John Scaletta: 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: Arlington HeightsWebsite: Under ConstructionOffice sought: Arlington Heights Village Board Age: 44Family: My wife, Toni and I have two children, Tripp GianniOccupation: Vice President - Management Consulting ServicesEducation: Northeastern Illinois University 1988-1990 Gordon Technical High School - Graduated May, 1988Civic involvement: President of Arlington Heights Downtown Business Assoc. 2002-2004 Member of Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors 2000-2006 AH Chamber of Commerce Business Leader of the Year Award Winner 2004 Heart of Gold - Business Leader of the Year Award Winner 2006 Member of Arlington Economic Alliance 2003-2007 Chairman of Arlington Heights Arts Commission 2001-2003 Member of Arlington Heights Downtown Redevelopment Task Force 2004-2006 Chairman of Metropolis Olympics Fundraising Committee 2006 Chairman of Metropolis MardiGras Fundraiser Committee 2007, 2008, 2009 2013 Member of Noon Rotary 2003-2007 Board Member of BUZZ 2005-2013 Member of Our Lady of Wayside 2000-presentElected offices held: Arlington Heights Village Trustee, 2007-presentQuestions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I am informed and knowledgeable about our village and all of its issues and remain so by regularly participating in discussions and efforts to enhance what Arlington Heights offers. My role as a commissioner on many village commissions prior to being elected to the Village Board, being a business leader in our community and managing small businesses affords me a unique perspective in discussions and deliberations at village meetings. I always demonstrate a willingness to truly work for the common good by thinking positively and acting responsibly.Tell us your vision for Metropolis. Specifically, touch on your vision for programming, how it should be financed, and what role the village should play in supporting and/or running it. Or conversely, if your vision calls for it to be eliminated, explain why and what the village should do with the property.My vision for Metropolis is that it be a cultural enhancement to our community with a positive economic impact. Programming that is attractive to patrons is key to the viability of Metropolis and should be left to the professionals. Ideally, Metropolis should be self-funded through enhanced fundraising, sponsorships and donations. However, within reason and until it reaches that point, I could support a nominal subsidy from the Village using a portion of the food and beverage tax. If any future subsidy is provided, the Metropolis Oversight Committee of the Village board should continue to ensure proper controls are in place to avoid any financial surprises.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?It is my experience that there are always areas to trim a budget, but the question is to what extent. I will not make cuts that would negatively impact basic municipal services or jeopardize the safety and security of our residents. Over the years, we have cut the budget by reducing personnel by 45 positions, freezing salaries and slashing department budgets without interfering with services provided to our residents. I will continue to review the budget with a sharp eye and look for areas to reduce expenses by going line by line, asking the difficult questions, and requiring sound justifications. One area of the budget that is underfunded is street repair and replacement. With the increasing costs of oil over the past ten years, we've repaired fewer miles annually due to budget constraints. We have had some success with repairing sections of roadways in lieu of ripping out the entire section and starting over. We need to continue to address street repair and replacement by evaluating costs effective improvements in paving materials and technology. Additionally, we need to continually evaluate what we budget for marketing initiatives of our Village, particularly to non-residents. This is one area where return on investment could help to reduce property taxes.Is the village's present level of local sales tax just right, too low or too high? Are there untapped sources of more municipal revenue?I believe that the present level of sales tax is appropriate and should not be increased. Although other municipalities around Arlington Heights have a higher sales tax rate, it would do a disservice to the village as a whole to increase our sales tax. Our village is long and narrow and as such, a sales tax increase would encourage consumers to consider shopping elsewhere. Sure there are untapped sources for additional municipal revenue, but all would increase or create new taxes. I advocate for providing a business friendly atmosphere with appropriate marketing dollars to attract consumers which would in turn increase our sales tax base rather than simply increase the sales tax rate.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?I bring forth my ideas on a regular basis. Early on in my term on the Board, I asked why we levy property taxes before we set an operating budget. I am proud to say that after years of discussions and review of a change of our fiscal year, we made that change. The Village Board will now for the first time, this year, levy property taxes after we set the operating budget. Providing transparency and streamlining the village processes for residents and businesses alike has been a key goal of mine and will continue.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?There are many issues which are important to me and affect the quality of life in the Village of Arlington Heights. All members of the Village Board must have a watchful eye on the design and costs associated with the new police station. A new modern police station is needed, but it must be utilitarian in design and at constructed at a reasonable cost. Additionally, steps need to be taken to address flooding, the infrastructure of our water service, street repairs, the viability of Metropolis, and continuation of further economic development, while focusing on the retention of our existing local businesses which in turn would provide additional revenue to the general fund.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Pope FrancisWhat's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Do your very best at everything you do.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would spend more time listening to the advice of my parents.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Accounting - It helps me everyday to understand financial statements.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Keep trying until you succeed - never give up.