Tony Lyons: Candidate Profile

Back to Wheaton City Council

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: WheatonWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Wheaton City Council Age: 62Family: My wife, Peggy, and I have lived in Wheaton for 30 years. We have a daughter, Kate, age 26, and a son, John age 19.Occupation: Retired School PsychologistEducation: School Psychology, MS Mathematics, BSCivic involvement: Wheaton Environmental Improvement Commission St. Michael's Catholic church, lector trainer and scheduler President St. Michael School Board Cantigny Park volunteerElected offices held: President St. Michael's School Board Member Environmental Improvement Commission Multiple Committee chairs, Naperville School District 203Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?There are several qualities that I possess that designate me to be the best candidate for the Wheaton at-large councilman position. First, I have been on the Environmental Improvement Commission demonstrating an ongoing interest in Wheaton activities. Second, I am now retired and have the time and dedication to increase my community involvement. Third, as an educator, I offer a unique perspective to add to the council dynamics. As an educator, I have developed skills in leadership, public relations, communication, creative thinking, and inter-group dynamics. These reasons, along with close involvement with the community, ensure me to be an excellent candidate for councilman.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.I believe Wheaton's local sales tax and property tax are appropriate. They have remained within the average range for communities in DuPage County and Wheaton has been able to keep them as low as possible while still balancing the city budget. The AAA bond rating speaks to the fiduciary responsibility the council continues to demonstrate. As councilman, I would work hard to find ways to lower taxes where appropriate yet continue to maintain our balanced budget and excellent bond rating.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?All fire departments are given an ISO Fire Suppression Rating. The Wheaton Fire Department has been given a rating of 3 out of 10 (with 1 being the best possible rating). The police department in informal measures is rated well. They both work diligently to develop relationships with businesses and residents. Their philosophy is to work in partnership with the community in order to function effectively. I believe this has been accomplished and I, personally, would rate the efficiency of both to be excellent based on neighbor and personal experience. I believe they are both well prepared for the next decade. Both departments understand that keeping up with improving technology is imperative in order to maintain effective and efficient coverage in the future.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?In general, I believe the city has performed excellently in keeping the budget trimmed yet effective. The tax levy has been kept low and yet financial needs were met. The AAA bond rating has been maintained. Two areas possibly could use more funding: 1. Infrastructure may need more funding to maintain streets, sewers, aging vehicles and buildings 2. Also, "going green" initiatives may need more funding to get programs off the groundWhat's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?I would like to improve communication with our senior citizens. They are vibrant and important constituents who keep well abreast of community affairs. I believe this is a group with which we need to increase our contact and ensure that we are not only listening to their concerns but also listening to their ideas. They offer us a vast array of experiences and a large knowledge base. This would be easiest to do at the retirement and convalescent centers. To accomplish this I would like to consider implementing one or more of the following ideas: 1. To have a designated contact person for the residents (in addition to their geographic council representative). I would be willing to be this contact person. 2. Possibly conduct a forum at the centers biannually or quarterly to listen to concerns and give updates 3. Possibly have a city council meeting or meetings specific for them to bring concerns to the councilWhat other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?As a former member of the Environmental Improvement Commission (EIC), I would like the council to form a closer relationship with the EIC. This could be in the form of one or more of these ideas: 1. Have more frequent updates from the EIC to ascertain if there are issues with which the council could help 2. Possibly have a council member attend an EIC meeting or an EIC member attend a council meeting, possibly once each quarter 4. As a council, look for environmental issues that could be funneled to the EIC for further development 5. Look to see how the council could support the EIC so important programs would not be discontinuedPlease name one current leader who most inspires you.Hillary ClintonWhat's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Practice open communication with others and mutual respectIf life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Travel at an earlier ageWhat was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Psychology. Became a school psychologist and it has helped build and maintain relationshiopsIf you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Develop positive relationships with all you meet and the rest will follow.