John Spella: 2023 candidate for Algonquin Village Board
Bio
Town:Algonquin
Age on Election Day:63
Occupation: Self Employed
Employer: Co. Logo Marketing and Promotions
Previous offices held: Village Trustee since 2003
Q&A
Q: What is the most serious issue your community will face in the coming years and how should the city council or village board respond to it?
A: The most serious issue we as a community face in my opinion are completing the Village projects that were started in the last year and continuing to develop our community plans. Some projects not completed yet were affected by supply chain issues, weather, and delivery delays. Other projects are tasked to be completed in phases in future budgets.
Q: How would you describe the state of your community's finances?
A: The Village's finances are in excellent condition. We have successfully made and kept our annual budget for Algonquin and have won several awards consecutively for 19 years. Algonquin also has been honored to receive a AAA Bond rating for many years.
Q: What should be the three top priorities for spending in your community during the next four years?
A:1. Staying fiscally responsible.
2. Offering more programs for families and the community.
3. More development for the east side of Algonquin and downtown Main Street in Algonquin.
Q: Are there areas of spending that need to be curtailed? If so, what are they?
A: The Village of Algonquin has placed a high priority on being fiscally responsible and will continue to carry
out its fiduciary duties to our citizens and businesses.
Q: What do you see as the most important infrastructure project the community must address? Why and how should it be paid for? Conversely, during these uncertain economic times, what project(s) can be put on the back burner?
A: Infrastructure projects that are the most important in the Village of Algonquin are the village streets and roads. Algonquin has hundreds of miles of roads, but they cannot all be repaired in one year. The Village works on budgets and if you want to increase the amount of road repairs, another budget for a different project must be adjusted or removed. The Village has spent money to survey our roads and the worst roads will be repaired first. Algonquin has an excellent team in our Public Works Department, and they have created a system to the road repair problem.
Q: Describe your experience working in a group setting to determine policy. What is your style in such a setting to reach agreement and manage local government? Explain how you think that will be effective in producing effective actions and decisions with your village board or city council.
A: My style working in a group setting and reaching agreement is to listen to all the parties involved, which could be department heads, the project coordinators, the developers, and the concerned citizens of Algonquin. My job as a Village Trustee is to make decisions based on what is best for the Village and its community.
Q: What makes you the best candidate for the job?
A: I have been a Village Trustee for 20+ years. This experience has allowed me to work with a variety of department heads and personnel to explore and explain projects for our community. Being well informed on projects and activities allows me to make the important decisions necessary to benefit the entire Village.
I serve with integrity and dedication when addressing the concerns of Algonquin residents. I understand the value of working diligently to ensure Algonquin remains a great place to live. I believe conversations between trustees and residents are essential to building a healthy democracy and a balanced community.
Q: What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?
A: I would like to bring more consumer-based development to the downtown Algonquin area and the east side of Algonquin. Also, embracing the potential activities of the Fox River and the Prairie Trail, the Village could help make Algonquin a destination point.