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Tony Lombardo: Candidate Profile

Ela Township Board (4-year Terms) (Independent)

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: Lake ZurichWebsite: http://www.elareform.orgOffice sought: Ela Township Board (4-year Terms)Age: 59Family: Married for 32 years, 3 children, 2 grandchildren.Occupation: Attorney at LawEducation: B.A. St. Norbert College 1975 J.D. Northern Illinois University 1978Civic involvement: Coaching youth sports in Buffalo Grove, IL. I am also a 28 year licensed Illinois High School Sports Official.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 provide all residents of Ela Township with better services for their tax dollars. I believe the township can do more for its citizens without raising taxes. The Township has duty to help our economically hurting residents as well as our seniors and our young people.Key Issue 2 To create Township government that is transparent and accountable. The current board has created a pattern of over budgeting. As a result an unnecessary surplus has been created that has allowed them to spend on large expenditures without seeking voter approval. We will spend your money more prudently and seek tax relief for everyone.Key Issue 3 To work with the municipal governments within the Township to avoid duplicate spending on similar services. To work with the municipalities in the Township in developing, fiscally sound programs for underserved groupsQuestions 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.1. Creating value based programs for our seniors, youth and disabled. To assist our economically stressed residents. 2. To create a value driven budget that doesn't allow for over budgeting,thus building unnecessary surpluses. 3. Accountability. To meet our statutory mandated role without overspending or improper budgeting that allowed the current board to build our current Township hall without voter approvalIn the 21st Century, with municipalities gobbling up vacant land, why are townships needed? Should they be serving a new role? If so, what?I believe that township government can still serve a vital function. Township government should provide services for our seniors, young people and needy. A local assessor is essential in evaluating property values, provided, that office is run without nepotism or the appearance of impropriety. Roads in our unincorporated areas need to be maintained and serviced. Township government is essential in meeting these services.What should be the primary responsibility of township government?To meet our statutory mandate of assessing property, maintaining roads and bridges in unincorporated areas and helping the needy. I believe township government has the duty to perform these functions in a fiscally sound manner.In these hard economic times, can you identify some township expenses/programs that could be trimmed or eliminated to reduce the tax burden?A review of the current budget reveals several items that need to be scrutinized. The township is obligated for a long term lease at Foglia YMCA at a cost to the taxpayers of 1.5 million dollars. With the acquisition of the old post office the Foglia lease needs to be reviewed with the hope of termination. Excesses in the operating budget have to be eliminated.What specific background or experience do you bring that makes you the best qualified candidate to serve as an elected official in the township?As an attorney with over 30 years in practice I have the ability to view issues from multiple perspectives. I have negotiating skills that are essential to do the best job of financial stewardship as an Ela Township Trustee. I believe I am an effective communicator that would bring critical skills to the board