Andrew Pelloso: 2021 candidate for Downers Grove Village Council

Six candidates are running for three, 4-year seats on the Downers Grove Village Council in the April 6, 2021, election. They are newcomers Chris Gilmartin, Danny Glover, Tammi Karam and Andrew Pelloso, and incumbents Margaret "Marge" Earl and Greg Hosé.

The Daily Herald asked the candidates several questions about issues facing the village.

Below are Pelloso's responses.

In-person early voting with paper ballots began Feb. 25 at DuPage County Fairgrounds Building 5, 2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton. In-person early voting with touch-screen voting begins March 22 at locations throughout the county. Learn more at www.dupageco.org/earlyvoting/.

Bio

Town: Downers Grove

Age: 52

Occupation: Environmental Regulatory Manager, RES, LLC

Civic involvement: Member of EQDG, and avid follower of the village council

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 provide leadership, always. The role of commissioner should be to protect the public, keep citizens informed, listen to ALL constituents, find solutions to issues that are raised, and uphold any directives, edicts, proclamations, or rules put forth by state or federal officials.

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: The village did an adequate job adapting to pandemic restrictions and serving the public. Information on office closures and staffing was made public via Facebook, and critical services such as police and fire continued. I had hoped to see a village webpage devoted to village activities during the pandemic, but the village website is somewhat disjointed and challenging to navigate.

Q: In light of our experiences with COVID-19, what safeguards/guidelines should you put in place to address any future public health crises?

A: First - better communication. There needs to be a village website maintained with up-to-the minute information.

Second, consistent messaging. The village should have an emergency response manager who is designated with coordinating with village staff, carrying out directives, and gathering information to assure the response is adequate.

Third, there should be a plan of action, available on the website, so all residents know what the village will do and what they should do in case of a health emergency.

Q: What cuts can local government make to reduce the burden of the pandemic on taxpayers?

A: Given that the village cut $2 million from the budget, mostly in the area of staffing (filling vacant positions) I'm not sure what more could be cut. Downers Grove has a long history of making budget cuts, but less in the area of finding revenue. The village should reevaluate all forms of revenue generation, with the hope of bolstering existing rainy-day funds.

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 village hall and police station must be rebuilt. Every day that this project is deferred means more cost and more jeopardy we place our current investments in police and village staff. We cannot afford to wait any longer.

A municipal bond should be considered, as well as a deeper dive into user fees, permit fees, and any other revenue source to determine if a rethinking is needed.

Given how the village finances infrastructure such as roads, stormwater/flood control, and sewer/water projects, I would argue that there is little to nothing that can be back-burnered, since the funds for these projects tend to come from dedicated sources.

Q: Do you plan to address businesses that don't adhere to the governor's order to close or restrict business?

A: I personally believe that the lack of local enforcement of governor's orders regarding pandemic closures has pitted businesses against each other. I am unclear whether the village has the authority to enforce governor's orders, which is troubling.

I will seek to clearly articulate the village's authority regarding governor's orders, and advocate for the village to act to the fullest extent of its authority to address businesses that chose not to comply.

Q: Do you agree or disagree with the stance your council has taken on permitting recreational marijuana sales in the community? What would you change about that stance, if you could?

A: I am in complete agreement with the council's reversal on prohibiting recreational marijuana and cannabis-containing products. Sales of these products should have been allowed over a year ago when first brought to council.

The village lost an estimated $500,000 in revenue because of certain council members acting on their own opinions and ignoring the hundreds of comments received in favor of marijuana sales.

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

A: A number of people are talking about having the village be more inclusive, particularly to minorities and the LGTBQ+ community.

As a commissioner, I would advocate for the creation of working group on inclusion, whose purpose would be to evaluate village policy, ordinances, and operations to identify and offer solutions to rectify tangible barriers to equality and equity.