Steve Purduski: 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: NapervilleWebsite: purduskifornaperville.comOffice sought: Naperville City Council Age: 58Family: Wife - Jane Son - PeterOccupation: Computer EngineerEducation: B.S. Electrical and Computer Engineering - University of Kans M.S.E Computer, Information, and Control Engineering - University of Michigan M.B.A Information Technology Management, Illinois Institute of TechnologyCivic involvement: Boy Scouts of America - Assistant Scoutmaster and Unit Commissioner Secretary - Naperville Township Democratic Organization Catechist - St. Thomas the Apostle Church Naperville Area Homeowners Association President - Pilgrim Addition Homeowners AssociationElected offices held: Elected Precinct Committeeman - 2 termsQuestions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?Experience - I have been a Naperville resident for 34 years, have an extensive academic background in engineering and business, have been a corporate officer/VP of a Fortune 500 company (R.R. Donnelley). have started two small businesses in Naperville, and have been a leader in my neighborhood community, with a track record of concrete accomplishments in dealing with the City of Naperville.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.Compared with other regional communities, I would say that our sales tax is about right. In particular, in considering the SECA tax on downtown establishments, the crowds in Naperville restaurants and other establishments would indicate that this is not a hindrance either. With regard to property taxes, on the other hand, like all other Naperville residents, I have seen my property taxes soar over the last 15-20 years, while in my own neighborhood, the water and sewer infrastructure is antiquated and inadequate. We must examine our expenses and property tax as a source of revenue closely and likely have some tough decisions to make.Early projections for the fiscal year 2016 budget showed a $12 million deficit. What can the city do to avoid future budget deficits? Where can the city save money or make cuts?The first place we need to look is at better efficiencies. For example, Naperville Township has a significant highway department budget that serves only 15 miles of roadway, divided between areas surrounded by Naperville and areas surrounded by Aurora. Through intergovernmental agreements, we could both reduce taxes to residents, increase city revenues, and increase services to area residents. I am certain that there are areas where we could work with the County government to reduce duplication as well. Finally, as I understand it, Naperville Utilities is a large component of the deficit. We have to look at our involvement in IMEA, our ownership in the Prairie Energy Campus, and get these costs under control.What additional regulations, if any, should the city council impose on bars and liquor license holders to help keep the downtown night life safe? What do you think of the restrictions recently created, such as relating to late-night entry, shot sales, beer sizes, drink specials and security training?While having a vibrant nightlife and being an entertainment destination is a good thing for Naperville, we walk a fine line between benefit, and this getting out of hand. We have had one murder, and at least one knifing in downtown bars, and I strongly believe that if we are going to err, it needs to be on the side of public safety. The best way is to start with required staff training, routine checks, and hard and fast limits as to serving and hours of operation. I am in favor of the recent regulations.What should the city council's role be in bringing businesses to town? Should businesses be allowed to bring in proposals under code names, such as "Project Panda"? What do you think of the decision to approve the SKF development at Warrenville and Freedom roads before informing the public of what the development would be?Besides their role in representing the citizens of Naperville in approving budgets, revenues, and expenditures, one of the best proactive services that the City Council can provide is leadership in promoting business expansion in Naperville. This can take many forms, but includes actively seeking specific companies to locate here, identifying appropriate ordinances that encourage businesses to locate here, and sponsoring projects - infrastructure, for example - that would benefit businesses locating here. Because of the threat of price escalation during initial negotiations and investigations, I do think that it is appropriate for proposals to be code-named. However, I cannot think of a development that should be approved by the Council without informing the citizens and allowing public debate.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?With Naperville having essentially reached its geographic growth limits, future planning needs to adapt to the current reality. We can no longer function in the unbridled growth mode. Also, the change from a city of 35,000 in 1979 when I first came to Naperville, to a city of 144,000, has created a situation of there being essentially 5 or 6 distinct Napervilles as opposed to a single city. We must work to either create a unified city, or adapt so that all areas have equal say and importance.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Pope Francis - In him, we see a leader who works within a structure, but is unafraid to do the right thing.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?unselfish service. My parents were children of immigrants who worked and saved, not for themselves, but for their children and their community.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?There are so many more things that I wish I had the opportunity to ask of and learn from my grandparents and parents.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Science - It taught me how to question things, research them, and rationally determine answers, while keeping an open mind to other possibilities.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Find your moral compass and use it to determine the right thing to do. For me, it was the Scout Oath and Law.