Carl Franco: 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: AuroraWebsite: www.electcarlfranco.comOffice sought: Aurora City Council Ward 5 Age: 55Family: wife Laurie son Michael daughter AnnaOccupation: air traffic controllerEducation: BA Western Illinois University, Law Enforcement AdministrationCivic involvement: 30 years coaching baseball, basketball, soccer and tennis for local youth organizations and West Aurora H.S. 7 years board member North Aurora Baseball Association. 11 years board member, including president Blackhawk Sports Boosters. Currently Fox Valley Park District trustee.Elected offices held: Trustee Fox Valley Park DistrictQuestions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I have lived in the 5th ward for 25 years. My wife and I raised our family here. I have worked in Aurora for the last 32 years. I have been involved in and a leader in a number of community and school organizations, raising funds, expanding programs, coaching athletes, and mentoring at risk students. I am currently a trustee for the Fox Valley Park District. Because of this, I feel that I am part of the fabric of the community. I understand the issues and concerns of my neighbors. I have had an incredibly positive response from the community as they became aware of my plans to run for alderman. I have demonstrated my passion for community service and developed a reputation as someone who gets things done.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 sale tax in Aurora is higher than most of our neighboring communities. Our property taxes are also higher than our neighboring communities. Aurora's higher sales tax is a concern because it may lead prospective businesses to locate elsewhere. Part of the problem with our property taxes is that there are a number of taxing bodies. Every time there is a rate increase these entities say it is a slight increase that will only cost a few dollars a year. However, there are so many of these entities that do that, that the total cost for the home owner is significant. I believe there are way too many taxing bodies locally and state wide. There needs to be a total restructuring in order to eliminate the unnecessary layers of government that have outgrown their use.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 would rate the efficiency of both the fire and police departments in Aurora as positive. The fire department utilizes NFPA standards which creates metrics for coverage based upon number of calls historically received for an area. As the numbers change the manpower dedicated to an area follows suit. The fire department is in the process of developing a long term 20 year plan assessing population growth in order to procure the necessary resources. The police department's new facility allows for future physical and technological growth. My public safety concern is that there may be an uptick in gang activity. The trend the past decade has been a reduction in violent crimes and gang activity. My hope is that the latest activity is not a trend but an aberration that can be dealt with appropriately and expeditiously.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?Since the downturn in the economy that occurred in 2009, the city of Aurora has had to go forward with a lean budget. Most municipalities were and are in the same predicament. Regardless of the times, fiscal responsibility when dealing with taxpayer dollars is always a priority. With that said, we should be cautious with further cuts so as not to negatively effect necessary and fundamental city services. I would like to see any available funding go towards economic development. Bringing in more business equates to more tax revenue. This will alleviate that tax burden from our residents. I have talked to some neighbors that are scared that property taxes may force them to move. These are people who own modest homes and watch every penny they spend. That fear is real and should never happen.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?During my campaigning the past few months, I have come across some wonderful ideas from our residents. I have also learned that many want to get involved. They just need to be asked. I would propose and support advisory groups dedicated to particular subjects in order to tap into that energy and those ideas.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?As with many older towns, aging infrastructure is a concern. Aging water mains and sewer pipes will need to be addressed. Getting ahead of incidents before they create havoc and obtaining the funding to do so is important.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.I have always been an admirer of Colin Powell. He always seemed to put politics aside to do the right thing.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Since my father died when I was 8 years old and my mother had to work 2 jobs, I learned to be self sufficient.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Being more aware of my mother's challenges as a single parent, so that I could have been more appreciative as a teenager.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?English. Being an air traffic controller necessitates being able to communicate clearly and concisely.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Have passion for what you do in order to be successful.