Jeffrey Aiani: 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: ItascaWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Itasca Village Board (4-year Terms)Age: 59Family: Married, Linda 34 yearsOccupation: Branch Manager, Landscape Contracting firm.Education: Candidate did not respond.Civic involvement: Itasca Plan Commission, 1989-93 Itasca Village Board, 1993- Present Itasca Lions Club 1988 - Present United Way, Northern DuPage - 7 year memberElected offices held: Trustee, Village of Itasca 1993 - PresentHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Continuing to keep Itasca in a strong financial position during these difficult economic times..... The Village has been able to continue to meet the needs of the community the last several years due to planning, responsible spending watching costs, without cutting back on services. But we need to continue to have vision and look at spending long term to identify financial issues commitments that may become unsustainable in the future and develop plans to deal with any short falls before they develop, rather than after they occur.Key Issue 2 The Elgin - O'Hare Tollway will have a huge effect on people in the area in general, and for the residents of Itasca in particular. Those who live work along the Thorndale Corridor will be affected every single day. While all acknowledge the Tollway will be built, we as a Village need to continue our commitment to work with the Tollway in developing an end product that will have as minimal effect on the residents business community in the areas as possible.Key Issue 3 We need to continue to be diligent in addressing the needs of our infrastructure. Costs continue to rise at a greater rate than income for the Village, but with planning and setting of priorities we can still continue to maintain our modest capital improvement programs currently in place in our 5 Year Capital Improvement Plan. While we have immediate needs that are being addressed, we need to continue to be responsible and aware of the 60 miles of roads, the 46 miles of sanitary sewer lines, the 95 miles of storm sewer line and the 50 plus miles of water main lines that are currently in place throughout the Village. Itasca has always been very proactive in maintaining this costly infrastructure as it effects the Village for generations to come.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I have been fortunate to have served on the Board for 20 years and believe I have demonstrated a history of working with fellow Board Members Staff in getting results and helping to guide the Village in a positive direction.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.I believe our current level of taxing to be correct, given the current state we are in. While there remain other taxing options currently available, I see no reason for them to be implemented at any time in the near future.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.As a result of several requests from residents regarding Stop Signs, we are currently developing a "Residential Traffic Sign Policy" to try to develop standards that will both address the concerns of the residents, and yet allow us to follow recommendations regarding uniform traffic control devices that have proven successful in the past.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 always been diligent in trying to develop maintain a balanced budget each year. The Board reviews YTD Budget actuals on a monthly basis, and budget talks continue to be held throught the year.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?As cost continue to rise, the time is coming when I believe neighboring municipalities will need to consider sharing services with each other in order to lower cost, rather than standing alone and lowering service.