2017 Election Questionnaire: Michael Bruno, Geneva Alderman 1st Ward

Candidate's Name: Michael (Mike) Bruno

Age: 57

Town of Residence: Geneva (37 years with family roots to 1903)

Position Sought: Alderman 1st Ward Geneva, Illinois

Party Affiliation: None

Family:

• Wife: Debbie married 29 years
• Son: Adam age 25

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education:

Bachelor of Computer Science UIUC

Occupation:

Information Technology Consultant (self-employed since 2000)

A progression of Engineering and Information Technology positions since 1979

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office:

Alderman 1st Ward Geneva, IL (current)

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

SMART GROWTH

Smart growth involves several ongoing efforts:

1. Continue our methodical efforts to bring online our new industrial park at the City’s southeast corner to broaden our tax base and reduce the resident tax burden
2. Try to meet our significant housing/demographic shifts to bring necessary housing stock to our very limited in-town infill parcels. It is critical that we do this through creatively getting community/neighborhood buy-in and protecting the character that defines Geneva.
3. Thoroughly consider development opportunities and quality in the new, riverfront TIF district. New development must integrate with and expand on our existing downtown success.

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

I have know Mr. Oleson for some years and consider him a friend. He has not held elected office and I cannot know what his policy positions might be. I am aware of several statement that he has made where we differ.

Challenger: He has said that he hates taxes and government. I would like to assume that, in the context said, it was lacking some nuance.

Me: I would differ by saying that I dislike inefficient, unresponsive government and that I dislike taxes that don’t deliver long-term value.

Challenger: He has stated that he would seek to repeal the recently instituted Places For Eating Tax (PET).

Me: Given what we know of our limited options are, I would favor keeping the PET in place until we found a better option. Those options would likely rely on some rulings from the State. I have a substantial essay on the PET at my website https://www.mikebrunogeneva.com/platform. Given that Mr. Oleson owns a an affected restaurant, I expect that he will be obliged to recuse himself from those discussions.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

I will continue to work to maintain Geneva’s status as one of the most successful and desirable communities in Illinois.

I will continue to help deliver high-value services with limited resources.

I will continue to think long-term and deliver long-term value to residents.

I will continue to protect and enhance Geneva’s character and property values.

I will continue to work to understand all of the evidence available and the complexity of all issues before me and act in the long-term best interest of the community.

I will continue to seek counsel from experts in the necessary fields.

I will work to restore an attractive work environment to maintain a cost-effective workforce.

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

Individual success at the City Council cannot easily be separated from the whole of the City Council. I will feel successful if I continue to articulate the values and visions of the greater community and help influence staff and the Council to enhance what is good and improve what we can. I will feel successful if I can respond to and inform my constituents of the 1st Ward and the greater community of the totality and complexity of the issues facing the City.

Please share with voters a story about wisdom gained from a mistake you made in your life or career.

In my career, I once stayed in a position too long in an environment that didn’t allow me to be as effective as I (and those relying on me) would have liked. I learned that, if I can’t be the best that I can in a position, that I should seek change. If I thought that my constituents could be better represented by someone else, I would readily step aside.

Why should voters trust you?

Those that have followed my time on the Council will recognize that I act in accordance with my oft-stated values. Whether a resident agrees with me or not on any particular issue; I will not cast a political or “safe” vote. I will always vote my conscience and in the long-term best interest of the community. I have no other goal with the City than to leave something to our children and grandchildren that they can be proud of.

Share a quote that defines your philosophy:

“Ignorance is preferable to error. And he is less remote from the truth that knows nothing, than he who believes what is wrong.” - Thomas Jefferson

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

• What motivates you to invest yourself in doing the best job you can? What things most undermine that motivation?

Explain your attitudes toward fiscal policy, government spending and how taxpayer dollars should be handled by your office (or board)?

I consider myself a fiscal pragmatist. The focus in municipal spending (and spending generally) should not be solely on cost, but on value. It is trivially easy to spend money. It is just as easy to NOT spend money. The difficult work and the heavy lifting for the Council is to deliver high-quality services and infrastructure that the public expects at a better price than other, comparable communities.

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

The review of the historic preservation ordinance comes to mind. Over a contentious year, I brought my extensive experience to help persuade some on the Council to adopt an excellent ordinance. I did this while on the receiving end of some amount of derision. I always argued for what aligned with the evidence and my conscience in the face of political pressure to do otherwise. We now have an ordinance that maintains the character that defines our brand, simplifies and clarifies the process, and adds additional protections for residents.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

Be fair, be consistent, plan for the future, and be open to changing your mind.

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

I have been clear and transparent in my values as they relate to Geneva and Geneva’s future. I value Geneva’s appeal, its character, its potential, and its people. I recognize that all that people love about Geneva did not fall out of the sky in some stroke of luck. It took generations of engaged citizens and City governance that recognized our geographic assets, our historic assets, our transit assets, and our human assets and developed them into a community that is envied by all that know us. I have been honored and humbled to serve the community for the past years on the Council and committees. If re-elected, I will continue to keep my eyes on the horizon and help assure that future generations enjoy a vibrant, historic and attractive community.

More information available via www.mikebrunogeneva.com

Photo via Michael Bruno