John Rosak: 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: http://addisondemocrats.com/Office sought: Addison Township Board (4-year Terms)Age: 45Family: Married, four childrenOccupation: Senior Design Technician at Civiltech Engineering, a civil and transportation consulting firm based in Itasca.Education: Bachelors of Science in Organizational Leadership, Penn State University, 2004Civic involvement: American Public Works Association, Wood Dale Park District Soccer and Little League Coach, Wood Dale Cub Scout Cub Master, Elmhurst/Bensenville Boy Scout Troop Boy Scout Leader and member of the Oak Brook Toastmasters.Elected offices held: NoneHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Helping to keep our eyes on the budget. Public expenses should always be open to the public.Key Issue 2 Opening the doors wider to programs offered by the township, such as the food pantry, back to work programs, and senior advisory session. The residents of all the municipalities are served is what ensures that the township is a bigger hometown than a municipality.Key Issue 3 Gain a better understanding of how the township is handling the growth due to the airport expansion. Will this expansion help the communities grow, or just move people through the municipalities faster?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.First, I would like to see how the money in our government is spent, and see if we can make this process more transparent. Second, I would like to promote the existing programs offered by the township to members of all the municipalities within the township. Third, I want to see how the township lands are being utilized to facilitate the growth of the municipalities. To do this we need a vision of where the airport expansion is taking the township as a whole, versus what it is doing to individual municipalities.In the 21st Century, with municipalities gobbling up vacant land, why are townships needed? Should they be serving a new role? If so, what?The Township needs to be involved with each of the municipalities in a cooperative manner. The township of the future needs to be glue that holds the municipalities together, not water that keeps everyone apart. This is done by filling governmental gaps that benefit the municipalities in a cost effective fashion.What should be the primary responsibility of township government?The primary responsibility, as I understand it, is to ensure the unincorporated areas have fire and police protection, water and storm service provided, brush picked up and township roads plowed if it snows. The assessors office is a necessity. The resources we have, such as the building, is also a great venue for all residents to have access to. The programs there are not only to help people on hard times, and those entering the golden years, but should also provide direction to any of the residents looking for government guidance.In these hard economic times, can you identify some township expenses/programs that could be trimmed or eliminated to reduce the tax burden?I look forward to working with my fellow Trustees to root out any wasteful spending, while at the same time promoting government investments in our Township's future.What specific background or experience do you bring that makes you the best qualified candidate to serve as an elected official in the township?My family and I have lived in various parts of the Township for over fifteen years. Between Lombard, Wood Dale and Elmhurst we always felt at home as soon as we moved in. Our children, that we are so proud of, helped this immensely. These branches of our future have afforded us the opportunity to plant deep roots in the area. I have always taken pride in our community involvement that I have been blessed to be part of. Becoming an elected official seemed the next logical step for me. With my years of experience in transportation design industry, I have experience in the federal, state, and county permitting processes as well as the funding sources. My occupation has also afforded me the chance to meet many of the municipal personnel which will help me promote the communication role that I believe is the future of Township governance. With this background and vision, I would bring a fresh perspective to the Township infrastructure.