Mark Adams

On the Record

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

I’ve often worked with groups of people who share common goals, serving on my church board and on many university committees. As part of my research I’ve also planned many facets of experimental facilities at Fermilab.

What are your top two or three priorities if elected?

My family has had a wonderful experience using the library and I want to see the library continue to function for families in Geneva. I will work to keep the library viable as a downtown hub. The last survey of public opinion about the library services and possible facility expansion occurred in 2003. I’d like to help the board complete a new survey. I’m also comfortable with changing technology and want to make sure that the library takes advantage of this.

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

It is the responsibility of any trustee to work to make sure that the levy is enough to support the desired library services. The library has been able to maintain excellent services because the levy has increased to compensate for the decrease in assessment during the housing downturn. As the economy continues to recover, the levy could be frozen or even reduced to support the library’s steady operating costs. However, a clearer picture of future expansion, and its required funding profile, should be presented to the public so the public can decide whether to incur, or how to service, any required future expansion debt.

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

The most recent decision to prepare to move the library from the core of downtown occurred in 2010, before the ramifications of the housing downturn became apparent. Since the approved land purchase continues to pose problems, the decision should be reexamined in light of the current financial situation in town, with the help of a new public survey.

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

Maintenance of strong services and introduction of a new speakers series.

Why should voters elect you to office?

I hope to bring a big picture approach to supporting the library in a way that is financially realistic, but that will keep and expand the excellent library services we have.