Patrick Devitt: 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: RoselleWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Twitter: @p_devittFacebook: www.facebook.com/votedevittOffice sought: Roselle Village Board Age: 41Family: Married to Angela with two sons, Matt and NathanOccupation: Project Manager for ADPEducation: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Elmhurst College, MBA Strayer UniversityCivic involvement: Roselle Lions, Roselle Chamber of Commerce board member, St. Walter catechist confirmation program, past president of the local chapter of Toastmasters. usher, cross bearer, lector and Eucharistic minister at St. Walter Church, member of the Knights of Columbus, member of Pioneers Organization, Race Director for Run for the Roses, Race Director for Roselle Turkey Trot, chairman for St. Walter St. Joseph table event, AIMS mentoring program, Sons of American Legion member.Elected offices held: Roselle Village Trustee, 2013-present; Roselle Public Library Trustee, 2008-2013; Roselle School District 12, 2009-2013.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I am a hard working team player involved in the community. I am experienced in working with different boards and members. I am outgoing and approachable. This allows me to connect and understand the needs and concerns of the people I represent. I have a good relationship with other elected officials that represent Roselle on different levels of government. I have kept my campaign promise and brought a balanced budget to Roselle. I am creative and have brought new ideas to Roselle. I am the only incumbent running which is important in this year of a new mayor.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.I hear about property taxes often and everyone feels they pay too much. The truth is the village only receives roughly 8% of each dollar collected. This is a very small portion of the total amount collected and we provide a lot to the residents. I believe the present level is fair; it provides services to the community and there is no wasteful spending. The current board has been very responsible with taxpayer dollars.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?The village is currently conducting a third party study on the Police Department. I feel that the current coverage is adequate, however I look forward to what the study findings will show and any recommendations the study will suggest. During my term, we have hired a new Fire Chief and filled the vacancy of Deputy Fire Chief. We have joined the alliance which allows us to be on the same page with our surrounding communities. It also allows us to share resources between communities, saving Roselle taxpayer dollars.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?We are in very good financial shape. The 2017 budget has a surplus of 255k. We are waiting on final numbers, but 2016 year end is currently near a 1 million dollar surplus. I served in the finance committee for the last two years; it was the first time in a decade that we had a balanced budget. There is a lot of uncertainty right now in Springfield, so having reserves at this time is necessary.What is one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?Senior housing. I think there is a lack of senior housing in Roselle. Hanover Park is developing a community right down the street on Irving Park Road that is a Senior Housing community. With the aging population, there are not many choices for seniors to be able to stay in Roselle. We have plenty of options for our residents but limited opportunities for aging population to retire here in Roselle. I am an advocate for community events. I started the Roselle Turkey Trot which helped save the July 4th fireworks. I was on the committee and worked the first Roselle Recycling event and Roselle Coco Crawl. I have been pushing for more holiday decorations of our city. I am a strong believer of providing events around the town for the people of the community to get together.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?We are currently in the middle of a 45 million dollar infrastructure project because of state and EPA mandates. We have been able to obtain low interest loans and were able to spread out the project over the years. This enables us to handle the project both financially and in steps, so that it is done properly. This project took months to go over and understand. Roselle needs guidance from an experienced board member in order to make sure this is done properly and on budget.ComEd is likely to come back and attempt to put in the high tension power lines along I-390. I have been strongly opposed to this and have fought hard against them. I personally have walked neighborhoods informing people of the situation and gathering signatures and comments on the ICC website in order to stand against this. We were successful in getting ComEd to pull the project but feel they will attempt this again soon.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.As an adamant runner, Coach Joe Newton has been the most inspiring leader to me. He taught me respect, dedication, and to never give up.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?No matter what you say or do, someone is going to disagree with you.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would have run for public office earlier.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Math. It's something I use everyday.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?We all make mistakes; it's what we learn from the mistakes that matters.