Nancy Marinello: Candidate Profile

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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:BioQA Bio City: NapervilleWebsite: www.marinelloforcitycouncil.comOffice sought: Naperville City Council Age: 71Family: My personal background is one of overcoming adversity. I was widowed when I was 32 years old with three elementary school aged children. I chose to become an inspiration to them by going back to college to show that a positive attitude and belief in self will overcome a tragic event. I was fortunate to meet a wonderful man, Joe, through my daughter and one of his sons. We have been married for almost 12 years. Joe was also a widower with three grown children when we met. Combined, we have eight grandchildren.Occupation: RetiredEducation: BA in Finance and Business Economics and a Juris Doctor, Law, with a concentration in Energy and Environmental Law. Certified as an Arbitrator. Certified in Divorce and Family Mediation, including screening for impairments and domestic violence.Civic involvement: Nancy has served her community as a volunteer for over a decade in the following organizations: 1. Naperville Evening Kiwanis, Member 2. Naperville Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry, Board Member/Legal Committee 3. Naperville Elderly Homes (a/k/a Martin Avenue Apartments), Board Member/Secretary 4. Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873, Auxiliary Member 5. Linden Oaks Hospital, Volunteer 6. City of Naperville Public Utilities Advisory Board, Member 7. Omnia Performing Arts Center, Board Member/SecretaryElected offices held: 1. Vice President, Windy City Miata Club 2. Secretary, Martin Avenue Apartments 3, Secretary, Omnia Performing Arts CenterQuestions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I view public service on the City Council as another opportunity to serve the community. . Now that I am retired from full time employment, I have the time available to serve as a City Council member. I bring three skill sets to the nonpartisan City Council: 1. An in-depth knowledge of public utilities and business gained from a 30 year career working in the interstate natural gas pipeline and telecommunications industries. This experience is unmatched by any other candidate for City Council. My expertise is in the areas of accounting, strategic planning, regulatory/legal and procurement. This expertise is important because the City of Naperville owns and operates an electric utility and a water/wastewater utility. 2. Twenty years of experience interacting with Federal and State regulatory agencies. This experience will help me to identify wasteful and onerous rules and regulations to revise or eliminate any that result in higher costs of living and doing business in Naperville. 3. Five years of experience as an Arbitrator for insurance claims and contracts, as well training in Divorce and Family Mediation. This expertise and experience would be useful for City Council proceedings.What is your opinion of your community's present level of local sales and property taxes? Is the tax just right, too low or too high? Explain.Sales Tax: Every tax payer will say any tax rate is too high, but in this case the majority of the sales tax rate for Naperville consists of items that are not controlled by the city. The 7.25% base rate cannot be lowered by the City of Naperville because it consists of 6.25% for the State of Illinois and 1% for DuPage County. Naperville also has a 1% surcharge on food and beverages. This additional 1% goes to the Special Events and Cultural Amenities Fund ("SECA") fund. The final rate for food and beverages of 8.25% is not out of line with the surrounding cities. For instance, Bolingbrook's base rate is 8.5% and Aurora's base rate is 8.25%. Property Tax: The city reports the average homeowner has seen a decline in their property tax bill over the last five years equal to $85 (see http://www.naperville.il.us/propertytax.aspx). The dollar amount included in the tax levy decreased over the last five years because the city had excess cash to use for the shortfall in revenues, while the combined city property tax rate has increased. As the value of our homes increase, the tax bill will automatically increase even if the combined city property tax rate remains the same. A slight increase in the combined tax rate was approved by the City Council on December 2, 2014.Early projections for the fiscal year 2016 budget showed a $12 million deficit. What can the city do to avoid future budget deficits? Where can the city save money or make cuts?We are now facing a deficit that is primarily due to debt service for the new Public Works Facility, road construction and the 75th and Washington intersection, as reported to City Council by Doug Krieger during budget discussions. I do not like deficits or the fact that the city no longer has excess cash on hand, and wonder if the $85 annual savings over the last five years reported for the average homeowner would have covered this shortfall in funds and prevented the deficit. The current City Council asked Mr. Krieger to see if he could find some "fat" to take out of the budget and he agreed to do so. I would take the same approach. If this proves to be insufficient to eliminate the deficit and start building the rainy day fund, a prudent City Council member would agree to raise the property tax rate. If this occurs, the amount necessary should be stated in terms of the annual dollar impact on the average taxpayer to give each taxpayer the chance to make a reasoned decision regarding their response to such a plan. In addition, increasing revenue from sales taxes could lower the deficit.What additional regulations, if any, should the city council impose on bars and liquor license holders to help keep the downtown night life safe? What do you think of the restrictions recently created, such as relating to late-night entry, shot sales, beer sizes, drink specials and security training?The city should not impose any additional regulations. I do not agree with the recent restrictions on these businesses. This was like taking a sledge hammer to a pin. There are generally unintended consequences when any regulation is written without thorough investigation into the impact on the entire community, as was evidenced when business owners with establishments outside of the downtown area testified as to the impact of the changes on their business. The more appropriate course of action would have been to suspend the liquor licenses of the offending establishments, pursuant to Section 3-3-24-4 of the Naperville Code of Ordinances for a reasonable period that would allow such establishments to revise their business plans. Imposing new rules on establishments that did not cause the problems is not appropriate as it makes the business environment in Naperville less appealing. These actions by the City Council were closely followed by another interference with a business - not allowing Walgreen's to sell liquor at the downtown Naperville location. Of interest is the fact that the City Council either has, or is considering, allowing the Naperville Park District to sell beer and wine at the snack shop on the Riverwalk, which is also in downtown Naperville. Every beer or wine sold at this snack shop is one less beer or wine sold by a local business.What should the city council's role be in bringing businesses to town? Should businesses be allowed to bring in proposals under code names, such as "Project Panda"? What do you think of the decision to approve the SKF development at Warrenville and Freedom roads before informing the public of what the development would be?The City Council's role is to reduce or revise regulations that result in higher costs of living and doing business in Naperville, as well as manage its public utilities in a manner that allows them to continue to have competitive rates and reliable service. Businesses have the right to identify their proposals in any manner that fits their business plan/model. The name of a project is not important. The scope of the project is what is important. Project Panda is the SKF development. Businesses have the right to confidentiality. SKF USA, Inc. will build its new North American research and development facility in Naperville at Warrenville Road and Lucent Lane, and create 40 full time jobs within two years and another 40 within four years. According to an August 11, 2014 press release from the City of Naperville, SKF choose Naperville "to access Illinois' highly educated workforce, proximity to local world class research universities, dedication to entrepreneurship and competitive cost structure". The public did have an opportunity to discuss this project at the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting held July 23, 2014. The August 11, 2014 press release also stated that the Naperville City Council would be discussing this project at its Tuesday, August 19, 2014 meeting.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?I will be an Advocate for affordable housing for all - seniors, disabled, and the young people who were raised in this city and would like to continue to live here. Naperville prides itself on its national reputation as a family friendly town with a small town atmosphere and "family" implies members of all ages. One way to do this is to review the height restrictions to allow for apartments and condos that are affordable. I am a looking forward to the recommendations being developed by our new Senior Task Force regarding transportation challenges, housing concerns and healthcare resources. My first-hand experience with our elderly and disabled residents at Martin Avenue Apartments gives me insight into these needs. I will also advocate for the continued support of the Arts and for a performance center. A performance center would be an economic engine for additional sales taxes. It is my belief that a collaborative process between the City of Naperville and the DuPage Community Foundation to develop a venue in Naperville that serves the needs of the DuPage based arts groups, as well as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, would be a win-win situation for all parties. Collaboration does not mean that the city has to provide funds. The same type of support provided by the city to the SKF project could be considered to be "collaboration".Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Bev FrierWhat's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Honesty and Integrity are Paramount.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Taken piano lessons when I was a child.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Math. Earned a BA in Finance and Business EconomicsIf you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Honesty and Integrity are Paramount.