Frank Loffredo: 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: Lake VillaWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Lake Villa Mayor (4-year Term)Age: 68Family: Married - 45 Years Wife - Carole J. Loffredo Son - James Michael Loffredo Son - Joseph Edward Loffredo, Wife Megann Grandchildren - Max and JesseOccupation: Retired College Professor and Department Chairman Teaching Areas Health Careers - Dental Prosthetics Business - Business Operations and Organizational ManagementEducation: Associate of Science in Prosthetics, Southern Il. University BS in Education, Southern Il. University MS in Institutional Management Gov. State Un. Doctoral work ABD (all but disertation)in Organizational Admin at Vandrerbilt UniversityCivic involvement: Economic Development Committee - Director Police Commission - Advisor LLV Chamber - Director Lake Michigan Water Advisory Committee - Board Member Lake Villa Library - Advisory Board Lake Villa Historical Society - Founding Past President Police Pension Board - Secretary District 41 Facilities Planning Committee Summer Celebration - Committee Member Eagle Scout Projects - Advisor Cross Town Classic - Chairman Active in all standing Committees and Oversees all EventsElected offices held: Plan Commission - Secretary and Chairman 1978-1985 Village Trustee - 1985-1993 Mayor - 1993 - PresentHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: N/ACandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Continue increasing economic development by developing a recovery plan which includes all available properties within an influential radius of the downtown area. We also need to expand our ability to take advantage of our Metra/RTA opportunities with additional sidewalk and walk trail opportunities.Key Issue 2 Continue to keep the village fiscally sound by, the judicial management of money and resources. Manage today's money as well as tomorrow's by continuing to maintain our infrastructure and moving forward with our road and street projects.Key Issue 3 Given trending water table levels and weather patterns the availability of potable water projections are of concern. We need to continue to work to obtain a sustainable Lake Michigan water source for the future of our community.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I have 35 years of municipal experience, the last 20 as Mayor. I have demonstrated that under my watch we have been successful navigating through very challenging times while heading towards a recovering economy. We have kept the village financially sound and have continued to offer the services that our residents expect. Under my leadership we have been able to grow our economy and maintain one of the most community responsive Public Works and Police Departments in the County. We have been able to accomplish all this and more with fewer resources. I have a team in place that has been up to the challenge.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 Village receives 1% of sales tax no matter the rate. Although I do feel the village's portion should be higher from the state I would not advocate local surcharges or taxation. These tend to make businesses less competitive in an already dfifficult economy.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.In today's environment we are aware that it takes constant vigilance to insure public safety. We have existing emergency protocols with all of our schools which we review annually. We applied and received a grant for Lakes High School to replace cameras with a state of the art security system. Our philosophy of "Community Policing" makes Officers available and visable through the community and at all schools. We 24 hour residential and business cruiser patrols with additionalneighborhood bike units.Recent survey rates L.V.81% safe town rank. (100% is safest)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?We have continually reduced budgets without reducing services to the public. We have accomplished this by consolidation of work disiplines and by cross-training employees so they can be deployed where a need arises. Our budget for roads and streets is always a concern. Most of the Motor Fuel money from the State gets consumed by salt leaving the village to supplement resurfacing and repair costs.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?We have begun to create coalitions with our neighboring communities who share similar concerns and goals. We are now thinking collectively as a community rather than individual towns. We are sharing resources, expertise, and means to obtain mutually beneficial outcomes.