Daniel Leonard: Candidate Profile

Back to Warrenville City Council Ward 3

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: WarrenvilleWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Warrenville City Council Ward 3 Age: 67Family: wife, 8 children, 15 grandchildrenOccupation: general contractorEducation: Assoc. of Arts DegreeCivic involvement: Served in the Marines (Vietnam Veteran) Member of Knights of Columbus (St. Irene's Council) Member of VFW Post 8081 Served on board for Boy Scouts (Troop 30) Board President for the WAA for 5 years Baseball and Soccer Coach 18 yrs. Warrenville Police Aux. 16 years Warrenville Volunteer FireFighter - 25 years Waubonsie Valley High School and Downer's Grove North High School Veteran's Day Speaker Warrenville Alderman - 10 years Warrenville Finance Committee ChairElected offices held: Warrenville Alderman Ward 3 Warrenville Finance Chair VFW Post 8081 Quarter Master VFW Post 8081 Senior Vice CommanderQuestions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?Having been raised in Warrenville since age 5, my interactions with the people of Warrenville (as a WAA board member and coach for 18 years, a Warrenville police officer for 16 years, a Warrenville volunteer fireman for 25 years and a current Alderman for 10 years) qualifies me for this position. My best interests will continue to lie with helping make the city of Warrenville a place for families to live and raise their children; as well as helping every citizen of Warrenville to be able to prosper and be proud of their city.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.The current tax level in Warrenville enables us to provide outstanding services for the community. Today's economic recovery, and the State of Illinois, are putting pressures on every city's budget. Warrenville has been able to maintain a superior level of services and operate in the black. As chairman of the Finance Committee it has always been a priority of mine to keep the city financially stable. Every Warrenville citizen is invited to attend the annual budget workshops help in March to become better informed.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 believe that we have a very efficient and effective police department and I am in full support of maintaining their current levels. We are served by the Warrenville Fire Protection District. Aside from protecting unincorporated areas, such as Arrowhead Subdivision, the fire protection district has always maintained all levels of service for the city when responding to outlying areas. Warrenville continuously sends police officers for training in all law enforcement areas which keeps them well prepared for the future protection of Warrenville.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?We are a community that does not over-extend our spending. We have a Capital Improvement plan that is reviewed annually.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?The Warrenville community is outstanding. It is a place where you can raise your children with all the activities and experiences of a large town, with a small town atmosphere. The schools are excellent, the Park District offers a variety of programs for all ages, and the holidays are celebrated with "hometown" appeal Warrenville offers many parks, the prairie path, and a variety of churches and public services. The economy is slowly changing for the better, I would like to see that trend continue.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?All issues involving the residents of Warrenville are important to me.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Candidate did not respond.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Kindness, Sensitivity, A strong work ethic and the importance of family.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I believe that everything I do in life will have its ups and downs. I wouldn't change anything.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?American HistoryIf you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Live by the Golden Rule