Daniel Militello: Candidate profile

Bio

Name: Daniel John Militello

City: Lombard

Office sought: Village of Lombard Trustee - District 5

Age: 30

Family: Wife Jacqueline, Dogs Thor and Loki

Occupation: National Retail Operations Manager

Education: B.A. Advertising and Public Relations, 2011 Elmhurst College

Civic involvement: Lombard Community Relations Committee, Former Local Chapter President Habitat for Humanity, Former Local Chapter Steering Committee Member Relay For Life.

Previous elected offices held: None

Incumbent? If yes, when were you first elected? No

Website: https://www.danforlombard.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DanForLombard/

Twitter: None

Issue questions

What are the most important issues facing your community and how do you intend to address them?

Business development and community involvement are the two most important issues facing the Village. This past month, I sent out a survey to the residents of my district asking this very same question, and our community overwhelmingly confirmed that business development and the public's civic involvement are our biggest concerns. As Village Trustee, I will be the community's advocate for a proactive approach to attracting future businesses and providing a sustainable environment for our current retailers. One of my top priorities will be a regular review of the Village's Strategic Plan. This review will provide an open forum for our residents to express their opinions of the type of businesses we believe would be beneficial to Lombard. Currently, some of our residents are concerned that the Village is not hearing their opinions on issues. To further community involvement, I will be fully available to the public and transparent on every issue and vote, while providing all of our residents with multiple avenues to contact and interact with me and the Board. In addition to the Village's website, I will disseminate information relating to the issues affecting our Village through social media, emails, letters, and direct phone calls to our residents.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

I will always take the approach that I am a resident first and not a politician. My wife Jacqueline and I moved to Lombard to grow our family due to the Village's excellent reputation and we remain heavily invested in Lombard's future and continued success. Throughout my life, and through my involvement in education, charity, and my professional career, I have always excelled in my ability to build a consensus and lead groups towards a common goal. I have always seen the importance of listening to all sides of an issue, prior to making a decision, and I will continue to promote that approach on the Village Board. I also have a great understanding of the responsibilities of our Board, as well as the numerous public and private entities that interact with our Village. I will always be readily available to discuss the issues facing our community with our residents.

Describe your leadership style and explain how you think that will be effective in producing actions and decisions with your village board or city council.

My leadership style is communicative while taking responsibility for achieving the ultimate goal. I believe collaboration is essential whether it be with residents, businesses, village committees or fellow members of the Board. All successful teams I have led in the past have been a place for open dialogue while working towards resolving a common issue or goal. Input from all parties that will be affected by the final decision is imperative to maintaining effective and transparent operations. By being a champion for the best idea, even if it isn't my own, I firmly believe I will be able to communicate the needs of District 5 to the Board. Keeping an open and transparent line of communication with the residents as well a following up with detailed reasoning behind why a decision was made will allow the residents to be well informed and actively involved in the process.

How would you describe the condition of your community's budget, and what are the most important specific actions the town should take to assure providing the level of services people want?

The Village of Lombard is currently in a difficult situation where our revenue sources have not been kept in line with the Village's current expenditures. The Board has handled this budgetary issue with a two-prong approach of increasing revenue while reducing the burden of expenses. Lombard has been working to close a budget deficit that has existed since 2016. In doing so, the Village made reductions in Village services including senior services, overnight lobby staffing at the Police Department, and curbside brush collection, while increasing our "Eating Tax". Property Tax makes up roughly 10% of the Village's Proposed 2019 Budget, while the most significant revenue source comes from variations of Sales Tax. Lombard must encourage development to increase the sales tax base in order to avoid having to raise water rates, property tax levies, or cut any vital services. Working with the Board to proactively change outdated regulations, which currently inhibit business growth, while advocating for available grants to the business community, will ensure increased development. Lombard is a great and unique Village, and I will be a constant advocate in attracting new businesses in an effort to maintain our quality services without adding to our ever increasing tax burden.

What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?

I want to institute an annual review of the Village's Strategic Plan with the full involvement and participation of our residents. Through my direct interaction with our community, through my surveys and walking door to door throughout the neighborhood, I have found that many residents are unaware of the existence of the Village's Strategic Plan, do not know where to find it, or are unaware of the thought process behind the Plan. With the continued development of Lombard as a top priority, this review would allow the Board to consistently receive feedback from our residents on the type of businesses we should seek to attract. Successful development is necessary now more than ever, with many brick and mortar retailers closing, affecting the Village's budget and reliance on sales revenue. A transparent plan and review on redevelopment options will help the community, involve our residents, and promotes an "Amazon Proof" sales revenue base for our Village.