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Russell Cardelli: Candidate Profile

Algonquin Township Board (4-year Terms) (Republican)

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: ALGONQUINWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Algonquin Township Board (4-year Terms)Age: 51Family: I HAVE BEEN MARRIED FOR 27 YEARS AND HAVE 4 CHILDREN. I AM A LIFELONG RESIDENT OF MCHENRY COUNTY, RESIDING IN ALGONQUIN.Occupation: I HAVE BEEN A GENERAL CONTRACTOR FOR THIRTY PLUS YEARS ,SERVING PEOPLE ACROSS THE NORTHWEST SUBURBS AND BEYOND.Education: I AM A GRADUATE OF HARRY D. JACOBS HIGH SCHOOL. I WAS AWARDED INDUSTRIAL ARTS STUDENT OF THE YEAR MY SENIOR YEAR.Civic involvement: I AM A FORMER ALGONQUIN LIONS CLUB MEMBER. I HAVE WORKED ON CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS FOR HABITAT FOR HUMANITY , ANGEL TOWNE PARK , AND THE 911 MEMORIAL PROJECT LOCATED IN RIVERFRONT PARK IN ALGONQUIN.I HAVE PARTICIPATED IN MANY CAMPAIGNS. I PERSONALLY HAVE CIRCULATED PETITIONS, DISTRIBUTED CAMPAIGN LITERATURE,AND BEEN ON SIGN COMMITTEES FOR SEVERAL REPUBLICAN COUNTY AND STATE CANDIDATES. I AM CURRENTLY AN ALGONQUIN TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE.Elected offices held: Candidate did not respond.Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NOCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 REDUCE WASTE AND EXCESSIVE SPENDINGKey Issue 2 REVIEW TOWNSHIP PROGRAMS AND SERVICES TO SEE IF THEY ARE COST EFFECTIVEKey Issue 3 ENCOURAGE PUBLIC ATTENDANCE AT TOWNSHIP MEETINGSQuestions 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.REVIEW AND REDUCE ALL BUDGETS THOROUGHLY. ELIMINATE NON-ESSENTIAL PROGRAMS.ENCOURAGE MORE PUBLIC FEEDBACK ON ISSUES.TO ACCOMPLISH THESE GOALS, WE SHOULD SEEK RESOURCES IN THE COMMUNITY,WHOSE BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE MAY HELP IN THESE DECISIONS.TALK TO THE PEOPLE,AGENCIES,GOVERNMENT,E.G. MCHENRY COUNTY COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENT TO SEE IF THERE ARE SOLUTIONS OUT THERE,OR, AT LEAST OPEN A DIALOGUE.In the 21st Century, with municipalities gobbling up vacant land, why are townships needed? Should they be serving a new role? If so, what?WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE TOWNSHIPS IN THE REMOTE AREAS OF THE COUNTY,THE CONCENTRATION OF THE POPULATION IS ALMOST ENTIRELY WITHIN MUNICIPALITIES,WHOSE NEEDS ARE SERVED BY THE CITY OR VILLAGE WHERE THEY RESIDE. ONCE THE CURRENT PROGRAMS AND SERVICES INCLUDED IN THE TOWNSHIP BUDGET ARE EVALUATED FOR NEED,COST EFFECTIVENESS,DUPLICATION BY OTHER AGENCIES AND GOVERNMENTS,THE PROOF WILL BE IN THE PUDDING WHETHER OR NOT TOWNSHIPS ARE NEEDEDWhat should be the primary responsibility of township government?THEIR RESPONSIBILITY WOULD BE DETERMINED AFTER SUGGESTIONS IN#2 WERE IMPLEMENTED AND ANSWERS OBTAINED.In these hard economic times, can you identify some township expenses/programs that could be trimmed or eliminated to reduce the tax burden?WE SHOULD LOOK INTO OPPORTUNITIES FOR INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENTS FOR ROAD MAINTENANCE, ELIMINATE RECYCLING,WHICH IS OFFERED CONVENIENTLY BY MANY MUNICIPALITIES,HABITAT FOR HUMANITY,ETC. AND WOULD GENERATE REVENUE FOR THESE CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS.SENIOR TRANSPORTATION SHOULD BE REVIEWED TO DETERMINE IF OTHER AGENCIES,E.G. SENIOR SERVICES,PACE WHO CAN OFFER RIDES, IN THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS,BY ARRANGEMENT.THE TOWNSHIP SHOULD LOOK AT ALTERNATIVES TO THE PRESENT SENIOR RIDE PROGRAM THAT WILL REDUCE COSTS TO THE TAXPAYERS SIGNIFICANTLY AND ENSURE THAT RIDERS HAVE ACCESS TO SAFE AND ACCESSIBLE ALTERNATIVESWhat specific background or experience do you bring that makes you the best qualified candidate to serve as an elected official in the township?I HAVE 32 YEARS EXPERIENCE IN THE CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS AS A GENERAL CONTRACTOR AND SMALL BUSINESSMAN. MY FAMILIARITY WITH BIDS AND PROPOSALS ,BUDGETING AND EXPENSES, AND MANAGING OTHER'S MONEY MOST EFFICIENTLY WOULD ALLOW ME TO BE A CONTRIBUTING TRUSTEE.