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Joseph Salerno: Candidate Profile

Bloomingdale Township Board (4-year Terms) (R)

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: BloomingdaleWebsite: http://www.bloomingdalerepublicans.comOffice sought: Bloomingdale Township Board (4-year Terms)Age: 72Family: Married Four children Six grandchildrenOccupation: Funeral Director and Owner of Rosario D. Salerno Son's Funeral HomesEducation: 1960 graduate of Worsham College of Mortuary Science 1958 graduate of St. Phillip High School 1954 graduate of St. Patrick AcademyCivic involvement: Chairman of the Board for the Roselle Chamber of Commerce Industry Director, Taste of Roselle Director Chicago Italian American Charitable Organization (CIACO) Past Director Bloomingdale Lions Club Member The Order of Sons of Italy Member Bloomingdale Chamber of Commerce Member Carol Stream Chamber of Commerce Past Organizations President of North Austin Chamber of Commerce Member of West Suburban Chapter of UNICO Member of Fenwick High School Father Club Director Cavaliers of Villa Scalabrini Home for Aged Director Roselle Octoberfest Director American Cancer Society North DuPage Unit Director Bloomingdale Park Foundation Funeral Director Services Associations (FDSA) Our Lady of Sorrows School Athletic Director Football Coach St. Vincent Ferrer School Athletic Director Football Coach South Elmwood Park Little League Coach, Vice President, President, Chairman of the Board Man of the Year Near West Community Organization 1989 Business Person of the Year Roselle Chamber of Commerce 1999 Man of the Year Chicagoland Italian American Charitable Organizations 2004 Lion of the Year 2007-2008 Business Person of Year by Roselle Chamber of Commerce now renamed Joseph G. Salerno Business Person of Year Past Director of the DuPage County Convalesent Center Past Director of Marianjoy FoundationElected offices held: Trustee, Bloomingdale Township, 2001-presentHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: No.Candidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 As a businessman, I believe the number one priority is to provide services to the public at the lowest possible cost. We understand how important it is that we safeguard the public's tax dollars, which are especially scarce in this economy. My business background always reminds me of this while serving on the township board.Key Issue 2 My business background also reminds me that running an operation like the township is an ongoing process and there's always room for improvement. We have to constantly review our procedures and operations for new efficiencies and when we find them, not be afraid to make changes. That is the spirit in which we operate in Bloomingdale Township.Key Issue 3 As my record of community involvement above indicates, I believe it is essential to stay close to the community. I do that in my personal and professional life and as township trustee. We cannot make the best decisions as trustees if we are detached from our clientele. We pride ourselves as trustees that we are close to the people we serve and probably make better decisions because of that.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.We believe it is important to work closely with surrounding units of governments and craft intergovernmental agreements where necessary. We want to work harmoniously with other governments without duplicating services. We continue to seek ways to operate more efficiently in the months and years ahead and we will stay in close touch with the people to adjust our programs and services according to their needs and our budgetary constraints.In the 21st Century, with municipalities gobbling up vacant land, why are townships needed? Should they be serving a new role? If so, what?We shouldn't be expanding our services to any significant degree we should be seeking to improve the services we provide. We are the form of government closest to the people and as such we operate more effectively and compassionately than others without as much waste.What should be the primary responsibility of township government?The primary responsibility of township government is to provide safety net services to our citizens that are not otherwise provided by larger governments, such as general assistance. And, in Bloomingdale Township, we have a rich tradition of providing assistance and relief to our senior citizens via our senior center.In these hard economic times, can you identify some township expenses/programs that could be trimmed or eliminated to reduce the tax burden?We just recently trimmed our IMRF coverage to trustees and are always looking at all our operations with an eye to make them smaller or more efficient. Running a tight ship is our top priority.What specific background or experience do you bring that makes you the best qualified candidate to serve as an elected official in the township?I believe my background as a businessman serves me well as trustee. I also believe being in the funeral business brings me close to many families in our community and gives me an insight into their needs and problems. I have been honored to serve the taxpayers for three terms and would be as diligent in a fourth term as I have been the previous three.