Paul Santucci: Candidate Profile

Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioKey IssuesQA Bio City: AuroraWebsite: http://www.paulsantucci.comOffice sought: DuPage County board District 5Age: 46Family: Wife of 14 Years, Jennifer, 3 Children, Gabrielle(Gabi) 11, Nicole(Nikki) 8 and Dylan 4.Occupation: Communications Consultant, Small Business Partner, RealtorEducation: Executive MBA, Mendoza College of Business, University of Notre Dame MSRA, George WIlliams College of Aurora University BS, Marketing Communicatons, Southern Illinois UniversityCivic involvement: Secretary, Naperville Township Republican Organization Member, Naperville Chamber of Commerce Board Member, AYSO Soccer, Coach Manager, Team Chicago Soccer Club Member, Fischer and Steck PTA, IPSD204 Member, Our Lady Of Mercy Parish, Choir Member, West Suburban Irish Member, St. Raphael's Men's Group Coach, Wheatland Athletic Association Member, HCC Men's Soccer Club Member, U.S. Navy LeagueElected offices held: Elected Committeeman Naperville Township Precinct 48, '07-Present Appointed Precinct Captain, Palatine Reublican Organization, '99-'07Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: No!Candidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Keeping businesses, both large and small and jobs in DuPage County! I believe a cooperation of municipalities and the county with annual reviews and analysis of efficiencies and duplication needs to be strictly monitored. I am personally going to be a leader in supporting small businesses and jobs in DuPage with my DuPage First initiative.Key Issue 2 Staying the course set forth for small fiscally conservative government. Also, the completion and development of The DuPage National Technology Park.Key Issue 3 The review and analysis of current policies and procedures and concluding where technology can save money and improve efficiencies of the county.Questions Answers Why are you running for this office, whether for re-election or election for the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you? If so, what?I am running to replace the irresponsible board member, who didn't even respect the awesome responsibility bestowed upon him by his constituants to have a decent attendance in his 4 year term!!!I am running to replace Mr. Michelassi with the encouragement of family, friends and both civic and public leaders.If you are an incumbent, describe your main contributions. Tell us of any important initiatives you've led. If you are a challenger, what would you bring to the board and what would your priority be?I am proposing a DuPage First initiative that would develop a cohesive and functional strategy to help build businesses and jobs in DuPage.I am going to start off this inititive with a DuPage Job Fair in February, bringing together the awesome skilled labor that may be struggling to find the right "in" with large and small business head quartered in DuPage County.How can the county best manage its growth, growing diversity?I see the physical growth of the county as fairly flat, as the land locked borders have been developed to near full potential. The population growth will level off as well as the median age of the county rises with the baby boomers aging.The shift of diversity towards Latino and Asian populous is a great thing for the future of DuPage and the county has to be proactive in it's meeting the changing needs of these ethnic groups.If incumbent, are you satisied your attendance at county board/committee meetings has been adequate? Describe the rough percentage of meetings you've attended. If non-incumbent, are you aware of the incumbent's attandance record and is it adequate?No, for some incumbent members that were reported at or around 52-55%, that is unexceptable!They should have to give 49% of their salary back to the County!When I'm elected I plan to retire my consulting business and devote my full attention to the County Board.What is your stance on county board members' pay? Too high, too low, just right? Would you propose any changes' Do you think county board members should receive pensions' If not, would be willing to pledge not to take one?This is a difficult question for a new board member, I don't have the exact feel for the behind the scenes hours and workings of the board, however in theory, I feel if you do treat this position as a half-time position, as I intend to, the salary is set at about half my normal salary.The pension issue is a "hot topic," but I feel if you are in the position for the right reasons, providing a civic duty to your community and go above and beyond constituants expectations with their best interests at heart, a pension is appropriate.If I were to use the time of service to work for myself or in the private sector I would receive the same compensation.I don't believe in double dipping the system though and taking multiple pensions at congruent times.