Michael Manzo: 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: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Oak Brook Village boardAge: 44Family: I live in Oak Brook with my wife Anna and our 3 children (Michele 14, Rocco 13, Melissa 9). My mother in law, Elda Fidanzia lives with us. We have lived in Oak Brook nearly 10 years. I want to keep Oak Brook a great place to live and raise a family.Occupation: Self Employed ( starting a new Insurance company)Education: MBA- Dominican UniversityBachelor in Finance- Southern Illinois UniversityCivic involvement: Oak Brook CaucusOak Brook Little League CoachPanthers Football Head CoachElected offices held: Proviso Township High School Board member (1995 - 2002)Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Village expendituresFor example, the Village of Oak Brook has spent 1.7 million dollars in attorney fees over the last three years. Employee overtime expenditures is 1.2 million dollars over the last two years. Obviously, these two items must be addressed immediately.Key Issue 2 Village servicesWe,Oak Brook residents, expect and demand quality services from our village. I believe the low morale within our employee groups is a major problem. We need to work together to create a positive atmosphere in Village Hall which will translate to a more productive/efficient work force and better services for the residents of Oak Brook.Key Issue 3 Village must become more open and transparent.Village Board meetings usually consist of more time spent in Executive session than in Public session.Also, there must be more communication with Association Presidents from our subdivisions. Many residents rely on these individuals for their information regarding the Village of Oak Brook.Lastly, Oak Brook should create a check registry in order to allow all residents to view village expenditures on-line.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?The staff cuts have had an impact on services but not a major impact. I would support more cuts especially in the area of attorney fees and employee overtime. In these diificult times everyone, including villages, must cut back and become more efficient.Should Oak Brook consider levying a property tax if sales tax revenues continue to be sluggish?NO. I am 100% opposed to levying a property tax at any time. I am also opposed to Home Rule for the Village of Oak Brook because it would allow the village to raise taxes without voter input.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?During long contract negotiations, the attorneys are the only winners. I have experience in negotiating contracts with employee groups. First, one should never allow negotiations to become personal. Secondly, do not negotiate in public.Lastly, set deadlines and stick to them. These long and combative negogiations with employee groups causes low employee morale which makes them less productive.What is your opinion on privatization of city services to save money (for example, hiring more contract firefighters and dispatchers)?Whenever possible, I support having our own village employees because they will provide better service to the residents of Oak Brook. Also, outsourcing is difficult because it will create legal battles and adversely affect employee morale. I am particularly opposed to outsourcing employees or services related to the safety and well being of our residents.What should the village do about rising pension costs?The village must address this very important issue. They must work with the State and employee groups to change our current pension plan. Every elected official knows we can no longer sustain the burden of the current pension plan. Yet, I have not seen one elected official have the backbone to enact the necessary changes to modify our pension costs.