Gopal Lalmalani: Candidate Profile

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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:BioQA Bio City: Oak BrookWebsite: www.citizensforgopal.comOffice sought: Oak Brook Village President Age: 65Family: wife: Neetu two daughters: Puja Mohindra and Sapna Lalmalani-Segal son-in-law: Andrew Segal grand-daughter: Arya SegalOccupation: Physician (Cardiologist)Education: MD, FACC MBA from Northwestern University's Kellogg Graduate School of ManagementCivic involvement: President, Village of Oak Brook, IL for the last nearly four years. Prior to above, Plan Commission, Village of Oak Brook for ~ 5 years..Elected offices held: President, Village of Oak Brook, since 2011 Before 2011, President, DuPage County Medical Society, and Chairman of the Board, DuPage County Medical Society.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I have a proven track record of sound leadership with results as the Village President since 2011. Over the past four years, we have delivered Village services efficiently, enhanced our financial reserves, promoted economic development, and improved the quality of life of our residents. During my term, we have made excellent appointments of our Village officials including Police Chief, Fire Chief, Village Attorney, and highly qualified residents serving on Village boards and commissions.How would you describe the condition of your community's budget, and what are the most important specific actions the town should take to assure providing the level of services that people want?Our community budget is healthy. We have refined the budgeting process and addressed major expenditures without affecting essential services to our residents. As an example, we have outsourced 911 dispatch services to the county-wide DuComm system. During my first term, General Fund reserves have increased from covering six months in the past, to now covering seven months in operating expenses.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?The Village operates on a lean budget with 45% comprising personnel costs, 32% operational and contractual costs, 13% in capital, and the remaining 10% in other expenditures.The Village is always looking for ways to reduce the budget where it makes sense, without compromising the quality of services we offer our residents. We need to and will in the coming year provide more money for capital projects to care for our water system and roadways.Describe your leadership style and explain how you think that will be effective in producing effective actions and decisions with your village board or city council.my leadership style is one of inclusiveness, collaboration, and consensus building. Even though this style takes time, tact, and diplomacy, it has consistently produced good will and positive results. Oak Brook is better off today because of the "win-win" culture i have promoted, which i will maintain during my second term.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?One good idea is to create a better sense of community which no one talks about in Oak Brook. Ours is a Village of 27 gated and moated subdivisions. We don't have a downtown per se. We need to find ways and means of bringing people together. One possibility is to look into possibility of coming up with a river walk along some part of Salt Creek, a possibility i like to explore during my second term.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Honesty, integrity, transparency, and accountability are most important to me as a candidate. In addition to providing sound and trustworthy leadership, as Village President i will continue to promote inclusiveness, fairness, and civility in my dealing with Trustees and Village Staff. Gone is the "Village Boss" mentality of the past that often became contentious generating friction, reducing morale among Village employees, and poorly served our residents and business community. I will treat all employees and colleagues with dignity and respect.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Pope Francis. He is a true symbol of simplicity and humility. His commitment to building bridges between people of all beliefs and faiths is exemplary.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?My parents always taught me to reach out and help people. The day you have not helped a person in need is a day wasted.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?If life gave me a do-over, i should have been involved in public service much earlier in life. After all, life is all about service.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?My favorite subject was philosophy. The lessons learnt help me become a better physician, and a better human being.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Help others. To be happy, make others happy.