Randy Tack: Lake Forest Mayor Candidate Profile

LAKE FOREST, IL — Ahead of the April 4 municipal elections, Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Patch provided questionnaires to all three candidates running for Lake Forest mayor.

Sanford "Randy" Tack, Prue Biedler and Paul Hamann are on the ballot seeking a two-year term as mayor to succeed George Pandaleon at the completion of his maximum two terms.

A 2002 referendum extending mayoral term limits in Lake Forest from three one-year terms to a pair of two-year terms was approved by voters with nearly 90 percent of the vote.

Tack is running with the endorsement of the Lake Forest Caucus's 43-member committee, despite being rejected by about two-thirds of participating Caucus members at the group's annual meeting in November. Biedler and Hamann are running as independent candidates.

The Caucus has also slated candidates for each of the city's wards, and all four men are running unopposed. They include one incumbent — Ara Goshgarian, 3rd Ward— and three newcomers: Terence Mieling in the 1st Ward, John Powers in the 2nd Ward and Richard Walther in the 4th Ward. Candidates running for school boards in Lake Forest High School District 115 and Lake Forest School District 67 are also unopposed.

The local chapter of the League of Women Voters is hosting a mayoral candidate forum at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Gorton Community Center, 400 E. Illinois Road, Lake Forest.

Earlier this month, a co-president of the League of Women Voters of Lake Forest-Lake Bluff said all three candidates have expressed interest in participating, but one of them had not yet signed off on the rules of the forum. If the third candidate does not agree to the rules then they will not be allowed to participate. Patch asked which candidate has not agreed to the rules and has yet to hear back.

Patch is publishing all candidate responses verbatim in the order in which they are received.

Sanford Tack

Age (as of Election Day)
64

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?
No

Education
B.S. Biology Univ.of Ill., M.D. (Honors) Univ. of Ill

Occupation
Orthopedic Spine Surgeon, 32 years

Campaign Website
Tackformayor.com

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office
Alderman Lake Forest, Chairman Public Works Committee, Chairman Fire Services Committee, Chairman Central Business District Working Group

The most pressing issues facing our (board, district, etc.) are _______, and this is what I intend to do about them.

Controlled development is the most pressing issue affecting our City. Our structure of government is well suited to addressing this through its Boards and Commissions staffed by qualified volunteers. As Mayor I will appoint appropriate members to the Boards and Commissions and, with the City Council, shepherd the process of development in a manner respectful of our City’s unique history and character.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
The differences between the other candidates and myself are many, including: I have extensive background in management in both the public and private sectors. My opponents have little to no such experience. While Alderman, I served as Chairman of Public Works and the Fire Services Committee. My opponents have held no such positions. As a practicing physician, I have extensive experience in critical thinking, problem solving, and responsible decision-making in the interest of others. My opponents have little to no such experience.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform
I will continue to focus on fiscal responsibility and retention of our AAA bond rating. I will focus City efforts on maintenance of infrastructure and improvement of infrastructure, most notably storm water management

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
As Alderman, I was the leader in successfully addressing rapidly escalating public safety pension payments which threatened to strangle our City budget. My work led to a two-tiered approach involving pre-payment and a fixed public safety pension fee which will result in an affordable and flat annual pension payment by 2025

Why should voters trust you?
Voters should trust me for the same reason that our City Staff trust me: I am honest, ethical, absolutely non-partisan in City affairs, and I take responsibility for my decisions.

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office as a success?
My term will be a success because we will maintain our financial stability, our infrastructure will be better than when I took office, development will proceed respectful of our history and character, and we will remain the best-run city in the State of Illinois.

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the handling of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking?
It is essential to our City to retain our AAA bond rating. This is accomplished by maintaining stable revenue streams, spending in line with reserves and revenues, and thoughtful forward planning. Taxpayer dollars must never be spent on poorly-planned projects or ill-advised litigation. Our transparent government structure, run by professionals and volunteers, provides proper oversight for wise expenditure of tax revenues.

What is your view of the city's/village's approach to commercial and residential development?
Our approach to development balances growth and modernization with respect for our unique character and architectural history. The Mayor’s role is to shepherd this process via our boards, commissions, and City Council.

When it comes to development, what are some key areas for improvement or additions you feel are most wanted by residents? What will need to be done to make this happen?
The most pressing concerns for development relate to replacing obsolete structures and repurposing structures whose functions have changed. I am Chairman of our CBD Planning Committee where we are developing conceptual guidelines for the development that will likely occur over the next ten years. These guidelines will help to ensure that development occurs in a fashion compatible with our local culture, character, and historic architecture.

Do you support the statewide Illinois assault weapons ban, and would you support a local assault weapons ban in this community?
Not applicable

What are your thoughts on the crime rate in your community, and what more can be done to combat crime in town?
Unfortunately, the increased crime in Chicago and the non-enforcement policies of surrounding communities have begun to affect our traditionally safe community. Our police are frustrated by lack of prosecution of individuals from outside our community who commit crimes here. We, like most Illinois communities, now have an officer retention problem. As Mayor, I will visibly and vocally support our Law Enforcement Officers, and will ensure that we collaborate with neighboring communities to enhance law enforcement.

Do you support the SAFE-T Act? Why or why not?
Not applicable

Do you think the city government has done enough to support racial equality? If not, what changes should be made?
Not applicable

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:
Treat others the way you would like to be treated.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
The role I seek is a volunteer position, Mayor of Lake Forest. My agenda is simple: Ensure that Lake Forest remains a non-partisan government and continues to be the best-run government in the State of Illinois.