Election 2013: Joseph Kozenczak for Seventh Ward Alderman

The following information was provided by Joseph Kozenczak. 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: Joseph  Kozenczak

Position sought: Seventh Ward Alderman 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.

Phone: (847) 544-8670

On file as a write-in candidate with the Cook County Clerk's Office/Board of Elections.

Family Include as much info as you like (names, ages, number of children, etc.):

Wife, Karen and daughter, Natalie.

Education Include degree(s) and school(s):

Master of Public Administration (MPA), Roosevelt University

Bachelor of Arts Degree, De Paul University, Chicago, IL

Associate of Science Degree, Police Science and Administration, Triton College,

Graduate of the FBI Academy, Administration and Management, Quantico, VA

Political Party: Independent

Official name of your campaign committee (if you have one):

Citizens for Kozenczak

Is there any additional experience you believe qualifies you for the position?

I am the logical choice for quality leadership as the Seventh Ward Alderman. I have 30 years of municipal/state government experience. My management experience and leadership were acknowledged by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) when they awarded me the National Commendation for Professional Expertise in the investigation and arrest of the serial killer John Wayne Gacy.

I have also served Honorably in the Sixth and Eighth United States Army Military Police Corps.

What would your priorities be if elected to this office?

• Maintaining and enhancing services without imposing financial burdens.
• Assuring the health, safety and security of our families by working closely with our public safety departments.
• Insuring that casino revenues will be spent in the best interest of taxpayers.
• Evaluating and working with the City Administration to improve the infrastructure issues in our ward including street resurfacing projects, curbs and gutters, flood control, enhanced tree replacement and other projects deemed a priority by the residents.
• Making sure that our seniors and our young people's needs are accommodated.
• Interacting with other political bodies such as school districts, park districts, townships, county and state government to enhance communications and services.
• Maintaining a business retention philosophy, as well as furthering economic development, by encouraging new business growth in our ward and the community.
• Focusing on our wards aesthetic appearance.

What are the most important issues facing Des Plaines and what would you do as Alderman to address them?

Economic development throughout the northwest suburbs is a concern. The city needs to focus on business retention and attraction with careful attention given to existing zoning and development. We must formulate a vision for our community that will be a model for future generations and give us direction as to the developers we seek. The aldermen would need to respond as a team willing to work with city departments and other local entities.

Other concerns are restructuring an aging infrastructure.  I would work closely with the city's Public Works and Engineering Department, as well as the Public Works and Engineering committees.  Many of these issues involve networking with county and state agencies.

A fiscally sound budget is key with the health, safety and welfare of our residents being a priority. Efficient spending is a must, but service and responsiveness to the community remains paramount. These are details that would be addressed at budget hearings during which time I would seek input from residents.

What is one of the most important issues facing residents in your ward, and what would you do, if elected, to address it? 

The Seventh Ward's infrastructure is a concern. I would work closely with city staff to gain insight, evaluate, and prioritize projects such as street reconstruction and resurfacing. Areas, such as those along the railroad tracks and Cumberland Station would involve city staff working with railroad authorities and IDOT.

How do you believe gaming tax revenue collected by Des Plaines should be spent? What should it be spent on?

I feel that gaming tax revenue should be used for infrastructure projects. In addition, the revenue should be used to assist in paying down debt. 

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?

This discussion could take place during the renegotiation of the casino agreement. One could only hope that we could negotiate an agreement whereby the city's obligations to the State and benefiting communities might be lessened. No one alderman could determine this alone. 

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?

This would need to be scrutinized closely and would involve working with the city's Finance Department to understand and carefully evaluate the city's overall financial situation.  The benefits of reducing long-term interest by paying off debt would need to be weighed against the benefits of having more money readily available.  The city's overall bond rating should be considered, the impact on city services if monies are not readily available and the maintenance of healthy city's reserve funds are factors.         

Downtown Des Plaines has a low occupancy rate in the retail spaces in the Metropolitan Square development. If you are elected Alderman, what would you do to address this? 

I would work as a team member with the city council and administration.  Careful attention needs to be given to marketing efforts and networking with existing landlords and business entities, including the Economic Development Commission and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry.  Again, a vision for our downtown is paramount. We need to formulate what "downtown Des Plaines" is all about and then promote it.

The Des Plaines Police Department is involved with a number of lawsuits, including, most recently, accusations that a former commander falsified records. If elected alderman, what would you do to address the litigation? What would you do to gain the public’s trust in the Des Plaines Police Department?

The authority of the Des Plaines Police Department to fulfill their functions is dependent upon securing and maintaining the respect and approval of the citizens of Des Plaines, IL. The police department must obtain the citizen's willingness to cooperate in the task of ensuring the community's safety.  The extent to which the community's respect and trust can be secured is diminished when a member of the department acts in an unprofessional, improper, dishonest, or unlawful manner. As a former law-enforcement administrator I will make every effort to insure our residents that the City Council along with the Chief of Police will make every effort to earn the respect and trust of our community and to instill into all members of the Police Department that they are to serve the community honestly efficiently and effectively.

Why would you do a better job representing Des Plaines than your opponent?

Based on my professional back ground , education and 30 years of municipal/state government experience, I am the logical choice for quality leadership as the Seventh Ward Alderman. My management experience and leadership were acknowledged by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) when they awarded me the National Commendation for Professional Expertise in the complex investigation and arrest of the serial killer John Wayne Gacy. As a former administrator I understand the dynamics of the city government process. I basically would not need any training. I am ready to start serving the needs of the community on the day I am elected.

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