Dominic Marturano: Candidate profile

Bio

Name: Dominic Marturano

City: Lindenhurst

Office sought: Village President

Age: 61

Family: Married to Linda for 37+ years; son Vince and spouse Mary and their sons Lorenzo and Lennon; daughter Michelle and spouse Dallas

Occupation: Sr. Manager of Information Technology at Uline

Education: Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science w/Minor in Business Administration from NIU; Associate of Arts and Sciences Degree from CLC

Civic involvement: Board member for Lake Villa Township Lions Club, Board member for the Lake County Municipal League, Board member for the Central Lake County Joint Action Water Agency, former Board member for the Heritage Trails Homeowners Association, former Board member for Girls Iceless Hockey Association, former coach and referee for Lindenhurst Youth Soccer, Lindenhurst Travel Soccer, Lindenhurst Park District Youth Basketball.

Previous elected offices held: Elected Village Trustee in 2007, re-elected in 2011.

Incumbent? Yes. If yes, when were you first elected? 2015.

Website: LindenhurstBestChoice.com

Facebook: LindenhurstBestChoice

Twitter: n/a

Issue questions

What are the most important issues facing your community and how do you intend to address them?

Economic development is most important to our community. The Village Board and staff are working to increase economic development in our Village after having successfully completed the Lake Michigan Water Project (under budget and ahead of schedule). We are working to recruit new businesses and also support our current businesses. Our efforts are already bearing fruit with new businesses coming to Lindenhurst and current businesses are planning to invest in infrastructure repairs and filling empty storefronts. Economic development takes time. With the acquisition of a long-term, high-quality supply of water, and our community's other desirable qualities, such as schools, parks, lakes, forest preserves, and libraries, Lindenhurst is now much better positioned in this competitive area.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

Leadership. My experienced, proven leadership. As Mayor of Lindenhurst for the past 4 years, and previously a Village Trustee for 8 years, I'm familiar with the budget, the strengths and opportunities of the Village, and have a proven track record for doing the right things for Lindenhurst and our residents. I have been involved in my community for a long time, as a volunteer helping others, and in several leadership positions. When I became Mayor, I did not have to learn on-the-job to be a leader; I utilized my leadership qualities and experiences immediately. During my time on the Village Board, the Illinois Policy Institute recognized Lindenhurst for the positive changes we had made. We completed our large projects on time and on budget. Our annual financial audits by independent auditors are always clean and accurate. But, there is still more work to be done. We will use the data we've obtained from last year's survey and Village street analysis to help us prioritize projects and improve services. I will use my experience from the Village Board and as Mayor to continue to bring new and improved development to Lindenhurst, and to be a fiscally-responsible leader for our community.

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.

My leadership style is collaborative. I think it is in Lindenhurst's best interest that the community leaders work together to do what is right for our Village. I'm confident in the team we've assembled (Village Board, Village Administrator, Police Chief, Director of Public Works, etc.) to make decisions that are in the best interest of our community. I have and will continue to allow honest and frank discussions with Board members and staff at Village Board meetings. At the conclusion of our discussions, even on the rare occasion when there are disagreements, the Board makes their decision and moves ahead. Although I'm collaborative, I have no issue making a difficult decision if the situation arises. That comes from not only from years of experience on the Village Board, but also in the leadership positions that I've held in my professional career.

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?

Our budget is in a solid standing because we respect our taxpayers' hard-earned money. We have been lauded as innovative, fiscally-responsible leaders who spend the public's tax dollars prudently. As a result, Lindenhurst has the 2nd lowest property tax rate of all surrounding municipalities. On average, only 2.5% of a Lindenhurst resident's tax bill goes to the Village (the 2.5% includes our Police Pension Fund). Lindenhurst will never have the money to do everything. Radical changes are not the solution. Instead, continuing on the accomplishments we've already achieved - improving operational efficiencies, cutting expenses, redeploying resources into capital improvements, investing in technology, and doing what is right for Lindenhurst is the proven approach. We have been and will continue to be good stewards of our residents' money.

What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?

Under the subject area of 'government consolidation,' I'm working with our new State Representative to eliminate one of the taxing bodies on Lindenhurst residents' property tax bill - the Lindenhurst Sanitary District. Per our Village Attorney, the Village currently has no authority to eliminate a taxing body. Hopefully, with some new legislation, we can have their levy authority transferred to the Village and eliminate a 3-member Board.