Todd Scalzo: 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: WheatonWebsite: www.toddscalzo.comTwitter: @toddscalzoFacebook: Todd Scalzo - Wheaton City CouncilOffice sought: Wheaton City Council West District Age: 38Family: UnmarriedOccupation: AttorneyEducation: The John Marshall Law School, Chicago, ILUniversity of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, ILBenet Academy, Lisle, ILSt. Michael School, Wheaton, ILCivic involvement: Wheaton Chamber of CommerceDowntown Wheaton AssociationDuPage County Bar Association, Local Government CommitteeDuPage Mayors Managers Conference, Legislative CommitteeSt. Michael ParishWheaton Sport CenterElected offices held: Wheaton City Council, West District, 2009-PresentQuestions Answers What downtown improvement projects do you think need to be a priority and why? Is there work you want to eliminate?Front Street is an immediate priority because it's in such bad shape. The City Council already approved its rehabilitation, which is now in the beginning stages. Secondly, the area south of the railroad tracks needs attention because it has been neglected for so long. The City Council has reviewed (and will continue to review) the scope of the downtown improvement plan to narrow its scope and reduce costs. Additionally, I would like to see a permanent structure for the french market paid for by the vendor that oversees its operations.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.First, it needs to be stated that the City has a AAA bond rating, which means we are in excellent health, financially, and have been good stewards of the residents' tax dollars.The local sales tax is right (1 cent per dollar), since it is at the same level as most surrounding communities and does not put Wheaton businesses at a competitive disadvantage. The City is more reliant on property taxes due to the fact that we are a "bedroom" community with relatively little commercial and industrial land. However, when taking into account all taxes and fees, Wheaton is among the lowest (if not, the lowest) of all surrounding communities as far as the revenue it collects per capita. What this means is the City is extremely efficient and does more with less. That being said, we are always striving to attract new businesses and developments in order to broaden the tax base and reduce the property tax burden on individual homeowners.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?I think the police and fire departments are very efficient. Again, this starts with the fact that Wheaton collects a relatively low level (perhaps the lowest) of overall taxes fees per capita compared with surrounding communities. Additionally, Wheaton has one of the smallest workforces per capita among the surrounding towns. Despite all this, the City's police and fire departments received a 90% satisfaction rating, according to a 2014 citizen survey. Both departments have recently undergone structural changes to make them more flexible and efficient with regard to their workforce. Additionally, the fire department continues to participate in the West Suburban Fire Rescue Alliance (along with Bloomingdale, Carol Stream, Roselle, West Chicago, and Winfield), which increases its efficiency.Yes, I believe both departments are well prepared for the next decade. The police department has become more analytical with its call data in order to determine how best to deploy its officers. It has also prioritized training on civil liability issues, which are more prevalent in the age of camera phones, social media, and changing public perceptions. The fire department has increased its efforts in the area of Homeland Security and innovative training programs for its officers.Naturally, I remain concerned about all public safety issues in the City, but believe the police and fire departments are doing a tremendous job of addressing those issues every day. The results of the citizen satisfaction survey bear this out.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?The City Council has directed all departments to identify a service that can be reduced or eliminated with the goal of reducing costs or improving efficiency by 10% within the next 2 years. This is a "ground-up" strategy from our employees and departments heads, who know their operations best.The budget can always be trimmed; however, the City Council's job is to strike the right balance between service and costs. Right now, I think we are doing our best to fund all areas of the budget. But we face challenges going forward as far as funding infrastructure improvements for our streets, sidewalks, stormwater, and sewer. Many of these systems were built a century ago, but for decades were not part of a long-term replacement (funding) plan. We're changing that now, but have to do so in a way that doesn't burden our residents.What is one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?As a matter of frivolity, for the last 8 years, I have been annoying the Wheaton Park District and Wheaton Chamber of Commerce to change the name "Taste of Wheaton" back to "Cream of Wheaton." The event itself has been improved in so many ways. I just want the old name back. I think we might finally see some progress in 2017. Stay tuned.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Like most people, I am aware of today's broader environmental factors of political polarization and mistrust towards government. Local government remains a refuge from partisanship and still enjoys (for the most part) a basic level of trust from its citizens, especially when compared to our State and Federal governments. I think it is essential that we keep these traditions, despite all the noise out there. It's what makes the City of Wheaton work for its citizens and what makes it personally enjoyable for me.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Pope Francis.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?As the youngest of a 6-member household, I had to listen more than talk. That's a good trait for those in government.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I studied abroad in Florence, Italy for a semester in college. Sometimes I wish I would've tried to live there.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?History. It taught me that today's arguments are just the current version of eternal debates. I'm also guided by great leaders, like Abraham Lincoln.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Don't be scared of failure.