Tina Konstatos: 2025 candidate for Villa Park village board

Bio

Office sought: Villa Park village board (Vote for 3)

City: Villa Park

Age: 53

Occupation: Co-owner and operator of automotive repair shop

Previous offices held: Vice president and president of District 4 PTA

What is the most serious issue your community will face in the coming years and how should the village board respond to it?

In my opinion, I believe that the most serious issue facing Villa Park in the coming years is the development within our village. Although we currently have several projects for multifamily housing, as well as other developments in the works, Villa Park holds many opportunities to welcome in more large developers as well as small developers.

I feel there could be improvement in the process used for engaging and enticing these developers to choose Villa Park as the location they decide to build in. Our village is uniquely situated where we are not as developed as our neighboring towns, and this presents an opportunity for our village as well as developers large and small to bring exciting new businesses to the Villa Park area.

How would you describe the state of your community's finances? What should be the top priorities for spending during the next few years? Are there areas of spending that need to be curtailed?

I would describe the state of Villa Park’s current community finances to be in a decent position. Going forward, I would say that we need to develop new revenue sources in order to keep property taxes low.

In speaking with Villa Park residents about their top concerns, I believe infrastructures such as roads, curbs, sidewalks and bike lanes should be of our top priorities for spending in the next few years. Alongside of that, community safety is of priority. Making sure our firefighters and first responders, as well as our police officer departments are fully staffed is of upmost importance.

Largely I would say there are no areas that need to be curtailed, but we could focus a little bit more on spending money wisely and getting more value for our tax dollars. This can be achieved by better planning of projects and day-to-day management of our village budget.

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?

The most important infrastructure project I see that the community of Villa Park must address is the roads. Although our village has made great strides in the last 10 years with our roadways, while battling unforeseen sewer issues, more effort needs to be applied toward our streets, sidewalks, curbs and bike lanes.

This is the number one concern majority of the residents I have spoken to have mentioned. Partial funding could come from future development we are continuing to engage in. I believe a project that could be put on the back burner would be the building of an underpass at our train station. Although it would make things more convenient, such a project would likely cost in excess of $50 million and require funding sources from other levels of government. At this time, it is unfortunate that these levels of government appear to be cutting back on such funding, therefore we could not rely on these funding sources which would be required for a project of this magnitude.

Describe your experience working in a group setting to determine policy. What is your style in such a setting to reach an agreement and manage local government? Explain how you think that will be effective in producing effective actions and decisions with your village board.

While working in a group setting to determine policy, I have found in my experience, there to be both pros and cons. This makes it rewarding and also challenging at the same time. I consider my style in this type of setting to having respect for each other’s opinions and time to speak during discussions, helps to develop a willingness to listen and be open minded to other solutions.

Having a commitment toward ongoing learning and development with strong communication and interpersonal skills would allow for reaching agreements and managing local government. I think that working collaboratively in a group setting to develop and reach mutual goals for our community with a panel of board members that individually bring a diversity of knowledge, experiences and skills would prove to be effective in producing effective actions and decisions with our village board.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

I have resided in Villa Park for 15 years. I own and operate an automotive repair business together with my husband on the northside of town. This would make me the only in town business owner sitting on the board. My vested interest in Villa Park, as well as my 15-plus years of mechanical experience, bookkeeping, budgeting and drafting contracts would be a positive impact to enhance the village board.

In previous employment, I have solved financial problems, bill collected, held a team leader role in customer service, worked with attorney offices in reviewing legal documents and bankruptcies. I held a vice president and president title for the District 4 PTA when I lived in Addison prior to Villa Park. I started and headed a nonprofit fundraiser in my church community for a family whose child was battling leukemia.

I feel the combination of my skills, experiences, willingness to talk, listen and speak up for the residents’ concerns, makes me the best candidate for village trustee.

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

Communication is key in a successful village and community. Many residents I have talked to have stated anytime they have to deal with the village, it feels like a constant battle.

If elected as village trustee, I will strive to work alongside the entire board, the village management and village staff to implement a more structured and efficient communication and response time system between all of our residents, village board members and village staff.

By embracing the concept of being helpful and responding to our residents wherever possible, while working alongside of them to address their concerns as well as their projects. When including common goals, clear expectations, response time restrictions, accountability and results, together we can work toward a more unified community.