidance and wisdom to do what is best for our community.

Do you support Black Lives Matter and what are your thoughts on the demonstrations held since the death of George Floyd and the shooting of Jacob Blake?

I support peaceful protest and free speech for any person or group who seeks to bring attention to injustice in any form. It is unfortunate that some use these tragic events to justify violence. Martin Luther King Jr. confronted racism without ever looting a single store. Mahatma Gandhi brought down the most powerful empire in the world without ever firing a single shot. Malala Yousafzai, who was targeted by the Taliban for her resistance to its oppression of women and girls, never set fire to a single business on her way to winning the Nobel Peace Prize. Violent protest does not advance the discussion on how these incidents can be avoided and how we can eliminate racism, bigotry, and hatred from our society.

Do you think the current board has done enough to support racial equality, and if not, what specifically should be done to do so?

We have taken some positive steps, but there is still work to be done. The Village passed a Resolution denouncing bigotry, hatred, and discrimination, and we have polices that prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability. The Village also recently participated in a multi-session webinar with other stakeholders in the community on diversity, equality, and inclusion.

These are important steps, but resolutions and seminars without action is mere appeasement. If elected, I will begin by staffing the Community Relations Commission, which was formed in 1975, but has been inactive for years. The Community Relations Commission will be staffed by residents and tasked with, among other things, advising the Board on ways to eliminate racism, sexism, and inequality in our Village. It will further serve as a point of contact for residents who feel they have nowhere to go to express their concerns. Finally, the Human Relations Commission will work collaboratively with other community groups and state, federal and county agencies with similar objectives.

What are your thoughts on the national and local coronavirus response? Do you favor measures such as limiting operation of non-essential businesses and restricting indoor/outdoor dining? And do you favor a local mask mandate?

I lack the medical training or background to determine public health policy. So, I defer to the judgment of the doctors and scientists at the federal, state, and county levels to determine what steps should be taken to contain the pandemic. I do believe that whatever limitations are proposed should be shown to effective at containing the virus and should apply equally to everyone. I also believe there is a balance that can be achieved that limits the spread of the virus, while allowing schools and businesses to remain open.

What are your thoughts on the state and local coronavirus vaccine distribution, and how do you think local governments should work together to handle vaccine rollout?

Whatever we can do, we must do. This is not a time for partisan politics. This is a time for all levels of government to work together. We must make available to federal, state, and county officials every resource we have at the municipal level to speed the distribution of the vaccine.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I have a different vision of our Village than my opponent. When I walk down Main Street, I see the panorama of the night sky and the moon silhouetted against the Civic Center cupola. I see families gathered waiting for Santa to lite the Christmas tree, or kids trick-or treating free of traffic and congestion that over-development can bring. When my opponent walks down Main Street, he sees how big of a building can be built on that block, or how many more cars can be parked on that street. I believe we can have smart development that diversifies our housing stock and encourage desirable retail development, while still preserving the charm and character of our downtown.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

We have not done a good enough job of listening to our residents. This is their community. Our task is to reflect the will of our residents in the policies of the Village, not to dictate to them what type of town they should live in.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

Deployment of 5G wireless technology in the Village has far-reaching implications for our community. The technology is desirable because it is important to ensure our schools and businesses remain competitive. But there are also potential health consequences to our residents that must be addressed. Furthermore, it remains unclear how much control local governments will have over 5G deployment or whether state and federal guidelines will preempt local regulation.

Developing a spectrum of affordable housing is also important, so young families can afford to move to Glen Ellyn and senior residents can afford to stay in the Village. Our Village has done a good job of complying with the Illinois Affordable Housing Act, but those standards should be viewed as the floor, not the ceiling. If we want to promote diversity, inclusiveness, and economic growth, we need to do more so people who want to live in Glen Ellyn can afford to live in Glen Ellyn.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

During my two terms as Village Trustee, every budget we produced has complied with our tax cap philosophy. I supported smart development, such Avere on Duane and Glenwood Station on the prior McChesney and Miller site, and opposed development that was inconsistent with our Comprehensive Plan or zoning ordinances. I have supported our Police Department, keeping Glen Ellyn one of the safest communities in the area.

I was an advocate for establishing Innovation DuPage in the Civic Center, which is an incubator and accelerator program for small business in partnership with the College of DuPage, the County, and Chose DuPage business alliance. I supported establishing the Glen Ellyn Fund, a new model for municipal finance, whereby philanthropic-minded residents can contribute to the beautification and development of the Village.

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office as a success?

My goal is to make everyone around me better at what they do. If at the end of my term, our Village staff is better at serving our residents, that would be a success. If the Village works more cooperatively with our school districts, Park District, the Collage of DuPage, and Milton Township, that would be a success.

If we have a reduced carbon footprint and created an energy-neutral wastewater plant, that would be a success. If we are a more diverse, tolerant, inclusive community, that would be a success. If we have established more affordable housing options, that would be a success. If we have created a green space in our downtown, that would be a success. If we finish the East Branch River Trial, that would be a success.

Why should voters trust you?

Because I am a Glen Ellyner. I want the same things our other residents want. I want a safe community, where our children can walk to school, ride their bikes, and play in our parks. I want a a Village that respects the environment and is steward of our natural resources. I want a Village that is culturally diverse and inclusive, where people can live free of discrimination, hatred, and bigotry.

I want an open and transparent government, where residents can bring their concerns and know we will help them solve their problems, and not be their adversary. I want a community where business thrives, and entrepreneurs and small businesses are nurtured and encouraged. I want a charming, historic downtown that reflects our small-town character, while providing our residents modern infrastructure and facilities

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the use of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking?

We are stewards of our residents’ tax dollars. I start every budget cycle with the premise that the property tax levy will remain flat. From there, I look at what needs to be done to maintain the level of service our residents expect, and to provide for the maintenance and upkeep of the Village infrastructure. I then look at what projects or services can improve the quality of life for our residents. I next look at whether our revenue sources will continue to provide the resources to meet our needs. Finally, I prioritize expenditures, so we get the most value out of the available tax dollars.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family?

No.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

“You never really understand a person until you consider things from their point of view . . . until you climb into their skin and walk around in it.” Atticus Finch, To Kill a Mockingbird.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

My philosophy is first, do no harm. We are fortunate to have a great community. The first goal is not to tarnish what so many before us have worked so hard to build. Next, polish the jewel. Take what we have been given and improve it, make it better. Finally, do something special. Make Glen Ellyn better for the next generation and the generations that follow.