John Paul Augustynowicz: Candidate profile

Bio

Name: John Paul Augustynowicz

City: Warrenville

Office sought: Alderman, Ward 4

Age: 40

Family: Single. Mom, Dad, One sister and a niece and nephew.

Occupation: Campaign worker and political consultant

Education: Bachelor of Science from Northern Illinois University

Civic involvement: Worked on three campaigns over the previous year. Worked as a legislative assistant for a State Representative for three years before that. I am also a Winfield Township committeeman.

Previous elected offices held: None

Incumbent? If yes, when were you first elected? N/A

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Vote4JP/

Issue questions

What are the most important issues facing your community and how do you intend to address them?

Right now we are experiencing the largest growth in government in the history of Warrenville and over the last 30 years our population has been steady at approximately 13,000. Now with a potential to increase population by nearly 25 percent we are looking to have to expand services even more. From police, fire protection, park district and other city services these will have to continue to expand with little to no additional income. This is an unsustainable model that will force the city to make some very tough decisions over the next 20 years. We tend to waste money or propose projects that are ill conceived and counter to what the community wants. I want to make sure we are not wasting the public's money on non essential spending.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

I listen to people, the best ideas come from those living in the community. I have seen it time and time again when one constituent calls in with a problem and that leads to a change in law and policy that benefits the community. I have been a resident of Warrenville since 1986 and do believe that Warrenville is one of DuPage County's best places to live.

Describe your leadership style and explain how you think that will be effective in producing actions and decisions with your village board or city council.

I am very analytical, I prefer to make decisions based on the information and data that is given, that is how I learned leadership in the Navy. But I do not see this elected position as a point of leadership but rather as a voice of the people getting a chance to be heard on the city council.

How would you describe the condition of your community's budget, and what are the most important specific actions the town should take to assure providing the level of services people want?

I worry about the budget, while it has been managed very well by our city administrator we face the same concerns that every community in Illinois must not ignore. We have worried about the Local Government Distributive Fund being cut, the state mandated pension formulas overburdening the taxpayers with an underfunded pension system and careless spending. I would like to see more consolidation and streamlining of our services to the community. We also need to address the proposed apartment complexes that are planned to be built and the economic implications that they pose on the community in regards to property taxes and the costs of expanding city services.

What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?

I want to work with IDOT and improve conditions along Route 59 to ensure safety for motorists and pedestrians.