Vincent E. Ory: 2021 candidate for Naperville City Council
Challenger Vincent E. Ory, one of 11 candidates running for four 4-year terms on Naperville City Council, responds to the Daily Herald candidate questionnaire for the April 6, 2021, local elections.
In-person early voting with paper ballots is now available at the DuPage County Fairgrounds Building 5, 2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton. In-person early voting with touch-screen voting begins March 22 at locations throughout the county. Learn more at www.dupageco.org/earlyvoting/.
For more election coverage, visit dailyherald.com.
Bio
City: Naperville
Age: 76
Occupation: Owner of Ory Realty Inc., semiretired
Civic involvement: Historic Sites Commission and member of the group that established The Historic District in Naperville; former Chairman of Historic Sites Commission; past president of the East Central Homeowners Organization
Q&A
Q: How do you view your role in confronting the pandemic: provide leadership even if unpopular, give a voice to constituents - even ones with whom you disagree, or defer to state and federal authorities?
A: My role in the pandemic is to follow the guidelines as expressed by our state leaders. By example is the best way to lead.
Q: Did your town continue to adequately serve its constituents during the disruptions caused by the pandemic? If so, please cite an example of how it successfully adjusted to providing services. If not, please cite a specific example of what could have been done better.
A: The present leaders in Naperville resisted the guidelines and pressed for more development and encouraged opening of business before guidelines allowed. The mayor did not lead by example.
Q: In light of our experiences with COVID-19, what safeguards/guidelines should you put in place to address any future public health crises?
A: As a councilman, I would encourage the city council to press for enforcement of guidelines.
Q: What cuts can local government make to reduce the burden of the pandemic on taxpayers?
A: Cuts that can be made by local government in Naperville would be to stress the stopping the support of the developers and open up the records of the Naperville Development Partnership to the public, and make those funds available for public use.
Q: What do you see as the most important infrastructure project you must address? Why and how should it be paid for? Conversely, during these uncertain economic times, what infrastructure project can be put on the back burner?
A: The most important issue is the traffic problems. The traffic studies should be the responsibility of the developers before any construction is approved by the planning and zoning commission and reviewed by the city council and city staff.
Q: Do you agree or disagree with the stance the council has taken on permitting recreational marijuana sales in the community? What would you change about that stance, if you could?
A: I stand with the way it is being handled by the city. On the other hand it should be reviewed on a regular basis and should be regulated by a commission to make sure it is regulated properly.
Q: What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?
A: The biggest problem in Naperville is the Naperville Development Partnership which spends millions of unaudited funds that are being mixed with the general funds which I believe to be used for gains for some of the partners and the mayor.