Steve Gaspardo: 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: North AuroraWebsite: http://www.gaspardofornafpd.orgOffice sought: North Aurora fire protectionAge: 52Family: Married, three childrenOccupation: Self Employed EngineerEducation: Associates of Science Mechanical Engineering Illinois Central College (1982)Associates of Science Manufacturing Engineering College of Dupage (1988)Associates of Science Computer integrated manufacturing (Robotics) College of Dupage (1990)Civic involvement: 13 year Firefighter/Paramedic for the North Aurora Fire Protection District.30 year member of the Knights of Columbus, founding member of the Monsieur Wright Council, Blessed Sacrament Parish N. Aurora.Elected offices held: noneHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: noneCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 The North Aurora Fire Protection District needs to provide a better working environment for the Firefighters/paramedics who serve our community. This is achievable through policies that promote employee voice to their opinions and concerns without fear of retribution and policies against nepotism and favoritism.Key Issue 2 A better working environment for the Firefighters/paramedics who serve our community would greatly reduce turnover and the resulting cost to the taxpayers in funding experience that goes elsewhere.Key Issue 3 Equalizing benefits, policies, and remuneration between both classes of firefighters/paramedics(full-time and paid-on-call) in NAFPD.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?My 13 years of Firefighter/Paramedic experience gives me a unique perspective on taxpayer and Firefighter/Paramedic needs and concerns.Why are you running for this office, whether for re-election or election the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you, and if so, what is it?The Management of the North Aurora Fire Protection District needs to be more supportive of the firefighters/paramedics who serve our community.Talking with your friends and neighbors, what seems to be their biggest fire safety concern? Explain the concern as you see it, and discuss how you think it should be addressed.The North Aurora Fire Protection District has an unusually high employee turnover rate, and many are concerned about the experience level of their Firefighters/Paramedics; more needs to be done to train and keep good employees.In these tight economic times, 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 North Aurora Fire Protection District may not have any budgetary issues. For instance, they promoted Chief Miller's son-in-law to Assistant Chief with a pay raise and purchased him a new duty vehicle, promoted Chief Miller's nephew to Captain with a pay raise, and hired 3 additional Firefighters/Paramedics to replace the ones they have lost.Would you support sharing/pooling resources (i.e. printing, vehicles) with other local governments (school districts, village, etc.)? If so, what areas would you consider combining or merging to save money or improve efficiencyI'm open to evaluating any improvements we can make at the local level that are in the best interest of the Taxpayers.