Fran Scalafini: 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: BloomingdaleWebsite: http://www.bloomingdalerepublicans.comOffice sought: Bloomingdale Township Clerk (4-year Term)Age: 76Family: Married Three childrenOccupation: Domestic engineerEducation: High schoolCivic involvement: Village of Glendale Heights Committee Special Events Village of Glendale Heights 40th Birthday Party Celebration Village of Glendale Heights Planning Commission Village of Glendale Heights International Day Committee Village of Glendale Heights Historical Committee Glen Oaks Hospital Advisory Task Force Member Glendale Heights Junior Women's Club Glendale Heights Foundation Committee, vice president Nurse's Aide for Glen Oaks Hospital 2003 volunteer award Neighborhood Watch Member Leukemia Society Citizens Police Academy Citizens on Patrol Glen Ellyn Abused Women and Children's Foundation Organized benefit for Glendale Heights resident with brain cancer Circulated successful petition to obtain 4-way stop sign in school zone Homeland Security for Preparedness program for DuPage County Committee for fundraiser for 8-year-old boy in need of lung transplant Rosedale Estate Homeowners Association, vice president Bloomingdale Fire Protection District 1, commissioner Bloomingdale Lions ClubElected offices held: Bloomingdale Township Clerk, 4 years Bloomingdale Township trustee, 8 yearsHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: No.Candidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 We are committed to serving the people of Bloomingdale Township with honor and integrity and keeping taxes as low as possible as we provide needed services to seniors and others in need.Key Issue 2 We take our duties seriously and will continue to do the next four years. In particular, we are always looking for ways to improve our operations. As Town Clerk, I have a number of specific duties such as making sure legal notices are published, oversee Town Board meetings, etc. and I?m always looking for ways to streamline our procedures.Key Issue 3 I believe all of us on the Board believe it is important to serve our community in ways outside of township government. I have been active for decades as a community volunteer and this has given me a keen insight into the needs of the community. It has also brought me closer to the people I serve and we believe that doing so makes us all better public servants.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) We should continue to hold the line on spending and taxes by carefully reviewing all operations; 2) We should continue to work with other governments to save taxpayer dollars and avoid duplication. We can achieve this via intergovernmental agreements; 3) We should continue to work closely with the community to keep us in touch with peoples' needs and concerns.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 are not looking to significantly expand township government. We are constantly looking for ways to improve our core services. We all believe that township government is the form of government closest to the people and improves the lives of people who need it most.What should be the primary responsibility of township government?The township functions are set forth by state statutes and include primarily general assistance, road maintenance and property assessment. My duties as Town Clerk are quite specific and include reviewing and signing all highway bills, overseeing Town Board meetings, overseeing bid openings, making sure legal notices are published and maintaining records and certifying tax levies.In these hard economic times, can you identify some township expenses/programs that could be trimmed or eliminated to reduce the tax burden?We have reduced the IMRF available to trustees. As stated above, we are continually looking at programs, services, vendors and procedures to make sure every dollar is spent wisely.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 am proud of my record with the township the last 12 years (eight as clerk, four as trustee) and look forward to serving another term with the blessing of voters. I take my duties seriously as Town Clerk and believe my record as a lifelong community volunteer gives me a strong foundation upon which to serve the public.