Robert Mandel: Candidate Profile

Back to Lisle 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: LisleWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Lisle Village Board Age: Candidate did not respond.Family: Married to Lori Mandel for 26 years. Three children who all attended Lisle private and public shoolsOccupation: Chief Financial OfficerEducation: MBA - Northwestern, Kellogg Graduate School of Management BBA - University of Iowa, Accounting CPACivic involvement: Misericordia - Various board positions including President of the Siblings organization Lisle Teens with Character - Adult Leader IC Stars - Finance Board Committee TriNet Corporation - Client Advisory Board founding member Lisle Eyes to the SkiesElected offices held: Appointed to Village of Lisle Board as Trustee - July 2013 to presentQuestions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?My strong background as a financial executive with leadership and board positions in both industry and non-profit entities. In addition, I have a very diverse background, having worked for public and private companies, small and large, in multiple industries. Thus far in my tenure on the village board, I have consistently challenged the status quo to look for better and more efficient ways to conduct business.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.Lisle does not have a local sales tax. Lisle is one of six DuPage communities with the lowest sales based tax of 7.25%. In addition, Lisle's fees and taxes are among the lowest in DuPage County as we do not have taxes or fees on the following: food and beverage, vehicle sticker, water, real estate transfer or a locally imposed fuel tax.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?Our police department is highly efficient. Like other departments, they have been tasked with doing more with less over the past several years and they have done an incredible job maintaining public safety and continuing to support the community in numerous ways with less resources. An excellent example of this is the expansion of the Community Service Officer program. In addition, the recently formed Volunteers 4 Lisle is a great way for community members who wish to donate their time and skills to the Village of Lisle in a number of service roles such as direct traffic during emergency and routine events, conduct traffic surveys, assist with emergency storm response, provide assistance to stranded motorists and numerous other roles benefitting our community.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?In my many years as a financial executive, I have always considered it essential to constantly look for ways to reduce costs and improve service at the same time in order to remain financially sound, especially in uncertain economic times. I am very proud and supportive of all the work that employees in our various village departments do to provide excellent service at the lowest possible cost. The existing village board has done a good job in maintaining a balanced budget and ensuring we are fiscally sound to continue to face the economic struggles of the state of Illinois with shrinking revenues. In many departments over the past several years, vacancies have not been filled or other budget line items reduced and staff has found creative ways to maintain service levels without sacrificing service. Having said that, there is always ways to reduce costs and each and every line budget item needs to be reviewed and scrutinized for potential savings. In addition, we need to continue to be aggressive in attracting the new business in Lisle to generate additional revenue and foot traffic to support our other existing business. We should not be merely looking for any new business to occupy empty store fronts, we need to be attracting the RIGHT new businesses for Lisle that are consistent with our objectives and values as a community.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?Summer concerts in Community Park. Every year I marvel at this beautiful setting for concerts at the Eyes to the Skies festival and would like to see this largely untapped resource utilized more throughout the year for families and friends to gather as a community and enjoy a concert. In addition, this will go a long way to further promote the village of Lisle as a destination for families outside Lisle to come and visit our businesses. This is a potential new project that our newly created Special Events Committee can start to explore further.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Coming together as community. Lisle citizens are very passionate about many worth-while causes but sometimes result in factions to support one goal or initiative vs. working together to solve many issues. I look forward to continue working on bringing all of Lisle together as a community.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Sister Rosemary Connelly of Misericordia Heart of Mercy in Chicago. She is an inspiring leader in her love, dedication and compassion for others less fortunate.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?The importance of a strong and loving family. In addition, the need to give back to the community and others less fortunate.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I have no regrets. I have learned to enjoy each moment that life has to offer.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Accounting, which has provided a strong base for my career as a financial executive as well as my involvement in community and charitable organizations.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Everything happens for a reason.