Mark Wissing

On the Record

What experiences do you have that make you a good candidate for office?

I’ve worked in the construction trades as a union carpenter, electrician, locksmith and project manager over 40 years. Construction jobs have taken me to 36 states and a variety of projects including nuclear power plants, skyscrapers, dairies, wastewater treatment facilities, and railroad fueling yards. My experiences dealing with construction contracts have uniquely prepared me for the position of Highway Commissioner. I’ve lived in Geneva most of my life and love being a member of this community. In 2005 I decided to run for the Town Board and was elected as a Trustee from 2005 – 2009. During those 4 years I served with nearly a perfect attendance record. As a Trustee I learned the inside details about the workings of the Road District and witnessed major inefficiencies. Seeing the problems associated with the management side of the system I envisioned how to improve the operation. After sharing my ideas with the other three Trustees they unanimously encouraged me to enter the race and with their support I was elected Commissioner in 2009. I am a good choice to manage the Road District because I have a solid 3-point plan outlined below, for the next 4 years.

What are your top three priorities if elected?

1. I plan to focus my efforts on the roadways in the district that are deteriorating in the four major subdivisions of Mill Creek, Spring Green, Old Kirk Road, and The Leas. The first step is to repair the asphalt that is cracked. Repairs are required first to prevent a condition called reflection. Reflection is the transfer of the old cracks to the new surface when the new surface is applied. Next I will resurface about 3 miles of those roadways. 2. Over the last 4 years I have been monitoring the water drainage system in the district. Water is not moving away from some properties because those areas have not been re-worked in 30 years or more. I have prepared a plan to complete repairs needed to the ditch systems by re-sculpting the ground and replacing rapidly deteriorating culverts. 3. I am excited to be working with local units of government to develop a new bike path along Wenmoth Road and McKee Street to complete the missing link. The plan is to build a green and safe connection from the Geneva trail system to the Batavia system.

Would you support freezing your taxing district’s levy until housing prices rebound? Why or why not?

This is a difficult period of time with falling property values and rising cost. The money needed to ensure a safe and dependable roadway is going up in part to State and Federal mandates that are required by law. The cost of insurance is also driving the expenses up. I did not raise the Tax Levy next year to service the roads and I will continue to hold the line as long as it is responsible to do so. The road District maintains the entire system on $290,000.00 tax dollars annually. This money is used to care for the roads in the unincorporated portions of Geneva Township including 10 miles of subdivision streets. Services the Highway Department provides are snow plowing, road maintenance, sidewalks, street lights, trees, curbs, signage, shoulders, ditches, culverts, four bridges, mailboxes, insurance, professional services, and more.

What one decision by the township board do you most disagree with and why?

I was elected to the Geneva Town Board as a Trustee from 2005 – 2009 and enjoyed the time I served and would recommend the experience to others. Currently I am not a member of that board and it would be inappropriate for me to comment on their goals and objectives.

What was the biggest accomplishment of the board in the past year?

The Town Board of Trustees does not manage the Geneva Township Road District. The Township Road District is a separate unit of government that has its own Levy and Budget. The Township Board is responsible to audit and approve the Road District’s bills for payment. The accomplishments I want to highlight as Commissioner are described in the next response.

Why should voters elect you to office?

As the incumbent Highway Commissioner I am very proud of my accomplishments over the last 4 years and some of my achievements are listed below. I reduced the cost of the operation approximately $350,000.00 through careful management of resources, at the same time providing a safe driving experience for the public. I applied for $406,000.00 of stimulus grant money from Geneva’s three State Representatives (Schmitz, Hatcher, and Fortner) and from the State Bridge fund administered by the Kane County Board. To date the Geneva Road District has been approved for $316,000.00 in grants. Using the grant money and savings I have repaved almost 3 miles of roadway, replaced Wenmoth Road bridge over Mill Creek, all of the regulatory signs, many culverts, repaired ditches & shoulders, restriped roads, trimmed the parkway trees, removed scores of Ash Trees, developed a Web Site, created a new permit process, and more. I have worked hard to care for the road system under my control and I would like to continue managing it ensuring that it meets Geneva’s high standards. I would be honored to have your VOTE. Thank you Mark T. Wissing.