Guido Nardini, Elmhurst Ward 6 Candidate

ELMHURST, IL — Guido Nardini is one of two candidates for the Ward 6 seat on the Elmhurst City Council.

Here are his responses to the Patch questionnaire:

Name:

Guido Nardini

Age:

No answer.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education:

BA University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign, Supporting coursework Harvard University

Occupation:

Small business owner.
clublago.com

Campaign website or social media page:

guidonardini.com

Team Guido on Facebook

Previous or current elected or appointed office:

Elmhurst Eagles Football 11 Silver team announcer.

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

There is no single issue that outweighs all others. To someone at the bottom of the block, it could be a dry basement when it rains. To a new parent it could be great modern schools. To a senior on a fixed income it could be just a smaller tax bill. For the purpose of this questionnaire, let us focus on development. Done wisely, it keeps our city vibrant into the 21st Century, attracts residents, allows convenient services and evenly distributes the tax base. Done poorly, it erects eye sores, congests our roads and changes Elmhurst's identity for the worse. I am committed to refined development. Land use must be in concert with the Comprehensive Plan, Elmhurst’s public and transparent rubric for building. That way neighbors can make sure their elected officials are keeping with their town’s development identity. I want development to make Elmhurst proud.

What type of residential and commercial development would you like to see in Elmhurst?

Elmhurst is a gem and a destination for new residents. I'm committed to spending no public funds on residential development. Paying for utility access to an empty parcel is one thing, but guaranteeing a developer’s requested profit margin for a project is another thing altogether. Our tax dollars belong to the community for services, public safety and infrastructure. After years of facilitating development in our city centre, our vacancy rate is 2%. Our density will reward any developer looking to build here. The council will be an engaged partner in any and all projects, just not with public funds. The market will bear out.

How would you like to see downtown develop? Do you support more condos and apartments?

Development goes in cycles. Together, the 204 unit apartment Fynn, the 20 unit condo One95 Elmhurst, the new 200 unit Haven building and the proposed 196 N York 28 unit condo project represent a substantial shift in Elmhurst’s feel, both in elevation and foot traffic. This density will fill tax coffers, keep our Uptown vibrant and restaurants packed. Not all the approved units are built yet. I want to see how they affect our schools and services before getting behind a subsequent wave of construction.

The city is facing a multimillion shortfall in stormwater debt for stormwater projects that have been completed. How should the city close it?

Currently, the city council is paying down flood debt from the general fund. With the emergencies of Covid over, this needs to be tackled with a plan. Going back in time and outfitting a young Elmhurst with more robust sewer infrastructure isn’t an option. While all options are unattractive, in the face of valueless flooded homes, a revenue source is necessary. A home rule sales tax is regressive and drives business elsewhere. A combination of a stormwater fees and property tax hikes needs to be used.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidate(s) seeking this post?

The other candidate and I for the 6th Ward office have a lot in common. We're neighbors and parents and care about our communities. We both graduated from York Community High School. I am proud so far of the connections I've made door-to-door and face-to-face in South Elmhurst. I am proud so far of being accessible through a Facebook page and a website. I’ve written my cell number down for neighbors I’ve missed while knocking on doors. Anybody who wants to reach out knows where to find me. If I’m lucky enough to win office, I understand this is a service.

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

In my experience in business both in dealing with vendors and customers I have learned to find common ground with everyone. No matter how charged the environment or flawed the argument, arriving to a “yes” is a win, an imperative. In Elmhurst’s past, there were conflicts between city council, park district and school board. I'm committed to making sure intergovernmental relationships always are constructive, always bear fruit.

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

In a world with diminished print resources, the hometown newspaper is no longer a rallying point, a uniter. City Hall has made an effort to communicate with residents through press releases on its website, its weekly E-newsletter and its quarterly printed mailer, The Front Porch. For specific emergency purposes, a less known Elmhurst communiqué is codeRED. A simple service that ties residents’ numbers into an Elmhurst Police Department phone bank, codeRED launches warning calls or messages in the event of a local emergency. Whether I win or lose a seat on the city council, as I go door-to-door meeting my neighbors, if I enroll more people in codeRED, that's a successful term for Elmhurst.

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

If there is an opening in the Chicago Bears linebacking corps, I may need to re-think my Elmhurst residency during the NFL season.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

In all things, “show the patience to listen to the other side, no matter how much you disagree with it.” When speaking thoughtlessly “you are losing a good opportunity to remain quiet” both in my father’s heavily-accented voice.

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

I grew up in this town and I am proud of this town. I’m raising my kids here. I got my degree in Champaign and make my living in Chicago. It’s my watch now and I want to make sure this town is as good or better for my boys as it was for me. Challenge accepted.