Christopher Wozniczka: 2021 candidate for Des Plaines City Council Ward 7
Two candidates for one seat
Bio
City: Des Plaines
Age: 41
Office sought: Des Plaines City Council Ward 7
Occupation: Business owner, Illusion Cafe
Civic involvement: Business hosts donation drive for Des Plaines Pantry and yearly fundraiser for the Buddy Foundation, a no-kill animal shelter for animals; raised money for a wheelchair-accessible van for a family with a disabled child; shared story of how I started my first business at age 19 to students at alternative school and at my former high school, Maine West
Q&A
Q. How do you view your role in confronting the pandemic: provide leadership even if unpopular, give a voice to constituents — even ones with whom you disagree, or defer to state and federal authorities?
A. My role is to listen to health experts while at the same time understanding there should be a balance to keep all people safe and the economy open. If a harsh decision is made during a pandemic to close a certain group of businesses, schools, etc. Then there should be a life line in place for them before they are instructed to close.
Q. Did your town continue to adequately serve its constituents during the disruptions caused by the pandemic? If so, please cite an example of how it successfully adjusted to providing services. If not, please cite a specific example of what could have been done better.
A. I believe Des Plaines did a good job pushing through the disruptions caused by the pandemic. City hall was open with safety measures in place. Police, Fire, and Paramedics did a great job; especially under the stress they were put under.
In light of our experiences with COVID-19, what safeguards/guidelines should you put in place to address any future public health crises?
The best safeguards/guidelines are prompt case investigation. Be able to quarantine and test close contacts before they spread. Use proper hand hygiene, clean and disinfect high volume areas. The most important safeguard/guideline is to stay home when feeling sick. By doing so we will be able to protect essential workers and safeguard persons most at risk for severe illness or possible death.
Q. What cuts can local government make to reduce the burden of the pandemic on taxpayers?
A. Key is to watch spending and hold back nonessential projects that can be postponed to a later date.
Q. What do you see as the most important infrastructure project you must address? Why and how should it be paid for? Conversely, during these uncertain economic times, what infrastructure project can be put on the back burner?
A. The most important infrastructure I see are city streets, sidewalks, sewer and water main lines. Des Plaines promotes a “curb appeal challenge” to homeowners to beautify the outside of their home. I believe you also need a nice street and sidewalk to go with that home.
Tax revenue from the casino has been used to fund past infrastructure projects. Moving forward I see it being the same.
Q. Do you agree or disagree with the stance your board/council has taken on permitting recreational marijuana sales in the community? What would you change about that stance, if you could?
A. I'm in the middle. As a business person I understand the tax revenue this will create for the city. As far as what I would change, it would be up to my constituents on how they would want me to vote.
Q. What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?
A. The pandemic has brought a lot of sad stories into the news, but it also has brought some stories of neighbors helping neighbors out. I would like to feature these stories as much as possible to show that our community works together as a whole. Just recently read an article about students helping clear snow for needy residents. Show the good that's out there versus the bad we always read about.
As far as the business side, we need to figure out a way to help our local businesses that have been hurt during the pandemic. Other towns have offered grants to their businesses. To date, I have not seen anything that Des Plaines has offered to local businesses to stay afloat during these hard times.