Beecher Village Board Candidate: Ronald S. Mazurek
Why did you decide to run for trustee? I’m running for Beecher Village Trustee to start a serious discussion on the aging village infrastructure, business recruitment, and fiscal spending.
Have you held Public Office before? Yes, I was elected twice as a Washington Township Community Building Board Manager serving the community for eight years. A few accomplishments that I participated in as a board member were floor repair, roof repair, tuckpointing, chair lift installed, painted, plaster work of interior walls, exterior landscaped, entertainment, and discount rental fees for Beecher residents. The community building budget is at a minimum of 90,000 a year. We completed the listed projects and had a remaining balance close to 50,000 left in the budget when my term ended in 2021. (673 Penfield Street)
I was elected twice as a Beecher 200U School Board member. I served as the Vice-President of the board (2017), Policy committee (Chair), Facilities committee, Transportation committee, and Negotiations committee. Some of my accomplishments as a board member there were window replacement, roof replacement, floor replacement, asbestos removal, ventilation/boiler replacement through HVAC, parking lot repair, team bus, new school buses, educational staff to meet student demand, video / audio of school board meetings, and Raptor security, which will detect if someone is entering the school building that is on any sex offender registration list. All of these items were ideas that I saw to fruition. They not only helped better the community as a whole but first and foremost provided for the well-being of our students, which are the next generations!
The school board oversees a budget of $14,000,000 a year. We have completed these projects, carefully, through phases. The district will still have close to $8,000,000 in reserves when my term ends. I always placed the kids first as a board member.
What is your background? I’m a current full time police officer serving as my department training officer while working for a part time police department a few times a month. I hold a Criminal Justice degree graduating with honors (Cum Laude), President of the Criminal Justice club, father of four children, Dylan (BHS 2014/current Police Officer), Brittney (BHS 2021/current Nursing student @ NIU), Christian and Noah are currently attending Beecher 200U. Stacy and I purchased our home here in the village in 2010.
What community involvement, organization, affiliations, or club memberships do you have? I’m a current member of the Lions Club and have worked in the past as a Beecher police Officer for nearly 10 years.
What characteristics, qualifications, or experience do you feel you possess to be a trustee? I believe my experience as an elected official through budgeting, planning, and policy has offered me the knowledge of how government works and the processes that need to be followed for a government to be successful. I have been on boards that have seen a minimal budget of $90,000 all the way up to $14,000,000 per year. However, the most important principle I learned as an elected official is that I work for the taxpayers who trust us to spend their tax monies fiscally, and to make decisions while providing exemplary services. One of my strongest characteristics is my integrity. I have a motto and obligation always to do right even when no one is looking.
How can the village board improve? I believe the village board needs to stop borrowing and adding debt to the yearly budget for years to come.
What are important issues you’d like to address and how will you address them? I would like to see the aging infrastructure such as waterlines, streets, sidewalks, and curbs be addressed. I would start a dialogue with the board implementing a long-term plan on addressing the infrastructure and implore the administration to reach out to our county, state, and federal representatives to secure grants that might be available to help off-set village infrastructure costs. We have to address it now, and stop kicking it down the road, before families leave the village for other communities.
The Penfield project that is occurring now has taken over eight years, maybe longer to finalize. These projects can’t wait any longer. They were important then and now.
Our business strategy has to be re-evaluated to make sure we’re not using outdated strategies to compete for small business with other communities. We must keep any future industrial park north of Church Rd. and not in the backyards of residents in the subdivision off Oak and Catalpa. Finally, we have to stop saturating the village with gaming/alcohol establishments, which hurt our current establishments that offer these services already. More family-oriented establishments should be the vision of our local leaders.
What are some improvements you’d like to see happen in Beecher? I would like to see a female police officer added to our police department through either a lateral or new hire process.
Anything else important you’d like people to know? An elected official must be an independent thinker and decision maker. A decision today can have a long-term negative or positive impact on a community. I have always made my decisions on the totality of the circumstances and not just by popular decision. I humbly ask for your vote to serve the village moving forward.
1 Comment
Illinois News
Classifieds
‘Catch the Twain’ Mark Twain Performance, May 19
Spread the loveWarren Brown, a former Park Forest resident, will portray Mark Twain in his award-winning Chautauqua-style program, “Catch the Twain” for the Park Forest Historical Society, on Sunday, May 19, at 2:30 p.m., in Park Forest Village Hall, 350 Victory Drive. The meeting also will include an Ice Cream Social to thank members, donors,…
Local Farmers Markets
Spread the loveTo help our readers, here are some Farmers Markets that are or will soon be available for your shopping convenience. If you know of a particularly good one that we’ve not listed, please feel free to email “The Vedette,” at newsdesk@thevedette.com, so we can add it to our weekly list. Happy shopping! •Beecher:…
Beecher Police Blotter: April 19
Spread the loveDisclaimer: Charges against each defendant are merely accusations, with all defendants presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. On April 19, Sergejus Patasovas, 25, of the 11100 block of S. 84th Avenue, Palos Hills, was stopped at 730 Dixie Highway for having only one Illinois license plate and also found…
Beecher Community Library News
Spread the loveCall the library at 708-946-9090 for programs that require registration. Through May 30, visit the library to view its gallery of tiny art from more than 100 Beecher patrons! Outdoor Used Book Sale: A number of used books are for sale for $1 each, and are on the front veranda, including those for…
Bobcat Baseball 4-1 for Week
Spread the loveMonday, May 6, the Beecher Bobcat baseball team began their week with a 15-3 victory over Gardner-South Wilmington. With a little help from GSW, who racked-up 7 errors, along with allowing the Bobcats 8 free passes to first, Beecher managed to score 15 runs, on only 8 hits. A.J. Snell earned the victory…
34th Annual Rhubarb Festival May 19
Spread the loveThe Kankakee County Museum at Small Memorial Park, 801 S. Eighth Avenue in Kankakee, will host their 34th annual Rhubarb Festival on Sunday, May 19, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This year’s festivities include a wide variety of vendors, a dime toss, kids’ zone, pie-eating contest, live entertainment, plus tours of the…
Bike Safety Rodeo June 1
Spread the loveRain or shine, the Beecher Police Department will host it annual free Bike Safety Rodeo for children 13 years and younger, on Saturday, June 1, in the fire department parking lot. Registration is from 8:30 to 9 a.m., with the rodeo beginning at 9 a.m. (No registration after 9:15 a.m.) Come and join…
Board Authorizes Ordinance to Better Serve Farming Community
Spread the loveOn April 18, the Will County Board authorized an ordinance change to better serve its farming community. This change assists farm truck drivers by making permits available that allow for the movement of agricultural commodities, without being subject to fines they may otherwise incur. Prior to the change of this ordinance, drivers faced…
FHOF Cardiology Hosting Free Smoking Cessation Meetings
Spread the loveFranciscan Health Cardiology Olympia Fields is hosting free weekly smoking cessation group meetings aimed at helping smokers kick the habit. Meetings help smokers learn proven strategies for success in quitting for good, develop a personal plan for quitting, minimize withdrawal symptoms, and begin living a new, healthy lifestyle. The group meetings are held…
Police Chiefs Association Holding Law Enforcement Memorial Day May 9
Spread the loveThe 43rd annual Law Enforcement Memorial Day, sponsored by the Police Chiefs Association of Will County, is scheduled for Thursday, May 9. Details of the event were announced by Tracy Chapman, president of the Association and deputy director of the Forest Preserve District of Will County. The event will begin with a 10:30…
Collection Event to be Held May 11 in Beecher
Spread the love The Will County Land Use Department’s Resource Recovery and Energy Division will host a collection event from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., on Saturday, May 11, in Beecher. Electronics, hazardous waste, and liquids, including motor oil and paint, will be collected. A maximum of two TVs and 15 gallons of paint will…
Attention Seniors: Community Nutrition Network/Senior Services Association Announce Newest Location
Spread the loveCommunity Nutrition Network and Senior Services Association is thrilled to announce the grand opening of its newest location, New Hope Christian Community Church, 4700 W. Court Street, Monee, which is scheduled for June 7, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Community Nutrition Network and Senior Services Association invites the community to celebrate this…
Will County Holding Annual Textiles, Small Home Goods Collection May 6-10
Spread the loveWill County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant invites residents to the annual Textile and Small Home Goods Collection Event at the Will County Office Building, 302 North Chicago Street, Monday, May 6 through Friday, May 10. A wide range of items will be collected for reuse and recycling during the week, including coats, shirts, pants,…
Mother’s Day Basket Bingo May 11
Spread the loveMark your calendar for “Mother’s Day Basket Bingo,” the bi-annual basket bingo fundraiser for Flight Club Survivor. This fun event will be held on Saturday, May 11, with doors opening at 5 p.m. and bingo at 6 p.m., at 209 W. Dixie Highway in Grant Park. Tickets are $20 per person for the…
Beecher Community Library News
Spread the loveCall the library at 708-946-9090 for programs that require registration. May 2 – May 30: Visit the library for their gallery of tiny art from more than 100 Beecher patrons! Available any time. Outdoor Used Book Sale: A number of used books are for sale, for $1 each, on the front veranda. There…
Beecher needs some balance within our local government body. I believe Ron Mazurek would be an asset to our village as Trustee. With Ron’s knowledge and experience, he is more than capable to bring a fresh new perspective on village affairs moving forward.