Anthony DiCanio: Candidate Profile

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:BioKey IssuesQA Bio City: Oak BrookWebsite: http://None at this timeOffice sought: Oak Brook Village boardAge: 66Family: Spouse: Michelle Our two dogs, Tia and HopeOccupation: Funeral Service 1978-Present Instructor: Worsham College of Mortuary Science 1980-Present.Education: BS Biology-Loyola University, ChicagoFuneral Director/Embalmer Worsham College of Mortuary Science 1978Civic involvement: Member of Board: American Legion Hinsdale Post #250Elected offices held: Fullersburg Woods Area Association-President 2009-PresentHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Resolution to Firefighters Contract Issues. It is imperative that a resolution to the matter is found quickly since it has been over 3 years since there has been a contract.Key Issue 2 Find more appropriate ways to manage the Bath Tennis Club and Sports Core; specifically to make both more profitableKey Issue 3 Several: Evaluate the current system of Legal Representation of the Village. Ensure that all Village employees are performing to their maximum. Continue to provide the highest level of service to the residents of our Village. Oppose Home Rule. Enhance the relationship between the Village Board and Village Business Community.Careflly monitor ALL expenses in the face of declining revenue. Explore the possibility that every grade school aged resident of Oak Brook attend one of our wonderful schools. Pursue the construction of a Southbound entrance ramp from or near Cermak Rd onto 294 to provide better traffic flow for residents, business partners and guests. I would also organize a holiday tree-lighting ceremony for our Village. Residents could welcome the season, sing carols, have a great time; and at the same time assist the Oak Brook Police Departments' efforts to provide help to lower income Dupage County Families.Questions Answers What impact do you think staff and budget cutbacks have had on village services? Are there any cuts you would restore? If more cutbacks need to be made, what would your priorities be?It appears that services to residents have improved since changes were made. Carefull analysis of each department in the next few months will provide some guidelines.Should Oak Brook consider levying a property tax if sales tax revenues continue to be sluggish?NO Absolutely Not!No new taxes! And No Home Rule.If revenue declines appropriate cost control measures should be explored.Oak Brook's firefighters have been without a contract for more than two years. Before that, the police worked without a contract for an extended time. How would you approach negotiations with public employee unions?It is absurd that these negotiations are taking so long. There has to be a mutually ageeable solution. The Village must present a carefully thought out offer to our firefighters and resolve the impass immediately. A contract must be in place. And the next Village Board should explore every option to avoid this kind of embarrassment in the future Oak Brook should be a leader setting the direction for other municipalities-especially since it is clear that State Legislators have no intention of helping solve these types of issues.What is your opinion on privatization of city services to save money (for example, hiring more contract firefighters and dispatchers)?Oak Brook must take the lead in evaluating every possibilty for Municipalities. There cannot be any sacrifices in services to our residents; but declines in revenue are real and irreversible. Our State is in fiscal collapse. Our Legislators care to do nothing. It is the fiduciary responsibilty of the Village Board to evaluate every possible solution to any ongoing challenge. And we, as representatives of the Village residents, must understand what those we serve want us to do.What should the village do about rising pension costs?The State Legislators should honor their responsibilities and make the necessary changes to this outdated system. The Village must continue to satisfy its State mandated responsibility while evaluating every alternative. The Village Board makes decisions that have effects well into the future. These decisons must be bold and well conceived. The driving force behind these decisions is that there can be no interuption nor decline in the services provided to our residents. And taxation is not the answer. Cutting costs is necessary for log term solutions.