Nick Cuzzone: Candidate Profile

Back to Villa Park Village Board, 2-year term

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: Villa ParkWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Villa Park Village Board, 2-year term Age: 57Family: Wife - Lisa Friello Cuzzone Son - Nicholas Cuzzone Daughter - Alexandra CuzzoneOccupation: Busienss Owner - Environmental ConsultingEducation: BS Chemical Engineering Licensed Professional EngineerCivic involvement: Past President Willowbrook High School Athletic Booster Club (5 years) Committee member for Step It Up Referendum for High School District 88 Executive Committee member of Dan Gibbons Annual Turkey Trot which has raided over $3,000,000.00 in the past 30 years Member of Knights of Columbus Volunteer for Annual Annie Ryan 5K fundraiser in ElmhurstElected offices held: NoneQuestions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?Being a business owner for 15 years I understand the need for getting the maximum benefit of each dollar spent. I have dealt with employee issues, budgets, and customer relations. I am able to complete multiple tasks and complete projects from beginning to end in timely manners. I also bring a business sense to government proceedings which at times is lacking nowadays. As I work in the environmental field I have an understanding of environmental issues the Village faces and may face in the future.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.Taxes are never low enough for the taxpayer, however they are a necessity to enjoy the benefits we have. Current property taxes in Villa Park are reasonable as compared to neighboring municipalities but we still enjoy good schools, have good public works and thanks to the recent referendum will have better roads. As t he majority of property taxes go to the school districts I feel we are getting our money's worth due to the quality of education our schools supply.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?I think our first responders are very professional and are committed to providing a safe environment for the residents of Villa Park. As far as the next decade I would have to look at the budgets and long reach plans for the departments to determine the preparedness of each service. I have some concerns about gangs and crime in certain areas of the Village but I don't think it is an overwhelming problem at this time. We need to ensure crime does not become a large problem.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?Personnel costs are always a large portion of a municipal budget. It seems Villa Park, as the rest of the business world, has been doing more work with less people. However, these costs should always be examined, including overtime and benefits. TIF districts should be examined as occasionally the costs of the TIF are not warranted based on the economic benefit the Village receives. Even though we are going to spend a large amount of money to repair the streets in Villa Park, we should also look at increasing maintenance budgets for our roads to ensure they do not fall into disrepair.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?We should encourage residents to shop Villa Park. Not only does the Village gain the tax revenue but by supporting local businesses we keep them in town and also encourage new businesses to open. The past year has seen many new stores and offices open and we need to make sure t hat trend continues, especially in areas that have many vacant buildings.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?I would like to see the Ardmore train station area undergo development that was proposed prior to the 2008 recession. Now that the economy is improving there may be developers who would be willing to begin the work that never started due to the slowdown. Since Villa Park does not have a downtown area along the railroad tracks as Elmhurst, Lombard, Glen Ellyn and Wheaton do, it would be beneficial to the Village to have shopping and restaurants for train passengers to frequent, especially non residents. A developed area may encourage visitors to get off and spend money here instead of down the line in another town.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.I admire Senator John McCain as a person who has dedicated his adult life to pursuing the values be holds dear to him.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Be honest with everyone as the truth will always come outIf life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I wouldn't do over anything as all my experiences have made me the person I am todayWhat was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Math and science. I obtained a chemical engineering degree and my jobs since college have involved work with chemicals and environmental issues.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Always work hard to reach your goals and do the best you possibly can