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Matthew Lozich: Candidate Profile

Addison Township Board (4-year Terms) (Republican)

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: Wood DaleWebsite: http://www.addisontwpgop.comOffice sought: Addison Township Board (4-year Terms)Age: 52Family: Married to Julie Ann Lozich, three children, Loreen age 29, Patrick age 27, and Ann age 11Occupation: Real Estate Attorney for U.S. CellularEducation: Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science, Eastern Illinois University, 1982 and Juris Doctor Degree, Chicago-Kent College of Law Illinois Institute of Technology.Civic involvement: Past President, Royal Oaks Homeowners Association in Wood Dale, Illinois. Member and Co-Program Director, Knights of Columbus Council #10884, at Saint Peter the Apostle Parish in Itasca. Blood Drive Chairman, Saint Peter the Apostle Parish in Itasca. Secretary and Chairman-Health and Welfare of Hrvatska Sloboda Lodge No. 32 of the Croatian Fraternal Union of America. Past Member of the Grand Lodge Board of Directors of the Independent Order of Svithiod. Past Chairman of Linden Park Lodge No. 15 of the Independent Order of Svithiod. Currently a member of Svithiod Lodge No. 1 of the Independent Order of Svithiod, a Scandinavian Fraternal Benefit Society based in Chicago, Illinois. Member of the Chicago Bar Association Real Property Committee and the Real Property Committee's Construction Law Mechanics Lien Subcommittee. Member of the Eastern Illinois University Alumni Association. Member of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs.Elected offices held: Addison Township Trustee, (2007-Present)Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 To live within our means, maintain a balanced budget, save taxpayer money, provide top-notch, coordinated services, and never ever implement deficit spending which the Democrats are fond of doing.Key Issue 2 Expansion of Township Employment Education Job Fair Programs at no additional cost to the taxpayers.Key Issue 3 Keeping the Food Bank open but in coordination with other Food Banks in the surrounding area in order to eliminate duplication of service to the same people on the same day.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 reduce taxes to keep them at the current level. This is critical because people are hurting from the high taxes being imposed upon them by the State and Federal governments. The current Board has and will continue to address this issue by being responsible fiduciary stewards to ensure constituent's resources are being responsibly allocated and managed, by continuing to avoid costly borrowing that has put large city and state budgets in distress, and maintaining adequate reserves to cover unforeseen expenses. 2. Broaden the education program on how this Township serves the people better than other forms of government. This is critical because Township government is being unfairly attacked by many who know nothing about the services our Township provides. The current Board has and will continue to address this issue by continuing to inform residents about Township programs, and the reasons behind them. 3. To enhance the ethics and transparency standards previously established by the Township Board. This is critical because voters should know the character and values of the people who serve them. The current Board has and will continue to address this issue by giving residents a close connection and accountability with their Township officials, unlike larger governments.In the 21st Century, with municipalities gobbling up vacant land, why are townships needed? Should they be serving a new role? If so, what?Townships are the oldest form of government in the United States that is closest to the people. Township officials know people by their first name. Our office is local, not in Downtown Chicago or Wheaton. Township officials live in the communities we serve, as a result, we know best the needs of our citizens and can serve them better. The new role our township should provide is to be given some programs the county provides, because we can do them for less expense and better.What should be the primary responsibility of township government?It is and always has been General Assistance and Road Maintenance, but our township does more with an expanded Food Pantry, a transportation program for senior disabled, a Clothes Closet which provides clothing for those going out on job interviews, a food donation program, passport assistance, Christmas Party for needy children, holiday food provision, senior citizen activity programs, and much, much more that county, state and federal governments cannot provide without adding to the tax burden.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 already taken that step by having one of our township officials take a pay cut, and five of the township officials not taking a pay raise for the previous four years and the next four years. Our township started a 501(c)(3) program to accept donations to maintain some existing programs and start some additional programs. This is something county, state and federal governments don't do.What specific background or experience do you bring that makes you the best qualified candidate to serve as an elected official in the township?My dedication and experience being on the Township Board for six years, my experience as an attorney to understand the Township Code, and other State statutes that regulate what Township Government services and functions we are allowed to perform, and my absolute firm commitment to maintain a balanced budget.