John Malloy: 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: Des PlainesWebsite: http://malloy4alderman.com (under construction)Office sought: Des Plaines City Council Ward 7 (4-year Term)Age: 55Family: Married: Roberta Children: Molly 14 and Carolyn Nero 29 Granddaughter: Charlotte NeroOccupation: Full time: Caregiver for my disabled daughter Molly. Part Time: Event Supervisor , Sportservice Corp. United Club , Soldier Field Chicago .Education: Grade School: Hardey Prep. High School: Quigley North College: Oakton Community College AAS Hotel/Hospitality Management 1979Civic involvement: Speaker for Make A Wish of Chicago , as a parent of a child who recieved a Wish to go to Sesame Street in New York City.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 To help inspire other citizens to run for office. Government over the past decade has become too big and too controlling. Politicians must stop the practice of pitting peoples against each other by race , gender , income and other ways to create divisions to which they use to their advantage. We need people to speak what is on your mind. And most importantly to cherish your freedom and liberty as government infringes on it on a daily basis.Key Issue 2 Build a new fire station to replace Station #2 on Oakton. The city already owns property at Lee and Prospect. However that location was unacceptable to the residents in the area. So if the residents still do not want it there , find a new location , and sell the land at Lee and Prospect for residential developement. We need a new station to house the additional equipment such as the Haz-Mat truck and trailer now parked outside of station #3. as well as the reserve engines , reserve ambulances and other specialty equipment.Key Issue 3 Expand the local government television channel. First expand the programing to include all the local taxing board meetings. The citizens need to see what is going on at these meetings and who these boards really work for. Find a way to add the municipal channel to the satellite systems such as Direct TV.Questions Answers There's been talk about using casino revenue to update the city's infrastructure. Where is that money most urgently needed?The revenue from the casino has been used for both infrastructure and the contracted obligations or government employee pensions. I feel that every other year the revenue should be saved to build the cash reserves for the city. The money saved would be a hedge, or a protection against future unforseen financial problems.What can be done to fill vacancies and draw new businesses to the downtown area? Be as specific as possible.The key to downtown is the Des Plaines Theatre. I feel that the city was wise to allow an extension to repair code violations at the theatre. The theatre will bring people to downtown provided they are able to book good shows and events. Mr. Bhagwaker , the owner of the theatre , should be applauded for what he is doing with the theatre and the risk he is taking. Any and all businesses should be encouraged to look at downtown Des Plaines and open a business here. I also feel that US Bank would be a wonderful addition to the Des Plaines financial row on Ellinwood Street. The downtown area is not be the only area where developement is needed. Rand Road and Oakton Street are losing businesses also.What is the biggest issue facing Des Plaines at present, and what are your thoughts on it?Property Taxes are the biggest issue facing both residential property owners and business owners. With the 2012 First Installment Property Tax Bill , Maria Pappas did a wonderful job explaning the repercussions of how these taxing bodies are effecting our futures , while rewarding their employees with extraordinary pensions , leaving the taxpayer to pay the tab.Given the delicate balance between the need for revenue and over-taxing local businesses, what is your opinion of Des Plaines' present level of local sales taxes? Is the tax just right, too low or too high? Explain.Local sales taxes are not a problem. The problem in Des Plaines is lack of retail businesses. Over the past 4 years other suburbs have lost many businesses , but they have replaced them with others , while Des Plaines has not. There are many questions as to why this has occured. Has the casino hurt the reputation of Des Plaines? Has the indoor smoking ban effected the many restaurants that are now closed in Des Plaines?What are the city's biggest public safety concerns? Explain the concern as you see it, and discuss how you think it should be addressed.The greatest concern I have is for the people who walk or ride bikes through the " S " curve on Nothwest Highway. We need to find a way to build a sidewalk / bike path so people aren't sharing the two lanes of traffic with the cars , trucks , and busses. We need to work on this before someone is killed. This would be my number one safety concern.