Vincent Dante: 2023 candidate for Mount Prospect Village Board trustee
Bio
Town: Mount Prospect
Age on Election Day: 51
Occupation: Realtor
Employer: Baird & Warner
Previous offices held: None
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: I see public safety as big challenge (see next question on this topic). Another area of concern is community confidence in the village board. I'd like to see more outreach to citizens in an informal manner, e.g. coffee with council. I will do my best to encourage a positive outlook of the elected officials.
Q: How would you describe the state of your community's finances?
A: The village has a history of being fiscally responsible. I'd like to see that continue. I'd like to see more commercial growth in order to see more tax revenue for the village. I'd also like to focus on social services and see what more we could offer from that standpoint.
Q: What should be the three top priorities for spending in your community during the next four years?
A: Public safety, health, and social services.
Q: Are there areas of spending that need to be curtailed? If so, what are they?
A: Bridge development and no further redevelopment of the Chase building until the litigation has been completed.
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: Fairview gardens sewer pump station rehabilitation, Golf Road Fire Department could use a refresh. Streetlights in several areas of the village could use illumination. Backyard flooding program, currently the village splits costs with the homeowner. Government grants should be requested in both of these infrastructure projects. Bridge development should be placed on the back burner.
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: I'm committed to being open minded, collaborative and will be willing to dive into a wide range of issues. I will bring good listening skills, critical thinking and do my best to communicate thoughts in a clear, concise, and logical manner. I feel strongly that a trustee understand the role of the board and the value of our nonpartisan system.
Q: What makes you the best candidate for the job?
A: I am not a politician and have no desire to be one. I will put the interests of the village above my own and do my best to balance competing interests, goals, and objectives. I feel I would bring a fresh perspective and fresh ideas. Lastly, I believe in term limits.
Q: What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?
A: I'd like to see neighborhood watch programs play a bigger role. These programs encourage people to look out for one other and keep our streets safe. I would like to see more outreach and education from our law enforcement as well as the village on public safety. One example is the use of our emergency texting system. We have the ability to send out messages regarding emergency and community alerts in real time, but we need people to be aware of this system and to register for it.