Michael Anastasio: 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: WayneWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Twitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Wayne Trustee Age: Candidate did not respond.Family: A wife and 9-year-old daughter.Occupation: Attorney, Business Owner and InvestorEducation: B.S. Engineering, Purdue UniversityJ.D. New York UniversityLL.M.Civic involvement: Trustee, Village of WayneFormer President Elect and Board Member, Chicago Chapter of Association of Corporate CounselDuPage County Bar AssociationDonor and sponsor to Village of Wayne, Wayne Police Department, Wayne Day, Dunham Woods Riding Club, Wayne-DuPage Hunt, Geneva Community Trust, Geneva Chamber of Commerce, Kane County CASA, Living Well, 4Paws4U Forever, and numerous local charities and causes.Elected offices held: Trustee, Village of WayneQuestions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I have lived in and served the Village of Wayne for 16 years, without any compensation. I became a Trustee immediately following the 2007 market crash and recession. At that time, the Village faced tremendous financial challenges, including potential insolvency. I worked effectively with the other members of the Board to overcome those challenges without any tax increases, and without reducing police protection. I have a young daughter who was born and raised in Wayne, and no one more than I cares about the community and ensuring that it remains the wonderful, safe, high value, low cost community that it is.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.There is no sales tax to speak of. The community's share of the property tax is very small relative to the School District's share. Approximately 5% goes to the Village, while 80% goes to the Schools. I do not believe the Village needs any more property taxes, and am against imposing any added tax burden on residents regardless of how small the share of property tax that goes to Wayne. People pay enough taxes - income, property, sales and other - and should not have to pay more. Government needs to discipline itself to make the revenues it gets now work for its needs in the future, rather than take the easy way out and raise taxes.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?Our police protection and fire protection are outstanding. Public safety and security remains my top priority. Nothing is more important. The Wayne Police Department does a fantastic job protecting its residents. I remain concerned about everyone's safety in the future - in or outside of Wayne. Potential bad actors are more empowered than ever by information and technology. I believe that is an ever present and growing threat. Our Police Department needs to keep up with advances in technology, and stay ahead of potential bad actors. I believe increased use of new and cost effective technology can substantially improve crime deterrence and the protection of Village residents. It can also help reduce the risk of injury and death of Officers and Firemen. Therefore, I am a strong advocate of adopting more crime fighting and safety technology.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?I believe we can more efficiently manage administration with the use of technology. I helped develop (at my personal expense) the Village's online presence, including its Vehicle Registration and On-line Code adoption. I am evaluating on-line and express permit and other administrative technologies that can help reduce expenses. On the other hand, I believe that the savings we realize in administration should be invested in the Police Department to ensure that our residents receive the best protection possible.What is one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?The generation of additional revenues without taxation through public/private partnerships and community involvement. In 2014, I worked with Lamplight Equestrian Center to host a Wine Festival that raised $35,000 for the Police Department with the help of the generous and fine people of Wayne. I plan to do the same again this year at the Dunham Woods Riding Club. I believe that leveraging events and community involvement to raise money for the Village is in the benefit of all stakeholders, versus taxation, which is a one-sided and ultimately ineffective way to solve problems. People like the fine residents of Wayne who care about their community, will happily contribute and invest in it, without the need for oppressive taxes, provided they see that the money is put to good use.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?My vision for Wayne is that it remains an extremely safe, high value, low cost community with wonderful people. My top priorities are ensuring public safety and security, no tax increases by the Village and sound fiscal and operational management, all of which will contribute to the enhancement of property values.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Jeff BezosWhat is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Never give upIf life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Spend more time with my family and helping people and animalsWhat was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Chemistry. It helped me understand that what we perceive only with our senses is only a small fraction of what is truly happening.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Be yourself and pursue what makes you happy