Anthony J. Trotto: Candidate profile
Bio
Name: Anthony J. Trotto
City: Wood Dale
Office sought: Alderman, Ward 2, City of Wood Dale
Age: 69
Family: Married with three children
Occupation: Attorney concentrating in real estate transactions and managing real estate broker sponsoring seven other real estate brokers.
Education: BS University of Dayton; JD John Marshall Law School
Civic involvement: Technical Election Judge during several election cycles in DuPage County; Addison Township Democratic Precinct Committeeman, Precincts 58 and now 5; Professional Standards Committee
Previous elected offices held: None
Incumbent? If yes, when were you first elected? No
Website:
Facebook: Elect Anthony J. Trotto for Alderman Ward 2 Wood Dale
Twitter: @AJTRETrotto
ISSUE QUESTIONS
* What are the most important issues facing your community and how do you intend to address them?
Debt, Multiple Business Vacancies, Lack of civility in government. Halt all property acquisitions and work on building up our business community by filling the existing vacancies; create a business friendly environment; repeal the Commercial Occupancy Ordinance and Residential Real Estate Inspection Ordinance; Stop Wood Dale from acting like it is a home rule unit; The Clock Tower was a horrible idea, but now we must find ways to get that Tower to generate income for the City, such as through advertising on the Tower. Bring in staff who can be respectful to all of the citizens and business owners. Rethink the use of TIF districts in the City. Repeal the Administrative Adjudication Division. Clean up the City Code. Despite the current administration's promise not to increase fees, it has increased fees dramatically. Reverse the fee increases.
* What makes you the best candidate for the job?
Legal and real estate experience. Having served as an arbitrator and chairperson over civil and ethics disputes has given me the ability to be patient, to listen to all sides, to search for the truth in every fact situation, and to judiciously apply the law to the facts, setting aside any preconceived notions. My goal in every hearing is to be certain each side is treated fairly. Also, having served on the MRED Board of Managers gave me the perspective to listen to the concerns of large, medium and small brokerages who were actually competing with one another but who shared a common goal of making the Multiple Listing Service the best it could be.
* Describe your leadership style and explain how you think that will be effective in producing actions and decisions with your village board or city council.
A "trust but verify" attitude towards all. Not afraid to research the facts and law applicable to each situation, and listen to all sides of the issue before making a decision. Not afraid to admit when I am wrong. I have a strong commitment to do the absolute best I can for the City and all of its businesses and residents.
* How would you describe the condition of your community's budget, and what are the most important specific actions the town should take to assure providing the level of services people want?
The current administration has squandered a surplus into a deficit despite an improving economy over the years. Not only the City, but the schools, Fire Protection District, Library and Park District are losing tax dollars due to mismanagement of the City. The "build a clock tower and the businesses will follow" attitude of the current administration is a failure. We need to try to get back some of the money spent on building the tower. One way is to generate revenue from the clock tower through selling advertising on it. To bring in businesses, a business friendly environment must be created. This begins with the elected officials and staff, all of whom have taken a "beat down" attitude. It is no secret that empty commercial properties file Building Vacancy Affidavits with the Township Assessor, and as a result all units of government lose tax dollars. Take what we have, and improve upon it. Devote more funds to the Facade Improvement Program and spruce things up. Wood Dale has always celebrated its diversity of properties, but seems to want to create a cookie cutter community under the current administration. The legal fees spent by the City are totally out of control and must be brought into line. Do a complete analysis of the current TIF Districts - are they really working?
* What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?
Run ads on the clock tower.