Michael Manzo: Candidate profile

Bio

Name: Michael Manzo

City: Oak Brook

Office sought: Oak Brook Village Trustee

Age: 52

Family: Wife Anna (married 25 years) Children-Michele, Rocco & Melissa

Occupation: Small Business Owner

Education: BS Finance- SIU, MBA-Dominican University

Civic involvement: Current Oak Brook Trustee 8 years; School Board Member 8 years; Oak Brook Little League Coach; Youth Basketball/Football Coach; Taste of Oak Brook Committee; Oak Brook Legal Fees Review Committee

Previous elected offices held:

School Board (President, Vice-President, Secretary) 8 years

Incumbent? Yes

If yes, when were you first elected? 2011

Issue questions

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

Oak Brook Village is in significant transition right now, with the challenges of lost sales tax revenues from the online shopping/Amazon effect and McDonald's departure are two of the most serious issues the Village Board is managing for positive solutions. We are disappointed with the departure of McDonald's, but it does give Oak Brook a wonderful opportunity to upgrade our commercial district.

The majority of the Village Board came together this past year to begin the process of protecting our residents against ANY new or expanded taxes by working to redevelop our commercial district. We have major projects on the agenda for 2019 that will allow us to continue to increase revenues for the Village budget without any tax increases. Every year we have been told that the Village must implement new taxes in order to pay its bills. The board majority has decided not to raise taxes and has still maintained a high level of service for residents, completed major infrastructure/capital projects & increased our cash reserves.

Here are some of the major capital/infrastructure projects over the past few years:

· $8.8 million in water main projects

· $2.8 million in hotel pedestrian access improvements

· $2.5 million police department expansion

· $2.1 million to date in Village wide water meter replacements

· $19.6 million in 2011-2018 street improvements/resurfacing

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

It starts with common sense and straight talk. I am an outspoken advocate for residents in the Village because of my experience and leadership over the years as an Independent voice, not beholden to anyone other than the citizens of Oak Brook. As a business man, I understand how important it is to have your financial house in order. I am proud of taking the lead in getting our financial house in order, without any tax increases.

Also, initially I was recruited to run for Trustee as there were some concerns that Cook County influences were infiltrating our local government and because of my experience I was asked to help eliminate the Cook County political influence from our village.

I was pleased that because of my leadership and experience we were able to protect the Village residents and government from inappropriate external influence. In the process we created an open Oak Brook Village Government, especially in how transparent we were on how we managed village funds. We created an online process (check registry) that displays every village expenditure.

Additionally, we took government back to the people by reinstating the quarterly meetings with all Oak Brook Home Owner Association Presidents.

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 starts with my independence and willingness to "call it like it is." Those that know me best understand how passionate I am about tackling the most difficult issues to improve our local government. I am passionate and outspoken about open transparent Village governance. They also know that I will always discuss and if needed vigorously debate important issues, but never make it personal or disrespectful. It is important to have open and respectful debates so Oak Brook residents understand all sides of an issue.

I have also been proud to serve as a collaborator working with all voices in the Village, on the Village Board and with Staff to pull all factions together and work together to find solutions for all involved. I have always taken the lead to discuss important items in open session rather than closed session whenever possible.

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?

Although facing the challenges mentioned previously on the sales tax losses attributed to the online shopping explosion and the loss of a major corporation (McDonald's) that had over 3,000 employees eating, drinking and shopping in our area we have demonstrated fiscal restraint by managing our Village budget with existing resources. We are now in the next phase and brilliant opportunity to maintain our "no property or new tax" positions by evaluating several outstanding and responsible commercial development proposals.

If we can maintain our unity throughout the village, we can build the fabulous projects pending, strengthen our village budget and mitigate any ill-conceived proposals, like the food and beverage tax some candidates are floating. This proposed tax couldn't be more ill-timed as we try to recruit new businesses to Oak Brook. We need to maintain our reputation for economic and jobs development and avoid any more "black-eye" initiatives and/or public attacks directed at new business entities. Ironically a food and beverage tax would be negligible in terms of raising revenue and not worth the damage it would do to Oak Brook reputationally. It is important to note the village cash reserves have increased without adversely affecting service and/or infrastructure projects.

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

As leaders we have a responsibility to help solve major problems. For years Oak Brook village leaders have struggled with the Sports Core and how best to renovate and upkeep the Bath and Tennis Club without further pressure on the village budget. I believe we should develop a plan to address the pressing needs without utilizing additional funds from the village. We should explore all avenues of alternative funds that are appropriate, and the strong supporters of the Sports Core could get behind. Currently I am looking into a possible charitable contribution from an Oak Brook resident to fund a much needed new pool for future generations of Oak Brook children. The current condition and size of our pool prohibits new Oak Brook families from joining the Oak Brook Bath & Tennis. If successful Oak Brook families could obtain a new pool for future generations without placing a burden upon the taxpayers/residents of Oak Brook. Could possibly be a win-win scenario?

It's important to add that this is simply an exploration recommendation to eliminate the past unproductive approaches that has jeopardized this great community asset without placing a financial burden on our village budget.