Stefan Stevic: Candidate profile

Bio

Name: Stefan Stevic

City: Wood Dale

Office sought: 3rd Ward Alderman

Age: 44

Family: Married with three children

Occupation: Facility Maintenance for Forest Preserve District of Dupage County

Education: AAS Biomedical Engineer Technology Degree, Certification in Supervision, Organizational Leadership, and Manufacturing Standard Skills.

Civic involvement: Certified Timer and Judge for local swim team. I have also coached U6, U8, U10 & U12 soccer. We have also supported St. Jude Children's Hospital for many years.

Previous elected offices held: None

Incumbent? If yes, when were you first elected? No

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Issue questions

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

Effective and responsive government - People need transparency in government and be allowed to have a voice as well as a choice on the millions of dollars being spent. Effective communication is necessary. Budgets and Spending - We are a small non-home rule community, and cannot continue to spend as a large city. Small business is the solution and not the problem. We need business friendly policy to retain and attract business with less regulation and fees. Flooding and Drainage Solutions - Real solutions solving flooding problems as quickly and efficiently as possible at reasonable cost. Reducing Water Rates - Water rates are too high. No more increases! The people of Wood Dale should not be penalized for the runaway spending and policies of the City Council.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

Unlike my opponent, I own a home and pay property tax in Wood Dale. I have spent most of my life in Wood Dale and chose to raise my own family here. I truly care about the present and future happenings of the community. Decisions made today, will shape the community for years to come. My ability to listen to concerns and analyze the pros and cons of potential actions make me an ideal representative for residents in Ward 3. I also bring a fresh perspective to city council.

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.

Servant leader. Valuing diverse opinions, cultivating a culture of trust, encouraging, thinking long term, and acting with humility will be effective in producing actions and decisions with the city council.

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?

Horrible, 42 million in debt! Separation of needs and wants is necessary for sustainability. We cannot borrow ourselves into prosperity, only bankruptcy. We need to share resources, equipment and projects with surrounding communities. This would alleviate increased fees and costs to the residence of Wood Dale.

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

Communication and engagement from our residents. E-mail blasts and ward meetings to keep people informed about what is going on. In the process, feedback and concerns can be heard. In speaking with people in my ward, they are shocked at the money being spent and lack of business friendly environment.