Michael Krypciak, candidate for village trustee in Fairmont City, IL
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More on the election for Fairmont City trustees
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Name:
Michael Krypciak
Political party (if applicable):
New Beginnings Party
Age as of April 6, 2021:
58
Campaign website or social media page:
Fairmont City — New Beginnings Party on Facebook
Office seeking:
Fairmont City village trustee
Are you an incumbent?
No
Previous offices sought:
Fairmont City village trustee
Occupation:
Former risk and compliance/loss prevention manager for IKEA Home Furnishings and Sears Holdings Co.
Education:
Assumption High School, East St. Louis, graduated 1981; Southwestern Illinois College, associate’s degree in Drafting Technology, 1984; Southwestern Illinois College, associate’s degree in Administration of Justice, 1991.
Please list highlights of your civic involvement:
I am currently a volunteer firefighter with the Fairmont City Fire Department, proudly serving residents for more than 40 years.
Why are you running?
I’m running for village trustee because I want to help make changes on the numerous issues that have plagued our village for years. As a resident for 58 years, I understand what living in a multicultural town means and the challenges and successes it brings. I have also seen the town’s infrastructure deteriorate over time due to a lack of regular maintenance and oversight by the present Village Board. I have always been proud to call Fairmont City my home and always will, but I do believe that we can, and must, do better. For years, the present administration has said the village does not have the money to perform regular maintenance of streets, drainage systems, sidewalks, etc. However, somehow they are able to find the funds to make themselves some of the highest-paid public officials around. I believe the village needs to develop long-term and short-term plans to address these issues. I feel the village needs to stop its wasteful spending habits and use that money for its intended purpose: to improve and maintain the town.
What is the top issue in your race, and how would you address it?
After years of neglect, you cannot focus on one top issue. The village must address the deteriorating streets and sidewalks, as well as the poor drainage. We also need to ensure our children have the tools, such as reliable internet service, needed to grow into responsible adults. The pandemic has shown us that reliable internet service is a must in order to continue to educate our children. We must be able to provide our children with all the tools they will need, so they may reach their full potential in life and make their dreams come true.
In order to achieve our goals, we will first order an independent audit of the village’s finances. We also pledge to immediately cut the salaries of the mayor and village trustees by at least 25% and stop the village-funded pensions that some trustees are receiving. We will develop two plans: one being our Capital Improvement Plan and the other being a Strategic Plan.
Why should people vote for you?
As a former risk and compliance/loss prevention manager for IKEA Home Furnishings and Sears Holding Co., I feel my 30-year background in business management, working within budgets and providing a safe environment for employees and customers, will compliment my position as a village trustee. Being a lifelong resident, I understand the potential that Fairmont City possesses to be the most beautiful, well-operated community around.
This story was originally published March 1, 2021 at 1:12 PM.