Anthony Puccio: Candidate profile

Bio

Name: Anthony Puccio

City: Village of Lombard

Office sought: Trustee District 2

Age: 38

Family: Jessica Puccio (wife) Mark Puccio (18 months/son)

Occupation: Educational Technology

Education: Master's in Public Administration Keller Graduate School and B.A. Political Science DePaul University

Civic involvement: Former Village of Bloomingdale Septemberfest Commissioner, Volunteer Baseball Coach Addison Trail High School

Previous elected offices held: None

Incumbent? If yes, when were you first elected?

Website: n/a

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PoochforLombard2/

Twitter: n/a

Issue questions

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

Lombard is facing a budget challenge in the coming years with a reduction in sales tax revenue coupled with an aging infrastructure that is in need of repair and replacement. Developing unique and creative revenue streams, together with making difficult choices, will be the key to providing the residents of the Village of Lombard with the services and programs we all enjoy.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

I have spent most of my life around municipal government as the child of a public servant, and as an employee in public works. Additionally, I focused my post-secondary education on government with an emphasis on the municipal level. I attended high school at Glenbard East and chose Lombard for my first home after college because of its close-knit atmosphere and all that it provides. I have a strong desire to maintain this atmosphere and to keep Lombard a flourishing community in which we want to raise our families.

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 advisory and hands off. I believe the best approach to village government is to hire highly qualified professionals and allow them to do their jobs. As leaders we should provide the tone, the resources, and the facilities to support the services for which the staff are responsible. I strive to be approachable and informed so that I can make the best decisions possible and provide support to the professional staff hired to carry out the day to day operations of the Village. Lombard is fortunate to have a highly capable staff, and as long as we can keep them happy, motivated and equipped with the tools, information, and facilities, we will continue to thrive.

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?

Like most villages that have a large retail base, we are struggling with the decline of sales tax revenue. During the next few years. we will need to take a hard look at all programs and explore all revenue options small and large to address budgetary concerns without cutting key services.

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

While I am not sure if this is exclusive to me, I am anxious to explore and research all local and national grant/revenue opportunities to offset some of the costs to repair and replace some of our older facilities. I would also like to see more opportunities to have our local businesses work together to bring in more people to our village. An example would be a Lombard restaurant week, where eateries offer their specialties at a discounted rate to drive people into our restaurants. Another possibility is having government and businesses partner to offer volunteering opportunities that are directly tied to skills needed to fill Lombard employment openings. This way job seekers can prepare and receive mentorship through volunteering, that help them fill jobs in the local community.