John Laratta, Darien Ward 5 Candidate

DARIEN, IL — John Laratta is one of two candidates running for the Ward 5 seat on the Darien City Council in the April 6 election. Here are his responses to the Patch questionnaire:

John L. Laratta

Age (as of Election Day)

76

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

NO

Education

International Business and economics

Occupation

Retired to Florida. But this 5th Ward Aldermanic election needs to be contested. So I am doing so.

Campaign website

Work in progress

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

I am a disabled veteran who has done his best to keep Darien a Nice Place To Live by serving in a volunteer capacity as a member of the Darien Communications Committee, the Planning and Zoning Committee, and more than 12 years as a video recorder for the City of Darien.

The single most pressing issue facing our city is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Keeping the quality of life that we have worked so hard for and improving that standard for ourselves and our family.
When elected I will bring a forceful voice, while working with the other City Council members, to NOT bring red light cameras into Darien. This is to eliminate the picking of Darien resident’s pockets, before it happens.
Also, I would support the Illinois House Rules Committee bill banning red-light cameras statewide.

Do you support Black Lives Matter and what are your thoughts on the demonstrations held since the death of George Floyd and the shooting of Jacob Blake?

(No answer)

Do you think the current board has done enough to support racial equality, and if not, what specifically should be done to do so?

(No answer)

What are your thoughts on the national and local coronavirus response? Do you favor measures such as limiting operation of non-essential businesses and restricting indoor/outdoor dining? And do you favor a local mask mandate?

(No answer)

What are your thoughts on the state and local coronavirus vaccine distribution, and how do you think local governments should work together to handle vaccine rollout?

(No answer)

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

Sometimes the best man for the job is a man

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

My opponent has not failed the 5th Ward. If she were not running against me, I would vote for her.
The priorities I would exemplify in a forceful voice to the City Council, for the 5th Ward will keep and improve the quality of life for residents of the 5th Ward and all of Darien.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

I want to Find and Support those Darien resident's new ideas and concepts for the advancement and quality of life, that we have worked so hard for, just to live here

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

As an Inspector for Société Générale de Surveillance (SGS), Geneva, Switzerland, I was Instrumental in the United Nations money laundering investigations and prosecution of fraudulent international customs shipments from the American Midwest Area, of the United States to contracted SGS clients worldwide.
International Business Consult United States Postal Service. I worked closely with all of the foreign Consulates in Chicago as the US Postal representative for secure exports transportation, logistics and cost factors, from the US to the counties in question.
I strived to work closely with the Consulates, especially the foreign Consulates Commercial Attaché’s; the diplomatic professionals responsible for the working of International Trade and Economics Area sections in the Consulate, for their country.
With more than 50 foreign Consulates as my responsibility, dealing with volatile political situations, logistic screw ups and being able to negotiate transportation deals beneficial to the United States Postal service have shown that, I have what it takes.

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

Keeping red-light cameras out of Darien. No new City taxes, for a year

Why should voters trust you?

I trust the voters to make up their own minds to trust me.

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the use of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking?

My view is when a government body, most any government body, has a comfortable steady revenue cushion; the nucleus of thought is “why try hard to reduce expenditures”.
A Glaring example is :
" Mon, Sep 14, 2020 -Darien officials aim to completely fund the police pension account by 2040, which is beyond the state's requirement. (Shutterstock)"
"DARIEN, IL — Darien taxpayers are set to pay nearly $200,000 more into the police pension account this budget year than they did the previous year. The taxpayers' contribution will amount to almost $2.1 million, up from $1.9 million the year before."
Who is running the City of Darien?
Why does the City of Darien need to be years and years ahead in mandated funding of police benefits?
How much extra money would Darien taxpayers have, if not for this comfortable cushion?

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family?

No

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Duck!!

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I was a combat medic in the 82nd Airborne Div.

I was awarded the Combat Medical Badge and received an honorable discharge.
I served my country, raised a nice family, was never convicted of a crime, worked until retirement and served my community as a volunteer, as best I could.
I will be a forceful voice in presenting your needs and concerns to the City Council for the 5th Ward and the betterment of the City of Darien.

Please vote for me.

Respectively submitted,
John L. Laratta