Meet Candidate for Algonquin Village Trustee, Brian Dianis

Name: Brian J. Dianis

Age: 52

Town of residence: Algonquin

Position sought: Algonquin Village Trustee

Party affiliation: Independent

Family: Wife, Laura, and 3 daughters

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?: No

Education: B.S. Finance – Northern Illinois University, Associate in Insurance Services (AIS), Associate in General Insurance (AINS)

Occupation: Program Manager and Delivery Leader (28 years)

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: Village of Algonquin Trustee (2005 to present), former chairman of Connect 300 Community Advisory Council, former co-chair of Village of Streamwood Community Awareness Commission

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it: The state of the state - with the current state of Illinois, including negative population growth in some areas, lack of a budget, increasing burden of debt and decreasing revenues, it presents a lot of uncertainty for municipalities. I will continue to position our village to be able to attract and retain commercial business in our corporate campus, continue moving forward with plans for our downtown revitalization and continue to push for growth of businesses on the East Algonquin corridor. By expanding our commercial base, attracting more visitors to our community and providing diverse shopping and services, we can further reduce our reliance on property taxes and insulate our revenues from measures that the state may take in an effort to stabilize itself.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?: I look at the big picture which involves improving our transportation network, growing our commercial base, re-energizing our downtown, attracting shoppers for our retail centers and providing opportunities for our residents to live, work and play in Algonquin. These things are not mutually exclusive. This is a big difference from the challengers (non-incumbents), who are focused on a single issue, Longmeadow Parkway. Like my fellow incumbents, I have been heavily involved in various community organizations and spent more than a year regularly attending meetings prior to running for the board. The challengers, unfortunately, did not start coming to the meetings (other than to voice opposition to the parkway) until they filed their paperwork to run just a few months ago. This makes me question how much they care about issues involving the entire village.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform: My platform consists of improving transportation, fostering economic growth and building our sense of community while maintaining sound fiscal management practices. Transportation improvements will be accomplished primarily through the building of Longmeadow Parkway and changes to the Randall/Algonquin intersection. Economic growth will be accomplished through proactive preparation and marketing of our corporate campus, partnering with our downtown businesses to create a favorable small business climate, and utilizing our east side marketing study to grow professional and retail opportunities on out east Algonquin corridor. Revitalizing our downtown will be used to build community, giving a focal point for both residents and visitors.

If you gain this position, what accomplishment would define your term in office as a success?

I would consider continued reductions in our property tax rate, the successful completion of Longmeadow Parkway, the start of improvements of the intersection at Randall and Algonquin roads and the Randall road transportation corridor, seeing growth in our corporate campus, and making measured progress on our downtown revitalization plan as defining success for my term in office.

Please share with voters a story about wisdom gained from a mistake you made in your life or career: You can’t do it alone - I have learned that there is great benefit in collaborating with others who can offer experience and diversity of thought which in the end will lead to better results. Life is a learning process and no matter how much we know we can still learn something if we keep an open mind and be engaged.

Why should voters trust you?: Integrity and ethics are a cornerstone of who I am and I feel I have demonstrated that over the 3 terms that I have been in office. I am always willing to listen and consider alternative points of view. I am not one who is going to stand on a soapbox shouting out my point of view, but rather I will work diligently to analyze a situation and consider the impact of decisions with regards to the short and long-term betterment of the Village and its residents and businesses.

Share a quote that defines your philosophy: Will Rogers said “Live in such a way that you would not be ashamed to sell your parrot to the town gossip.” This covers me on two counts. First, I live my life with integrity and character, trying to do what is right whether someone is watching or not. Second, I feel it is important to have a sense of humor and Will Rogers had a way of putting things that usually makes me chuckle.

What questions should be asked of current government employees accountable to your board?:

• is this needed now?
• is there a more efficient or less costly way to do this?
• what is the long-term impact?
• how does this fit with the guiding principles we have established?

Explain your attitudes toward fiscal policy, government spending and how taxpayer dollars should be handled by your office (or board)?: First and foremost is that I am a steward of the people's money and I take that responsibility very seriously. We must constantly look for ways to deliver the best services that we can provide for the most reasonable cost that we can get. We must constantly evaluate if something represents a good value proposition and we must have a long-term focus.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?: I think the success of the village over the 3 terms that I have been on the board are reflective of my ability to serve in this position. Our village has become a role model within our region through conservation efforts, fiscal management and intergovernmental cooperation. We have created an extremely stable financial position with a AAA bond rating and sufficient reserves. Year after year we have received awards for our budget presentation, financial reporting and for performance analytics. We have built a road map to reach long term goals such as growth of our corporate campus, revitalization of our downtown and a focus on improving our east Algonquin corridor. We continue to tackle tough transportation issues that will have long term benefits for our community and region as evidenced by the opening of the western bypass, significant progress on Longmeadow parkway, and continued movement on Randall road transportation improvements.

The best advice ever shared with me was: Former Algonquin police Chief Russ Laine once told me that everyone needs to take the “point,” to be willing to step up to lead and put themselves in a vulnerable position. Those words inspired me to bring National Night Out to Algonquin more than a decade ago with a small neighborhood march that drew just over 100 people. It was rewarding last year to see the resurgence of NNO when our police department, in a collaborative partnership with the Algonquin Area Public Library District and many local business, had an event with over 1000 attending.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?: Thanks for taking an interest in learning a little about me. Find out more at my website, BrianDianis.com or via my Facebook page, @BrianDforAlgonquinTrustee

More via Brian Dianis' campaign website

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