Frank De Simone: Candidate Profile

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:BioKey IssuesQA Bio City: BensenvilleWebsite: http://www.BensenvilleFirst.comOffice sought: Bensenville Village Board (4-year Terms)Age: 38Family: Married with two childrenOccupation: Police DetectiveEducation: East Leyden High SchoolCivic involvement: BBAA Coach, FOP President Lodge 170,Elected offices held: FOP Lodge 170 President 2005-PresentHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NOCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 To bring businesses into the Village of Bensenville so it can once again be a thriving town.Key Issue 2 Out of control top administration salaries. The salaries need to be more in line with surrounding communities of our size. By trimming top salaries we can bring back basic service to residents.Key Issue 3 Stop the excessive outsourcing of jobs and services so we can bring those jobs back into the village.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?My skills working with the public for the past 13 years as a Police Officer will help me expand to serve my fellow residents to make Bensenville the great town it once was. I will work closely with our Police Department to make sure we are properly staffed and have all the tools necessary to perform their duties to protect and serve the residents of Bensenville. I look forward to the opportunity to assist with bringing more businesses to town which will help our tax revenue and revive our downtown district.Given the delicate balance between the need for revenue and over-taxing local businesses, what is your opinion of your community's present level of local sales taxes? Is the tax just right, too low or too high? Explain.I believe the tax is just right, however, the tax revenue is currently too low to cover the expenses of the village. The best solution is not to raise taxes but to encourage and support new businesses to come to Bensenville. The current administration has made it very difficult for new businesses to come to our town, this needs to change.Talking with your friends and neighbors, what seems to be their biggest public safety concern? Explain the concern as you see it, and discuss how you think it should be addressed.The outsourcing of the police dispatch center to Addison has people questioning the response time it takes for officers to respond to calls. A delay in response can potentially be devastating. I want the dispatch center back in Bensenville.In these tight economic times, municipal budgets have to be prioritized. Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?Top administration salaries are out of line, by trimming those salaries we can provide more basic services to our residents.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?I would like to bring leadership with common sense to the Village of Bensenville.