Frank DeSimone: Candidate Profile

Back to Bensenville Village Board

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: BensenvilleWebsite: www.residentsvoiceparty.comOffice sought: Bensenville Village Board Age: 41Family: Wife and 2 childrenOccupation: Police DetectiveEducation: Some CollegeCivic involvement: Baseball coach with the Bensenville BBAA. Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 170 President.Elected offices held: Candidate did not respond.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?Spending my career in Law Enforcement I realize the importance of building a respect between law enforcement and the citizens. It is critical to build a good working relationship between the two. I am familiar with government operations at all levels.What is your opinion of your community's present level of local sales and property taxes? Is the tax just right, too low or too high? Explain.Property taxes are too high and we need to bring in more commercial and retail businesses into the community to offset our high tax bills. With an increase in businesses our sales tax income will continue to grow.Rate the efficiency of your town's police and fire coverage. Are the departments well prepared for the next decade? What, if anything, should be changed? Do you have specific public safety concerns?The only concern I have is that we do not have a dedicated dispatch center. I believe by having our own dispatch center call times could be reduced. I believe we need to keep our police officers and firefighters trained to the highest level. There should be no excuses on why we cannot give them the very best in technology.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?The trimming should start at the top. The village hall is top heavy when it comes to salaries. I believe we could use that extra money to help residents with issues like high water bills and airport noise reduction.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?There are a lot of good ideas that the current administration talks about. I would like to see some work actually get done. Since we are in such close proximity to the airport, how about reviving the Irving Park corridor with hotels and restaurants. Irving Park is a major thoroughfare and it should have more than just tobacco stores and gas stations.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Instead of just talking about creating a better downtown area we actually DO it! We need to beautify the area to attract more businesses.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Pope Francis.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?I was always taught that you have to give respect to get respect. Respect needs to be earned.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I believe everyone has regrets but the mistakes made in the past builds the character you are in the future.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?English. I liked working hard to put my ideas onto paper and as an Investigator it has helped me become a better report writer.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?I want my kids to be themselves and stay true to their beliefs.