Joseph Broda: 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: LisleWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Lisle Mayor (4-year Term)Age: Candidate did not respond.Family: Married to Joanne for 48 years; Three grown daughters; Four wonderful grandchildren.Occupation: Retired from Lucent Technology in 2001 and now the full time Mayor of Lisle.Education: DeVry Institute of Technology, 1970; Benedictine University - Institute for Management, 1982.Civic involvement: Past President of the DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference, 2008 and currently on the board as Past Presidents; Former Director of the DuPage Mayors and Managers Legislative Committee and now member, 2003 present, and member of the Intergovernmental and Planning Committee 2010 Present; Illinois Municipal League Vice President 2009 present; DU-COMM (DuPage Pubic Safety Communication) Board Member and Executive Committee member 2012 - Present Board of Directors - Lisle Chamber of Commerce; Board of Directors - Lisle Convention Visitors Bureau; Honorary Co-Chair of the Three Fires Council, Thunderbird District - Boy Scouts of America Annual Mayor's Breakfast Fundraiser; Founder Member of St. Margaret Mary Parish and Men's Club; Past President, Vice President, and Board Member of the Green Trails Improvement Association; Green Trails Improvement Association- Maintenance and Finance Committees; Received the 2008 Distinguished Service Award from the Lisle Rotary Club;Elected offices held: Appointed to Lisle Village Board as Trustee - March 1986; Elected to Lisle Village Trustee - April 1987; Re-Elected Lisle Village Trustee 1991, 1995 and 1999 Elected Mayor of Lisle - April 2001; Re-Elected Mayor of Lisle - April 2005, April 2009;Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NOCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 I am seeking re-election as Mayor of Lisle because I am committed to staying the course and completing the job that we started. Despite the recession that we have been in, the stage is set for Lisle to continue its community and economic development, both through the revitalization of the downtown and in the many projects throughout the village. I have the experience and vision to steer us through these challenging times. As I look back on the last couple of years we had major companies re-locate in Lisle, ie: Sun Coke Energy, Leeco Steel. In addition, I was instrumental in bringing Navistar to Lisle in 2011. Most recently, the DuPage Medical Group built a brand new state of the art medical building in Lisle and moved its administration offices there. That's an additional 600 employees coming to Lisle every day. Plus, UTI Universal Technical Institute Midwest Campus is relocating to Lisle and building a two story, 185,000 sq. ft. building. In addition, we have two brand new housing developments: Arbor Trails with 163 single family homes starting in 2013 and Arboretum Landmark, a 310 upscale apartment complex currently under construction. This all happened in the last four years, illustrating that we are moving towards a successful future which includes responsible development everywhere in Lisle and in maintaining our infrastructure.Key Issue 2 Leadership and experience. Village government requires a strong partnership between the Mayor and the trustees. Over the last 12 years, I have led a Board that has put Lisle in a strong position and I?m proud to have the support and endorsement of all six members. I have also extended my leadership to the DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference, allowing Lisle to build stronger ties with neighboring communities. In these tough times, the experience, leadership and vision I bring to the table are needed more than ever. We have to adjust to aNew Normal? national and state environments impact our Village. We can't depend on outside resources; they must come from within. We have fewer staff members than three years ago, and we continue to look for the more efficient way to do things including increased emphasis on consolidation, intergovernmental agreements, resource sharing.Key Issue 3 The Mayor should be actively involved in the community. In addition to making policy and leading the board, the Mayor must also represent and act as an advocate for the Village seven days a week. No one will spend more time or work harder than I do to represent the best interests of Lisle and foster community pride.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?Lisle is heading in the right direction, and I want to continue to lead the charge. I truly believe that, with my experience and leadership, Lisle will continue to be a destination for business and recreation, as well as a community its residents are proud to callhome.? I have lived here since 1978, began serving the village in 1986, and have devoted my retirement to being a full-time Mayor. Lisle deserves a Mayor that is available to everyone, willing to listen, and ready to help provide solutions to their issues. I am that kind of Mayor. Under my leadership, Lisle has won many Governor's Home Town Awards and was a finalist for the Governor's Cup Award. Also, Money magazine rated Lisle as #20 on theBest Places to Live in the U.S.? list for our population category. Being named by Money magazine has had a great impact on Lisle's image. In 2012, we were recognized by West Suburban Living magazine again as one of the best places to live in the suburbs. In my next four years as Mayor, I will continue to foster this community pride because this is my home too.Given the delicate balance between the need for revenue and over-taxing local businesses, what is your opinion of your community's present level of local sales taxes? Is the tax just right, too low or too high? Explain.We do not have a local sales tax.Talking with your friends and neighbors, what seems to be their biggest public safety concern? Explain the concern as you see it, and discuss how you think it should be addressed.Candidate did not respond.In these tight economic times, municipal budgets have to be prioritized. Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?Candidate did not respond.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?Village wide Wi-Fi. We have an I-Net system in place that I believe could be used to provide Wi-Fi.