Lake County Gazette

David Fahrner is a candidate for Round Lake Park trustee on the ballot in the April 1 election.

The Village of Round Lake Park is governed by a Board of Trustees, which includes the Village President, Village Clerk and six trustees elected by the community at large. The Mayor and Village staff oversee the day-to-day operations of the village government.

“I have 48 years of business experience,” Fahrner told the Lake County Gazette. “I gained my MBA from Loyola University. Extensive volunteer work over the years, including with organizations such as the Lake County Coalition for the Homeless, March of Dimes, as a Foster Parent, and with Big Brothers. These experiences have provided me with a deep understanding of the needs and issues our residents face.”  

Fahrner said addressing the needs of residents while maintaining fiscal responsibility will be no easy task. 

"With the reduction of funding and programs by the federal government, finding resources to address our residents' needs while staying financially responsible will be our major challenge in the coming years," he said. "Infrastructure will continue to be addressed and fixed, along with the social programs that our residents rely on. Ensuring that these vital services continue without putting undue strain on the village budget is something I’m committed to working on."

Fahrner’s plan for overcoming these obstacles includes a strong focus on securing additional funding through grants and forging partnerships with neighboring towns and villages. 

“We will be aggressive in applying for grants that continue to be available in order to make Round Lake Park a great place to live,” he said. “In addition, partnering with other towns and villages is essential in ensuring we continue to serve our residents effectively. Collaboration is key, and I plan to work closely with our neighbors to share resources and ideas.”

A central tenet of Fahrner's candidacy is improving communication between the local government and its citizens. 

“We will be proactive in gaining residents' input to ensure their concerns are addressed,” he said. "It’s essential that we’re not only listening to residents but also making it easier for them to voice their opinions and needs. To that end, we will revamp our website to make it easier for residents to contact government officials and the various departments. A more user-friendly platform will foster better communication and transparency.”

He stressed that learning from others is crucial for the village’s growth. 

"We will learn from other villages and towns through constant communication to ensure we are addressing all areas of government in an efficient and cost-effective manner," Fahrner said. 

He envisions Round Lake Park as a community where leadership is responsive, transparent and engaged.

Fahrner's long-term vision for Round Lake Park focuses on redeveloping the downtown area to attract businesses and provide a welcoming space for residents. 

“Our vision for the future is a vibrant downtown area with many successful businesses—an area that our residents want to frequent and enjoy,” he said. “This will help boost the local economy and create a sense of pride within the community. Additionally, we’ll make it easy for residents to interact with us to ensure their issues are addressed promptly.”

Fahrner is running with a slate of candidates, including incumbent Karen M. Eggert, who is running with David Fahrner and Joan Rosenkranz under the "Voices for a Better Tomorrow" banner. Their opponents include Christine Lucheck, Ruben J. Mendoza and Debra A. Bennington, who are running under the "Time For A Change" banner.

The six candidates are vying for three open seats.