Michael Zadel: 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: Mount ProspectWebsite: mzadel.com - currently under constructionTwitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Mount Prospect Village Board Age: 70Family: Spouse - Carolyn (25 years) 5 Grown children in blended family - 4 grandchildren - Cason, Billie, Anthony, GwynethOccupation: Retired - previously spent 40 years in the field of transportation and public worksEducation: Candidate did not respond.Civic involvement: Mount Prospect Park District - Little League Baseball CoachMount Prospect Planning Commission - Member and Chairman Village of Mount Prospect - Trustee -Village BoardMount Prospect Lions Club - Executive Board MemberElected offices held: Chairman - Mount Prospect Planning Commission - 1999 - 2001Trustee - Mount Prospect Village Board 2001 - PresentMember - Mount Prospect Lions Club Executive Board - 2016 to presentQuestions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I am well experienced, having contiuously served on the Village Board since 2001. As your Trustee, I pledge to work with my colleagues and the Village staff to hold property taxes at or near current levels; provide sensible annual balanced budgets that allow for first class service to our residents; look for ways to streamline processes and implement new technologies to maximize financial resources; assure that Village infrastructure is sustainable by providing necessary resources to achieve projects identified in the Capital Improvement Plan and work hard to engage our residents to provide input into how their government operates.I am proud of the achievements gained during my time on the Village Board, and I believe that the Village is in very good shape. Fiscally, we have a solid foundation utilizing diverse revenue sources that provide for a balanced budget and we are well positioned with reserves. We have made gains in business growth by creating a desirable business environment. We have identified areas for future growth and development and taken the necessary steps for achievement. We have engaged our residents by providing a Village wide survey that will better identify issues of importance, provide guidance for strategic planning and help prioritize issues that need to be addressed. I will work very hard to see that these initiatives come to fruition.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.The Village's sales tax revenues have been on an upswing since the dire days of the recession that began in 2008, and have outperformed budget projections for the last two or three years. We have also been successful in holding property tax rates and rate increases to the lowest levels possible yet still meet our financial obligations, such as Police and Fire pension funding. In addition, we have been highly successful in diversifying our revenue sources so that we do not rely solely on sales tax or property tax to fund Village operations, and that philosophy has served us very well. We have implemented a type of "pay-as-you-go" system with dedicated revenue sources funding specific programs or projects. This system has proven very effective for planning, budgeting and delivering high quality service to our residents. It also contributes to growth in reserves, and places us in a very healthy fiscal condition with an excellent municipal credit rating. It is my belief that the Village revenue structure provides just the right amount of revenue to accomplish our objectives and provide for a balanced annual budget.Rate the efficiency of your town's police and fire coverage. Are the departments well prepared for the next decade? What, if anything, should be changed? Do you have specific public safety concerns?I believe that we have one of the most highly rated Public Safety (Police and Fire) programs in the state. Our Police Department implemented community policing and engagement with the residents when the concept was in it's infancy. This has in turn established a strong sense of safety and well being with our residents. In addition, the Department's efforts in crime prevention has resulted in low crime rates.Our Fire Department is also an outstanding asset for the Village. Thanks in part to a Safer grant, we have restored the Department to full capacity and restored one Engine Company that was reduced during the recent recession. This has resulted in increased efficiency and improved service. Newly negotiated mutual aide agreements with our neighboring departments has also contributed to improvements in the area of response times and area coverage. Our paramedic program is second to none, operating with highly trained paramedic staff and utilizing technologically advanced equipment. These developments have positioned the Fire Department to be well prepared moving forward.An area of concern for me is the existing overcrowded condition of our Police Station in the Public Safety Building. The results of a space needs study will be publicly reviewed during 2017. Based upon my observations during a recent tour of the facility, I believe there is a need to increase the size and functionality of the building to provide the department with additional space and equipment in order to maintain their excellent service as we move into the future.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?I have been involved in reviewing and approving a balanced annual budget for the Village every year during my tenure on the Board. We have been through some very lean years where budget cuts alone were not enough, and drastic steps such as reducing staffing were required to balance the budget. During those times, we had the opportunity to dig deeply into what expenditures could and should be trimmed. We discovered that savings could be achieved through streamlining processes and investing in technologies that enhance operational efficiencies. Since that time, we have tasked staff to search for cost cutting opportunities as they prepare their annual budget and challenged management to further refine budget proposals prior to submitting them to for review. Our Finance Commission then reviews the proposals and questions expenditures that they feel may be unnecessary. Finally, the budget is reviewed by the Village Board at two public meetings before it is brought forth for final approval. I firmly believe that this intensive and thorough review process leaves little room for excess spending. Conversely, there are always areas where additional funding would enhance either Village operations or our infrastructure. I think that our Capital Improvement Program could utilize additional funding resources in the areas of flood control, sewer and water main improvements, street light enhancements, and bike path and sidewalk improvements.What is one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?I believe that the best way to "better the community" is to continue improving the services that we provide to our residents. While people may be talking about parts of this issue, I see it as a universal concern with the majority of our residents. It is important that our Police Department continues to engage all facets of our community with their efforts in crime prevention and community policing. This provides a strong sense of security and safety within the Village. Likewise, our Fire Department has a great responsibility to continue providing the utmost in life saving paramedic service as well as protecting against the ravages of fire. Our Public Works Department is responsible for providing safe potable water to the majority of the community, as well as maintaining and protecting our vast infrastructure investment. Our Human Services department sets a high standard by providing services to seniors who may need assistance. They also provide services at our Community Connections Center, assisting a diverse group of residents who may have language barriers or other issues requiring special attention. To me, providing for the well being of our citizens through outstanding service delivery is the basic purpose of local government, and directly contributes to the quality of life in Mount Prospect. As a Village Trustee, it is my obligation to continue making every effort to provide these services in the most effective and efficient way possible.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?I am concerned with the current fiscal condition of the State and the ongoing inability of the legislature to adopt a budget. The resulting fiscal uncertainties have resulted in the very real possibility that state lawmakers will "sweep" funds that are rightfully earmarked for municipalities and have been the mainstay of local budgets for decades. For now, we (the Village) have developed a viable fiscal contingency plan that would aide in us in getting through some of these issues without unduly raising the tax burden of our residents. However, the only real solution lies in the hands of the Governor and the Legislature. Since 2013, I have been active in working through the Northwest Municipal Conference, traveling to Springfield and discussing issues of concern directly with both our local legislators and those from neighboring districts. These in-person visits have provided many favorable outcomes, and provide an additional tool to make our concerns heard. A second issue that is very important now and into the future is the advent of the new TIF district. I believe that the downtown plan recently adopted by the Village Board is a good model to draw from with regard to the types of developments that would be successful in the new TIF area. I am a strong advocate of adding high quality sustainable developments on a timely basis to enhance the viability of our downtown businesses and improve property values.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Cubs Manager Joe MaddenWhat is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Do not pick on a brother who is 6'4 tall and an All America football player.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I honestly don't know - life experiences made me who I am today, and I can't think of anything I would change.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?My favorite subject was math; it helped me learn how to logically analyze issues and apply solutions resulting in good decisionsIf you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Relentlessly pursue your dreams.