Jeffrey T. Dolce: 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: BloomingdaleWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Bloomingdale village boardAge: 55Family: Married, - Wife Patricia Two Children, -Daughter Kristin, married to Cory -Son Thomas One Granddaughter, -HaydenOccupation: Operations ManagerEducation: A.A.S Degree - Engineering Technology, State University of New York at (JCC) Jamestown.Roosevelt University - Small Business ManagementCivic involvement: Past Chairman Commissioner- Bloomingdale Plan Commission Zoning Board of AppealsWestlake Townhome Owners Association Board of DirectorsBloomingdale Park District - CoachingBloomingdale Baseball Association - OfficerGlenbard East High School - Sports Booster OfficerGlenbard East High School - Parent Teachers CommitteeElected offices held: Current Village Trustee (2010 - Present)Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Committed to maintaining our high level of village services while dealing with declining revenues. The village has been able to achieve this goal by reducing expenditures and controlling raising labor costs due to increases in health care and soaring pension payments. The village has also been successful in preserving service levels by it's ability to budget and use it's reserves prudently.Key Issue 2 Finding and retaining revenue sources by assisting all local retail and commercial business. We need to continue to support the Bloomingdale Chamber of Commerce, local business groups trade associations, and work with intergovernmental agencies to provide the best possible business environment. Direct support though the Village Almanac, allocated business districts, TIF districts, and the Village Websites.Key Issue 3 Resolve to find a solution to our occasional and localized village flooding problem. Although flooding may not be a village wide issue, the cost associated with it's correction will require a large investment of village funds and resources. Investigation into this problem has already begun and the village consultants are in the early stages of recommendations.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?As a member of the Village's Plan Commission Zoning Board of Appeals for the past nine years, and as it's chairman the last four, I have gained valuable knowledge and experience with the village board, mayor, planners, and staff. I have a firm grasp on all village issues with ten years of village involvement including the last one as the incumbent trustee.Prior to village involvement I have a proven track record of community service. Twenty years of service to the Westlake Townhome Association, park district coaching and local school committees.I am also currently employed as an Operations Manager overseeing a large department comparable in size to our village's operations. I am familiar with issues currently facing our village. Labor costs, multiple unions, budget preparation, purchasing, material and service contracts, and capital grant funding.I am an independent thinker committed to quality of life issues. I am using my own funds for my campaign and not being held to the influence of any political party.Given the delicate balance between the need for revenue and over-taxing local businesses, what is your opinion of your community's present level of local sales taxes? Is the tax just right, too low or too high? Explain.The level of village sales taxes has to be measured against our current village budget. We maintain a balance of taxes required against budget needs. I believe that the village currently has maintained an adequate balance. I would classify the rates as just right. In order to keep our tax rate as low as possible, I have supported the reduction of staff by ten positions, continue to object to imposing new taxes as in a restaurant tax, liquor tax, various utility taxes, and vehicle stickers. Although, taxes could always be lower I will continue working with the current administration toward lowering the village's portion. When looking at the combined tax rate for all county, state and federal taxing bodies the overall tax rate is unbearable to all consumers and businesses in this state. All these taxes combined are ridiculously high.Talking with your friends and neighbors, what seems to be their biggest public safety concern? Explain the concern as you see it, and discuss how you think it should be addressed.The Village of Bloomingdale is very fortunate to have an outstanding police force, first class fire protection services, and a public safety record second to none. I have heard of no major public safety concerns. Some issues that have been raised include speeding in the village and home break-ins. The police maintain an active police presence, work closely with neighborhood watch groups, school programs and frequent visits to home owners associations to report issues and gain insight into local activities.In these tight economic times, municipal budgets have to be prioritized. Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?The village has already trimmed it's budget of some costly programs which were not in the best interest of the village as a whole, reduced staff, deferred some planned capital projects to maintain our current reserve funds, and unfortunately had to cancel Family Fest and September Fest. We have used our reserve funds effectively and are awaiting an upturn in the economy to restart our planned capital projects. Once additional revenues become available the fiscally responsible and prudent course would be to rebuild our Village's reserve fund.What#146;s one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?Although community leaders are now implementing intergovernmental agreements, sharing services, and consolidating duplicate programs, I believe we can take it to the next level. We need to look to include park district, school and library boards. There are many overlapping services which collectively could be available as additional resources for each of the taxing districts. This increased cooperation will also be helpful as all entities must come together to work to control mandates and other actions being imposed by state legislature. Issues such as dealing with underfunded pensions that the state mandates local boards must fund and assure adequate pension levels are maintained thus putting a huge strain on local budgets.