Joseph C. Felice: 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: BartlettWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Bartlett Village boardAge: 50Family: Married, five children, two grandchildrenOccupation: Unemployed, in process of starting own businessEducation: Graduated from Forest View High School in 1978Harper Community College from 1978- 1980Civic involvement: Member of the MooseElected offices held: noneHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: noneCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Be the voice of the people of Bartlett, not tell the people what need or have to do.Key Issue 2 Promote the existing businesses we have, while attracting new business to build or rebuild our tax base.Key Issue 3 Reduce or repeal the moving tax.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I have the heart and the drive to put the people of this town first. I feel some of the decisions being made are taking Bartlet in the wrong direction.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.It is a difficult time for small businesses. I feel any increase in taxes would be doing a disservice to the small business owners. I would like to look into the possibilities of rebating taxes to those businesses that remain in the village.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.There is a great concern about the condition levels in our water. Also, the Newport Blvd condition needs immediate addressing. It is not a matter of patching, because the continual deterioration is ongoing. At this point, I have discussed this with professionals in the field and it is their opinion that the sub-grade needs to be redone. Although the initial cost would be high, it would save money in the future.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?I would like to review the programs we fund that are not of interest to anyone. Why do we have things available that no one wants or uses? Those should be the first to go.What#146;s one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?Review old and obsolete ordinances that are still on the books. Trim the bureaucracy. People here are fed up with obstacles, be it business or residential.