Anna Manzo: 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: Oak BrookWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Twitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: DuPage County Board District 2 Age: 47Family: Husband Michael ManzoChildren Michele, Rocco MelissaOccupation: Export Co-OrdinatorEducation: Elmwood Park High SchoolAttended Triton CollegeCivic involvement: Religious Education Teacher, Pads, York Township Republican Pct CommitteewomenElected offices held: York Township Republican Pct CommitteewomanPrior Candidate for DuPage County Board MemberQuestions Answers With DuPage County's budget being squeezed by state fundung cuts and other factors, what initiatives would you support to increase revenue and/or save money?I do not supporting increasing the size/scope of the DuPage County Budget.The county budget has been OVERSPENT almost every year since 2012. I do not support any revenue enhancements aka tax increases. DuPage County should focus on cutting the waste instead of raising taxes. These cuts must be prioritized. Budget cuts to public safety should be last instead of first. County should consider seriously consolidating departments/offices. County needs to re-evaluate all"no- bid" contracts.Though not mandated,Professional services should be bid.County should focus on cutting the waste out of the scandal ridden Housing Authority before making cuts to Public Safety.What would you like to see happen to the county fairgrounds in Wheaton? Should the DuPage County Fair be moved? Why or why not?I am not in favor of moving the DuPage County fairgounds in order to make room for a development or any other reason. As far as the issue of open space, DuPage County County Forest Preserve should work diligently to keep and expand the open spaces within DuPage County.What should the county do to improve transportation throughout DuPage and specifically in your district?I support the efforts made by the county to help our residents as it relates to making their commutes more complete. Recently a Public Transit Committee was formed to focus on getting commuters to their destination for that "last Mile". I applaud and support these efforts in public transportation. DuPage County should consider any and all cost effective measures to further assist DuPage county residents in their transportation needsHow do you rate the county government on transparency and the public's access to records? If you consider it adequate, please explain why. If you think improvements are needed, please describe them and why they are important.DuPage County has a long way to go in order to become more transparent open. Professional services is one area.Previous DuPage County budgets would clearly state the amount being budgeted for the year and how it compares to the previous year. Unfortunately, the county now attempts to mislead taxpayers by comparing the current year county budget to a year when expenditures were very high thus giving the illusion of a smaller budget. Also, the county needs to better assist residents making FOIA requests.Issues such as Lobbyist, No-Bid contracts, Consolidation, Car Allowances should be debated and discussed in open session.Please list any elected office you have ever run for and what the result of that election was. Have you ever been appointed to fill an unexpired term?noWhat other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?I am very concerned with the influence of political insiders (some from Cook County Political Machine) have within our DuPage County government. It was not long ago that Cook County Political Insiders (with the help of some Oak Brook elected officials) took over the Oak Brook governmental unit which is where my family and I reside. These individuals took advantage of Oak Brook taxpayers when they received lucrative and undeserved financial benefits from the Village of Oak Brook. Too often elected officials trade political favors at the expense of hard working taxpayers.Currently, county employs firms tied to Madigan Cullerton.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Carly FiorinaWhat is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Hard work is the only road to successIf life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Finishing CollegeWhat was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?English. It gave me my love of reading which certainly has been helpful in my life.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Need to work hard to follow your dreams