Anthony Cuzzone: 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: ElmhurstWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: York Township Board (4-year Terms)Age: 61Family: Married to wife Marie for 34 years. One son, Anthony, 30 years old.Occupation: Utility Capital Projects Administrator, Public Works Engineering, City of Elmhurst.Education: Associates Degree Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Certificate in Management Supervision Dale Carnegie-Leadership for Managers Graduate I.E.P.A. Public Water Supply Operator License Certified E.P.A. Cross Connection Control Device InspCivic involvement: Knights of Columbus, Annual Dan Gibbons Turkey Trot Coordinator, Annie Ryan Fun Runs Coordinator, Co-Host Comcast Elmhurst Memorial Day Parade, Host Comcast Elmhurst Cool Cars Under the Stars, Elmhurst St. Patrick's Day Parade, Lector, Usher, and Building Committee at Visitation Church, American Public Works Association Member, and American Water Works Association Member.Elected offices held: Precinct Committeeman, York Township 2003-current York Township Trustee, 2005-current Mid Central Water Works Association President, 1998-1999 President, Annual Dan Gibbons Turkey Trot Board of Directors -currentHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: No.Candidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Maintaining vital services, especially our social services in today's challenging times. With shrinking budgets and lower revenues, it becomes all the more challenging to keep the vital services that York Township provides. The Board will need to continue to work together with the Supervisor, being accountable and lead the way for stretching the dollar further than we have stretched it previously. It will be necessary to have vision, and set priorities within spending limits.Key Issue 2 Maintaining a balanced budget. If the money is not available, you cannot spend it. The Board will need to continue to be creative with staffing levels, have long range plans for expenditures, and work together combining resources with the Highway Department and the Assessor's office.Key Issue 3 Networking with other Townships and Municipalities. This can be very cost-effective, productive, and continues the Township's committment to communicate and provide the best services for the tax payers money.Questions Answers Name the three most important goals or objectives this board should tackle in the coming term. Prioritize them, and briefly discuss why you believe each to be critical, and how the board should go about addressing them.1) Maitaining vital services. With shrinking budgets and lower revenues, it becomes all the more challenging to keep the vital services that York Township provides. The Board will need to continue to work together with the Supervisor and lead the way for stretching the dollar further than we have stretched it previously. It will be necessary to have vision, and set priorities within spending limits. 2) Maintaining a balanced budget. If the money is not available, you cannot spend it. The Board will need to continue to be creative with staffing levels, have long range plans for expenditures, and work together combining resources with the Highway Department and the Assessor's office. 3) Networking with other Townships and Municipalities. This is a very cost-effectice tool and assists in expanding programs, informing residents of the services provided by York Township, and keeps all business and communication pro-active.In the 21st Century, with municipalities gobbling up vacant land, why are townships needed? Should they be serving a new role? If so, what?Township government is the oldest form of government in our country, and it still works today. It is the closest form of government to the people. With vacant land being bought up, the effect is noticed in only one area of Township operations. There are many other areas of service that York Township provides, such as General Assistance which provides food and shelter and emergency relief for needy people, Food Pantry, Senior Transportation System which provides a lifeline to Seniors, Senior Nutrition providing over 50,000 meals served annually on-site in our dining room and delivered to the homebound by volunteers, Senior Center providing programs and events, Youth Commission, mosquito abatement, highway services, and land and property assessments to name a few. Township government needs to remain flexible and available to everyone. We are small, accessible, responsive, and cost-effective, claiming approximately only 1.7% of the entire real estate tax bill. Township government is often described as "the bastion of true democracy."What should be the primary responsibility of township government?The Mandated functions of townships in Illinois are general assistance, property assessment, and road and bridge maintenance. I belive Senior nutrition and Senior services should also be primary responsibilities.In these hard economic times, can you identify some township expenses/programs that could be trimmed or eliminated to reduce the tax burden?It is more challenging than ever today to continue trimming budgets that are already operating very lean. However, to remain financially prudent, it is good practice to keep looking at expenses under the microscope. A more in depth look at some commodities expenses will certainly be on the agenda. And the necessity for some capital expenses will be scrutinized closely. Trimming some of these areas would help the tax burden, however, eliminating any current programs would be detrimental, and have a negative affect.What specific background or experience do you bring that makes you the best qualified candidate to serve as an elected official in the township?Committment, Responsibility, and Knowledge are my characteristics working with the Board of Trustees that will continue to make York Township the best value for the taxpayer's dollars. Currently, I serve as Liaison with the Senior Transportation System, and with the Senior Advisory Committee in which I have implemented several cost-effective and financially prudent programs for the services currently provided by the Township, such as providing substantial savings on the procurment of replacement vehicles in the Senior Transportation System, and savings in obtaining 16 newer computers and monitors for classes being conducted for Seniors. These savings were accomplished through inter-governmental agreements. I believe one of the most important attributes I have is to be able to listen to the needs and concerns of the residents and the community. As I continue sharing my 35 years of municipal and budgets experience, I know what it takes to be fiscally responsible as well as provide vital services to residents; keeping taxes low, but still provide services.