John Dabrowski: 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: BloomingdaleWebsite: http://www.bloomingdalerepublicans.comOffice sought: Bloomingdale Township Assessor (4-year Term)Age: 51Family: Parents Ted Josephine DabrowskiOccupation: Bloomingdale Township AssessorEducation: Lake Park High School Washburn Trade School College CourseworkCivic involvement: Past Bloomingdale Family Fest, Committee Member Roselle Chamber of Commerce, Board Member Past President of the Roselle Chamber of Commerce Roselle Chamber Businessperson of the Year, 2010 Fairfield Condo Homeowners Association, President Past Bloomingdale Plan Commission, Member Past Bloomingdale Old Town Commission, Member Bloomingdale Historical Foundation, Member Friends of the Bloomingdale Public Library, Volunteer DuPage County Area Project for Youth (DuCap), Chairman Chicago Italian American Charitable Organization, Member Member of the following Chambers: Bloomingdale, Carol Stream and Glendale HeightsElected offices held: Bloomingdale Township Assessor 2009-present Bloomingdale village trustee 1999-2009Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: No.Candidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 My top priority is to make sure that all properties in Bloomingdale Township are assessed fairly and accurately; this ensures that each property owner is paying ONLY his or her fair share of the total property tax burden (which consists of school district tax levies, municipal tax levies, park district tax levies, et al.).Key Issue 2 I will always strive to make sure that myself and all deputies are as well-trained and professional as possible to ensure that the assessment process in the township is fair for all. In this turbulent real estate market, we commit to 'transparency, accuracy, and accessibility in the assessment process as our highest goals.Key Issue 3 I will do my best to explain the complex and challenging world of property assessments to all residents to increase their understanding and ultimately their confidence in the fairness of our assessments.Questions Answers Name the three most important goals or objectives this board should tackle in the coming term. Prioritize them, and briefly discuss why you believe each to be critical, and how the board should go about addressing them.1. To keep costs and taxes as low as possible. The township has reduced its spending 1.5% since 2005 and held the line on Elected Officials? salaries. 2. We have to continue working at all times to improve our operations and keep an open mind about the ways we do business. 3. We need to continue to proactively engage our community in order to serve the public in the most responsive and efficient manner possible.In the 21st Century, with municipalities gobbling up vacant land, why are townships needed? Should they be serving a new role? If so, what?We see it every day: Township government is closest to the people. Townships' General Assistance programs serve as an important safety net for needy citizens, and we also provide?vital?local support for our many senior citizens. Our Highway Department?maintains roads, streets, and access routes that are not serviced by anyone else. And as your Township Assessor, I am elected by my community to serve my community; this helps make the property tax assessment process accountable to the voters, rather than leaving it in the hands of an appointed County or State official.??We serve an important role. We are not looking to expand it we strive to do our core functions as efficiently as possible. But we always stand ready to proactively respond to and serve our local community and its needs.What should be the primary responsibility of township government?Administering General Assistance, maintaining township roads and assessing property locally and fairly remain the core responsibilities of township government. These should continue to be our main focus. Inherent in these core responsibilities is outreach to the public, identifying and serving the community's needs, and constantly adapting our services to a rapidly changing world.In these hard economic times, can you identify some township expenses/programs that could be trimmed or eliminated to reduce the tax burden?We have done a good job keeping costs down. Our budget has decreased 1.5% since 2005 and we have not raised salaries for elected officials since then. We have scaled back IMRF coverage. One of? my main goals going forward is to work even closer with surrounding governments to reduce costs and enhance efficiencies.What specific background or experience do you bring that makes you the best qualified candidate to serve as an elected official in the township?I believe?I have carried forward the fine legacy of previous assessor Hank Gianvecchio and served the people well in the Assessor's office. My background as a civic and political leader has served me well in this sensitive and important position, as well as my background in real estate. I look forward to continuely serving the people of Bloomingdale Township by providing fair and equitable property assessments.