John Scaletta: Candidate profile
Bio
Name: John Scaletta
City: Arlington Heights
Office sought: Village Trustee
Age (on election day): 49
Family: Married to Toni and we have two sons, Tripp & Gianni
Occupation: Movie Theater & Shopping Center Management Consultant
Education: Attended Northeastern Illinois University
Civic involvement:
· Village of Arlington Heights Arts Commission Chairman 2001-2003
· Village Manager's Marketing Advisory Team 2002
· Member of Arlington Economic Alliance 2003-2007
· Member of Downtown Master Plan Update Taskforce 2004-2006
· Arlington Heights Chamber Board of Directors 2000-2006, Exec Board 2004
· Downtown Business Association Board of Directors 2001-2005, President 2002-2004
· Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce Business Leader of the Year 2004
· Heart of Gold Business Leader of the Year 2006
· Building Code Review Board - Village of Arlington Heights 2010-2017
· Metropolis Oversight Committee - Village of Arlington Heights 2014-2015
· Member of Our Lady of Wayside Parish 2000-Present
· Arlington Heights Noon Rotary Member 2003-2007
· Assistant Cubmaster, Cub Scout Pack 129 2016- Present
· Member of BUZZ, A Philanthropic Organization of Dedicated Professionals 2005 - 2014
o Supported local charities including W.I.N.G.S, Shelter Inc., PADS, & Clearbrook
·Metropolis Fundraising Chairman - raising over $100,000 net to benefit Metropolis
o Metropolis Olympics Committee Chairman 2006
o Metropolis Mardi Gras Committee Chairman - Fat Friday 2007
o Metropolis Mardi Gras Committee Chairman - Fat Friday 2008
o Metropolis Mardi Gras Committee Chairman - Fat Friday 2009
o Metropolis Mardi Gras Committee Chairman - Fat Friday 2013
Previous elected offices held: Village Trustee, 2007-Present
Incumbent? If yes, when were you first elected? 2007
Website: www.electjohnscaletta.com
Facebook: Re Elect John Scaletta
Twitter: @john_scaletta
Issue questions
What are the most important issues facing your community and how do you intend to address them?
Property Taxes, Village Infrastructure and Downtown Redevelopment are the most important issues facing our community. We need to be fiscally prudent in preparing and keeping a balanced budget, while encouraging a competitive retail environment. Sales tax revenue offsets property tax increases especially with a flattening local sales tax trend. We must continue to address our aging infrastructure. We should prioritize and plan accordingly with neighborhood utility upgrades and required maintenance schedules. If done with considerate planning, we will avoid ripping up roads, parkways and sidewalks more than once which will save tax dollars and resident frustrations. The future of Downtown Redevelopment is key to the continued viability of Downtown Arlington Heights. The Village Board needs to provide clear feedback and direction to both staff and developers on ideas and plans proposed. Developers will avoid Arlington Heights if the Board is not clear on needs, desires and our willingness to support their efforts. We must work diligently to let everyone know that "Arlington Heights is open for business".
What makes you the best candidate for the job?
I am informed and knowledgeable about our village and all of its issues and remain so by regularly participating in discussions and efforts to enhance what Arlington Heights offers. My role as a commissioner on many village commissions prior to being elected to the Village Board, being a business leader in our community and managing small businesses affords me a unique perspective in discussions and deliberations at village meetings. I always demonstrate a willingness to truly work for the common good by thinking positively and acting responsibly.
Describe your leadership style and explain how you think that will be effective in producing actions and decisions with your village board.
My collaborative and inclusive style of leadership has served me well over the years. I openly share my knowledge, listen to the opinions of others, and work well with residents, staff and Village Board members to develop decisions in the best interest of the Village. My past experiences substantiate that being a good listener and leader with a willingness to compromise, results in better solutions for our community.
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 Village Budget is lean and balanced while still providing quality services to our residents and businesses. We must be vigilant in growing sales tax revenues. Sales taxes & real estate taxes make up most of the general fund revenues. When our sales tax revenues increase, we are less dependent on real estate taxes resulting in modest incremental increases. Over the years, sales tax revenue in Arlington Heights has flattened even in a growing economy. While we continue to improve our streetscaping (design quality of the street and its visual effects) in our commercial corridors, we must improve our brand image and marketing strategies to bolster Arlington Heights as a great place to shop and dine.
What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?
The elimination of vehicle stickers should be a key goal of the Village Board. Over the years, fewer and fewer residents purchase stickers for their vehicles. In 2018, vehicle sticker sales generated $1.2M in revenue. This is a decline of 11% from the 2006 total of $1.36M. This continued trend makes this revenue generator less equitable to those that comply with the Village ordinance. In addition to the cost of the physical stickers, the Village incurs personnel costs for sales and compliance. Not to mention the costs associated with the mailing of applications to over 30,000 households. The Village Board needs to develop an equitable solution for all by identifying additional cost-saving measures and exploring new revenue generators.