Angelina Filippo: 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: BartlettWebsite: http://www.angelinamfilippo.comOffice sought: Bartlett Village Board (4-year Terms)Age: 43Family: Married, two childrenOccupation: AttorneyEducation: Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering'the University of Iowa Juris Doctor'the John Marshall Law School LL.M. Intellectual Property Law'the John Marshall Law SchoolCivic involvement: Boy Scouts of America, Webelos Den Leader Girl Scouts of America, Co-Leader Grade School PSO Fundraising OfficerElected offices held: Association President - Block Y Condominium Association 1999-2001Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: No.Candidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 My first campaign issue is to continue to ensure that the Village provides in an efficient and economical manner for the health, safety and welfare of our residents. The annual police reports indicate that we are a well maintained, safe Village; in fact, we were voted in the top 5 safest villages across the nation. However, we will continue to have to operate within a limited budget and we must still provide these necessary services to our residents and businesses. We need to ensure that the different intra-Village departments and districts (Fire, Police, Library and School, etc.) are running efficiently, are not duplicating efforts to raise money for the same or similar services. We must continue to provide new and different technology to our first responder systems as these systems are continually improving.Key Issue 2 As a nine-year resident and having watched countless numbers of new businesses spring up and shut down quickly thereafter, I will make a concentrated effort to bring and maintain new businesses to Bartlett. With little or no economic impact, by employing and refining the Village website, using other electronic methods of communication (i.e. county and state websites, emails, etc.) and the addition of the human element; we can improve the processes of how the Village solicits new businesses, makes available the necessary documents and applications for new business start-ups, and further promotes these new businesses to the residents. The new business owner write-ups and coupons in the Bartletter and involvement with the Chamber of commerce are noteworthy, but there is always room to improve. Potential incentives to new businesses ease of application, tax benefits, or permit access are only a few ideas.Key Issue 3 By bringing and maintaining new businesses to Bartlett and maintaining our level of commitment to health, safety and welfare; consequentially we will bring, and with further efforts, maintain new residents to Bartlett. The census data indicates that the Village population has slowed and slightly reversed. Some of this is attributed directly to the national economic challenges we all face, however, other nearby suburbs are continuing to increase residency even if only slightly. The Village already supports its schools and continues to ensure the safety of the children therein. The question of U-46 will be a challenge that we will continue to embrace, support, and direct any efforts as needed, however there is no quick and simple solution.Questions Answers What can the village do to encourage more development into Bartlett, particularly in the Brewster Creek Business Park?Businesses relocate for many reasons including but not limited to expansion, restructuring, cost reduction, improving customer service and improving employee quality of life. As is true on a state and national level, wrestling matches between cities are typically focused on what incentive programs the winning city can provide to the potential new business. Bartlett has much to provide these businesses regarding location to transportation throughways airports, railways, and highways. Because Brewster Creek is already a TIF designated area, there are benefits to new businesses regarding cost savings on infrastructure and common area development. The Bartlett website has an informational section on Brewster Creek and a wealth of information on the benefits of relocating there, however, the reach of the Village website is short. The state Department of Commerce site lists areas for sale, rent or development where businesses can search what is available state-wide, however, a cursory search did not uncover Brewster Creek. Improvements to marketing and advertising the availability and benefits of Brewster Creek to outside and extended areas is imperative. These efforts can come in many formats including electronic, outreach to other departments of commerce and in-person contacts.With millions of dollars in budget cuts the last few years, how will you make sure the village continues providing good services to residents?I will continue to review the current budgets, prioritize the wants and needs village of departments, and adjust funding as needed to maintain and improve these areas. I will always look to improving efficiency in all areas where possible, for example insure that the different intra-Village departments and districts (Fire, Police, Library and School, etc.) are not duplicating efforts to raise money for the same or similar services. I will continue to help optimize the use of existing services and infrastructure.Weigh the value of late liquor licenses to local businesses (4 a.m. in the case of the Cadillac Ranch) against safety concerns. Should 4 a.m. licenses continuie to be permitted? If so, what can be done to curb the number of incidents?The Village has grandfathered in 4am licenses to some local establishments. Other near-by cities have made efforts to improve safety and decrease the public nuisance from late night licenses such as these in different ways. Some have declared moratoriums on issuing any further late-night licenses. Others have established a system that includes a signed petition from neighbors living within 500 feet of the establishment requesting the license. The petitions must have a 51% approval which will be considered when determining license issuance. Yet others have created a list of requirements that the business must adhere to in order to be granted these licenses. Some the requirements include interior notices to patrons regarding their conduct just outside the establishment and cameras at the entrances to record the events occurring there. The Village needs to review what others have done and determine which solution is best for its residents.Given the delicate balance between the need for revenue and over-taxing local businesses, what is your opinion of Bartlett's present level of local sales taxes? Is the tax just right, too low or too high? Explain.Taxes at any level will always be deemed improper depending on the reviewing body. Those in need will believe they are too low and those paying will perceive they are too high. By striking a balance between bringing in and maintaining new businesses and residents, the Village may find some relief to both sides of the tax issue. When new businesses are established they contribute more significantly to the tax base and when residents and new residents support these businesses the income from sales taxes increases whereby, the overall taxes may be able to be reduced. It is a numbers game that must continually be reviewed for accuracy.What are the village's biggest public safety concerns? Explain the concern as you see it, and discuss how you think it should be addressed.As indicated in the Village Police Annual Reports, crime has been decreasing and is at a level that has placed the Village in the top five safest villages across the nation. However, there is always room to improve. It appears the most prevalent crime in the Village is theft. Continuing efforts to keep residents and business owners aware of how they can prevent these occurrences is paramount. Making more efforts to promote crime watching and reporting by residents is desirable. Public awards for crime deterring may also improve interaction from residents. We must continue to have everyone's involvement and focus on public safety to improve it. Embracing any new safety methods or programs that emanate from crimes elsewhere will keep Bartlett proactive in its own efforts to improve this area.