Election 2013: Tony Arredia for Des Plaines Mayor
Anthony “Tony” Arredia is running against Third Ward Alderman Matt Bogusz and Sixth Ward Alderman Mark Walsten for mayor of Des Plaines.
The following information was provided by Tony Arredia. Patch provides a platform for candidates to share their messages, and does not give endorsements. To share your message with readers for free, add it to the Local Voices section on Des Plaines Patch.
Name:
Anthony (Tony) Arredia
Position sought:
Mayor of Des Plaines
Campaign contact information. Please include any or all of the following: website, email address, phone number, Facebook page, Twitter account, mailing address, etc.
Website: www.tony4mayor.com
Age:
A very young 75.
Family Include as much info as you like (names, ages, number of children, etc.):
Wife = Ida Jean --- Sons Joseph – Charles – James (4 grandchildren).
Education Include degree(s) and school(s):
Completed University of Chicago's Advanced Management Courses.
Occupation:
Retired --- currently the Director of Government Relations – Maryville Academy.
Political Party:
Independent
Official name of your campaign committee (if you have one):
n/a
Previous Elected or Appointed Offices:
Des Plaines Alderman (6yrs) --- Appointed Mayor (2yrs) --- Elected Mayor (8yrs) --- Chairman NWMC flood committee - Chairman NWMC legislative committee – Vice President of the NWMC GOG - President of the NWMC GOG.
Is there any additional experience you believe qualifies you for the position?
Vice President (Operations) – Continental Bank of Chicago – Director Asbury Court Retirement Community -- Director of Government Relations – Maryville Academy.
What would your priorities be if elected to this office?
Maintain the current business community while bringing in businesses to fill vacant property and store fronts.
Continue the storm water (flooding) plan that I started with the construction of the $15.000.000.00 Levee #50 project (all but $400.000.00 was funded by state/federal grants).
Initiate phase #2 of the Des Plaines Storm Water Project.
Initiate phase #2 of Casino Build out (restaurants – shops – etc) --- while studying the possibility of returning a portion of casino revenue to the residents in the way of reduced service fees and/or taxes.
What are the most important issues facing Des Plaines and what would you do as mayor to address them?
Aside from maintaining a strong revenue base (general fund and reserve accounts) and Re-stocking the business community by filling open store fronts … I will reduce flooding (always been a resident concern) – during my tenure I completed (as promised prior to my election) the Levee #50 storm water project that had been delayed by the Army Corp – Illinois Department of Natural Resources and FEMA for a period of 25 years. This $15.000.000.00 project was funded via state and federal grants (DP payed $400.000.00) …. It is important that Big Bend Lake and west of the river residents get flood relief. I will continue what was a successful plan to reduce flooding in Des Plaines.
How do you believe gaming tax revenue collected by Des Plaines should be spent? What should it be spent on?
I believe that we should continue the casino revenue plan that was initiated when I was in office …. tax revenue should be directed toward infrastructure – reducing the city's debt and addressing areas identified as prone to flooding.
There was also a plan to reduce resident service fees as well as addressing property taxes at some future date …. I still believe that this plan will service the best interest of the city.
There have been a number of proposals to expand gaming in Illinois. If elected, what would you do to protect Des Plaines’ interests with respect to gaming?
The best lobbyists are the mayor and the local state and federal legislators --- I will work just as hard to maintain what was promised to be the 10th and final license as I did when I got the 10th casino license.
The city has $58.3 million in debt in the capital improvements fund, the tax increment financing funds and the water and sewer fund. Approximately $4.4 million in the capital improvements fund will become callable in 2013. If elected, would you support refinancing this debt or paying it off immediately, and why?
Paying off the debt is always a strong consideration --- however I would need to become familiar with what would be the best avenue for the city.
Downtown Des Plaines has a low occupancy rate in the retail spaces in the Metropolitan Square development. If you are elected mayor, what would you do to address this?
When I left office Metro Square was 80% full --- I also brought over 80 business --- three successful strip malls while addressing the developer's request for more foot traffic via 11 condo developments …. and four of the largest air courier companies to Des Plaines.
My administration was able to accomplish this because of commitment and hard work. We will need to re-establish contacts and reputation with developers and business corporations while making our presence known in the small business community. We must make ourselves visible at business conventions while working closely with the current business community in an effort to keep them within our boundaries.
I had success during a similar economic slow down period being experienced today and I will accomplish it again.
The Des Plaines Police Department is involved with a number of lawsuits, including, most recently, accusations that a former commander falsified records. If elected mayor, what would you do to address the litigation? What would you do to gain the public’s trust in the Des Plaines Police Department?
Again, I am not familiar with every facet of the problem – what I do know is that the only way to properly address any problem is to face it head on – if elected I will direct attention to resolving this issue asap.
Why would you do a better job representing Des Plaines than your opponent?
I have at least twice the business experience of any of my opponents -- served as alderman (6 yrs) --- appointed mayor (2 yrs) -- elected mayor (8 yrs) – chairman of the Northwest Municipal Conference's flooding committee (6 yrs) --- chairman of the NWMC legislative committee (3yrs) --- VP/Pres of the NWMC (2yrs). As an alderman and mayor I was known to be available – assessable and approachable to the residents …. local businesses and the Des Plaines Chamber to mention a few. During my previous term I was also known for my work ethics and work schedule (40 to 60 hours per week). Both of my opponents have full time jobs.
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RIck K
8:22 am on Monday, March 18, 2013
Arredia: proven success, full time commitment, has the city's best interests at heart. Bogusz: Moylan Jr., part time mayor, will use this job as a means for higher office in Springfield, maybe as soon as 4 years from now if available, no mayoral experience. Like Moylan is interested in making sure the unions profit off casino monies, instead of benefiting Des Plaines residents. Use these concepts in deciding the best candidate for this part time mayoral job.
buddy
9:58 am on Monday, March 18, 2013
you already had 2 terms Tony.Time for changes and a new direction.stay home and play checkers with your grandkids.
Glen
11:52 am on Monday, March 18, 2013
I agree with Rick, I believe Tony has OUR best intrest's at heart and I know he will do the best job, amd buddy you comment was just rude you must be a friend of moylans
John
4:36 pm on Monday, March 18, 2013
I believe that Tony has personal financial interests in both the Casino and Metro Square. Isn't that a conflict to his position?
Glen
10:04 pm on Monday, March 18, 2013
That would have to be disclosed and the Illinois Gaming Board would not allow that and as far as Metro Square the company that own's that is in Austin Texas and last time I checked Tony lives in Des Plaines
RIck K
10:55 am on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
I had not heard that but it is interesting (and worth noting), although I can't imagine what that would be, since the casino is owned and operated by billionaire Neil Bluhm and his managing group. As far as Metropolitan Square, again, I am not sure, but Tony is semi-retired and by no means a largely wealthy man so I can't see what stake he would have in it.
Edie Behnke
9:32 am on Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Well if it isn't Glen again..or is it Tom or Abe. A person with many names. Arredia has devided a city. He is remembered by many. This is true. He has not set a good example of unity and has turned a generation against each other. A small band of followers luring the elderly and promoting his age and experience against our younger generation is to me an insult to our young educated families in Des Plaines. Calling Alderman Bogusz a kid? Just what was Arredia doing at his age? While the older generation brags about how we where well into adulthood at that age he fails to see how much ahead they are in this time. They are way ahead of us and ready to lead. During these hard times we need the education they have and the determination they have. This is the dirtiest campaign I have ever seen in Des Plaines. As a Conservative and also a Tea Party supporter I object to his campaign as being a disgrace. This is not Conservative values as this is one senior he can't fool or lure into a web of insults and lies only to gain control. He left Des Plaines in a mess and his failures as a leader are well known by many residents. Posting comments useing other names just to make him look favorable will not work..Glen or Abe or Rick...the man behind many faces.
RIck K
1:46 pm on Wednesday, April 3, 2013
I understand how you feel, and I don't deny Bogusz is a good alderman, and he is one that should be respected. I choose to ignore the fact that his campaign has involved using the Democratic party machine to do his bidding, as if he would need that anyway. But a good alderman does not necessarily make a good mayor. Are you OK with electing an official who will jump at the next elected office that is offered to him? He has already done that, and he will again the next time one comes up. To me, experience should mean something. Especially when that experience is needed to land casinos or defend the houses against flooding or keep property taxes in check. Plus, I want a full time part time mayor. The words that Matt has used in his campaign make him fully qualified to run as alderman, not mayor. Regards, Rick, Abe, Glen and Tom.
Edie Behnke
10:07 am on Thursday, April 4, 2013
Great endorsement from the Journal as that can sit side by side with the Journal's endorsemnt of Marty Moylan. This is a good thing. This is unity. Well deserved. Good luck in this election and may God Bless America! Edie
Edie Behnke
4:01 pm on Thursday, April 4, 2013
Flooding...ask the people along the river who have had their flood insurence dropped due to Arredia's project of flood control. They are not happy about it at all. They flood even more.
Edie Behnke
4:41 pm on Friday, April 5, 2013
The next Arlington Heights Mayor will not be a full time Mayor. This was just reported by the Daily Herald. Mr. Arredia's number one defense is that Alderman Bogusz can't be a full time Mayor. Proper leadership and communication skills unknown to the elderly leaves Mr. Arredia at a disadvantage. In this business world many executives works from thier homes. You stated Mr. Arredia that "nobody can keep up with you" is silly. I being a senior myself find that amusing! Nice try!