Tony Michelassi: 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: AuroraWebsite: http://tony4dupage.com/Twitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: DuPage County Board District 5 Age: 31Family: Cindy, mother; Roberto, father; Jo Anne, aunt; Glenn, cousin.Occupation: DuPage County Board MemberEducation: Waubonsie Valley High School, class of 2003A.A., College of DuPage, 2007Civic involvement: Volunteer Coordinator, Ruben Zamora for Congress campaign, 2006Winfield Township Democratic Organization, 2006-2009Naperville Township Democratic Organization, 2009-presentThe Young Professionals of Etz ChaimElected offices held: DuPage County Board Member, 2008-presentQuestions Answers What is your stance on county board members' pay? Is it too high, too low, or just right? Would you propose any changes?I have always felt that County Board Members' pay is too high for the basic requirements of this part-time position. In past years I've proposed a reduction in the Board's pay and I've consistently voted against every pay raise the Board has proposed. I will continue to support a pay reduction if I'm re-elected.Do you think county board members should receive pensions? Why or why not? If not, would you be willing to pledge not to take one?When I ran for election in 2008 I pledged not to take a pension and I reaffirmed that pledge in 2012. I still believe that Board Members should not receive publicly-funded pensions for a part-time position. I did not receive a pension when I was working in the private sector. That's what most people have to deal with today. It is now also state law that elected Board Members will not receive an IMRF-funded pension. I have never and will never take a pension for being a Board Member.With DuPage County's budget being squeezed by state funding cuts and other factors, what initiatives would you support to increase revenue and/or save money?DuPage is quickly approaching the point where we can't afford to cut funding to many departments without starting to fire employees and reduce our quality of service. There needs to be a new and more stringent order of priorities in County spending. We should continue with our "lean government" training in every department to reduce staff hours and wasted resources. I pledged in 2008 and 2012 that I would not support a property tax increase or new fees charged to the public. I continue to stand by this pledge. New taxes should be subject to a referendum.What are your thoughts about the county's Accountability, Consolidation and Transparency Initiative? What role should DuPage play in efforts to streamline and consolidate local government?One of the first committees I served on was the Ad-Hoc Transparency Committee. At DuPage, we've increased our presence online and opened our checkbook. I believe in transparency. Consolidation is best done slowly, thoroughly, and with the assured consent of the governed. We must always assess if there will be direct savings to the taxpayer. If the services provided by one local government can be provided by another unit at lower cost, we should seek the voters' permission to merge those units. We did this with the Century Hill Lighting District.What initiatives, if any, do you have in mind for your specific county board district?Currently the County is working with Naperville to expand opportunities for electronics recycling to our residents. I'm also interested in locating a field court for traffic offenses in Naperville if the City agrees. In the longer term, the County's traffic plan should work to improve north-south traffic in District 5. I also support the leasing of County computing and storage space to cities and towns as a revenue source and low-cost option for our cities.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?1. Working to help solve the problem of heroin addiction and the abuse of unused medications that are being circulated in the streets.2. Addressing the issue of flooding more effectively to help prevent people from being forced out of their homes.3. Never risk compromising the quality of care and services to the residents of the Convalescent Center by selling it to a private entity.4. Setting an example of non-partisanship in government.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.President Obama has always inspired me as an example of civility, decorum, and thoughtfulness, and I admire his constant work to bring people together.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?I was taught to be considerate to others and to treat them with kindness and respect.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I chose my path in life because I realized that there are no do-overs, and you must seize every opportunity.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?I loved Social Studies / History because of the perspective it gave me on life and how to avoid the mistakes of the past.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Do not judge others, because you can never live in their shoes.