Meet Oak Lawn Third District Trustee Candidate Paul Mallo

OAK LAWN, IL -- Paul Mallo is challenging incumbent Bob Streit for the Third District trustee seat on the Oak Lawn Village Board. Mallo is a 26-year resident of Oak Lawn and vice president of a small business in Chicago. This is the village board’s only contested race in the April 2 Consolidated Election.

Name: Paul Mallo
Age: 48
Education: Bachelor of Science from Elmhurst College
Occupation: Vice-president of a small business in Chicago
Activities/Involvement: Oak Lawn Special Recreation Department, Oak Lawn Baseball, Oak Lawn Sharks Training Camp
Family background: My wife Pam and I have three boys, Eric (23), Jason (20), and Shawn (11). My parents were from Chicago but live in Evergreen Park. I have 3 brothers, 2 who live in Oak Lawn, and the other who works here (for the Park District).
How long you have lived in Oak Lawn? For the last 26 years; we purchased our first and only home on Elm Circle Drive shortly after we got married.

1. Why are you running for village trustee? What skills and experience do you bring to the office?

I am running for Trustee because I think our district needs a new voice and a new vision. Fighting between trustees does not benefit the residents, and none of the voices are heard. Look at the lack of development on Southwest Highway with all the vacant and boarded-up buildings, or the Anthem Care and Advocate Developments at the old Beatty Lumber site. Both are quality developments, but many residents felt their views and opinions were not represented in those plans and debates.

In addition to 30 years of business management experience, I’ve been involved in Oak Lawn Baseball for the last 18 years, an experience that introduced me to hundreds of 3rd District families who I now know personally and understand many of their problems and concerns. I will approach all issues honestly, ethically, and reasonably, and look at all options and proposed solutions constructively and with an open mind. I will then make decisions that best serve the 3rd District and Oak Lawn.

2. Do you think Oak Lawn’s 95th Street corridor is healthy and successful? What would you do to improve the corridor’s economic viability?

In general, I think Oak Lawn’s economic base is healthy, but the retail landscape is changing dramatically, and we need to change with it to remain healthy and successful. Obviously 95th Street and Cicero Avenue are our busiest commercial corridors, but we need to promote the other less developed streets like Southwest Highway, 87th Street, Pulaski and 111th St.

I believe Oak Lawn is a great place to live for people who own or work for businesses located in Chicago, which is why my wife and I decided to live here. As the problems in the city intensify, businesses might look at alternate locations. And for those that don’t bolt for Indiana, I think we can make Oak Lawn an attractive option.

3. Some residents complain about traffic conditions in Oak Lawn. What would you do to mitigate congestion?

We are a mobile society. We drive everywhere – schools, work, stores, and restaurants. And traffic flow and access are necessary for businesses to be successful, which reduces the property taxes we pay. But residents need to know that their quality of life and their safety are primary concerns of their elected officials, especially in the 3rd District, which has three of the busiest thoroughfares (95th, Cicero, and Southwest Highway) cutting through or bordering it.

While I am concerned about congestion and have already spoken to the Mayor and Village Manager about the traffic plans near the train station and new Advocate Development at the old Beatty Lumber site, I’m more concerned about the safety of the residents affected by commuters cutting through our neighborhoods to avoid those busy streets.

4. Are you satisfied with the current economic development in Oak Lawn, for example, Stony Creek Promenade, Southwest Highway and 95th Street? What would you do to attract new businesses and develop these areas?

While I do like the development at 111th & Cicero, and the initial plans for 95th & Pulaski, as I said above, we need to focus on the Village’s other major arteries. With a good marketing plan promoting Oak Lawn to the growing technology community we could become an attractive location option for start-ups, given our location and proximity to Chicago.

5. If you could change one thing in the village’s zoning code what would that be?

I am aware that zoning regulations in our village impact the taxes imposed on the residents and business owners. We need to find balance between relieving the strain on our residents and attracting new businesses to our community. This is going to require 100% commitment by and collaboration between the entire board.

6. If elected, what three steps would you take to put the village on firmer financial footing?

My primary focus is commercial development, and looking at what Oak Lawn residents want. We need to ask, where do our residents go outside of Oak Lawn for shopping, dining, entertainment, etc., and do our best to bring those same amenities and businesses to Oak Lawn.

Secondly, I want to look at other units of local government – schools, park district, library, township – and find ways to work together to eliminate duplication and waste. Third, we need to constantly look at ways to automate and provide services inexpensively but without compromising quality.

7. How do you plan to involve residents more in the decision-making process in the village?

Technology today is incredible, and there really is no reason you can’t communicate with and solicit feedback from the residents. Over the last several months I’ve met with or talked to hundreds of people in the 3rd District, and a huge concern is their lack of engagement with or connection to their Village. A regular email newsletter for every 3rd District resident who wants it is where we will start, but I still enjoy talking face to face at the ball field or in a booth over coffee.

8. If the village were to receive a $1 million grant to use any way it wanted, what would you do with it and why? Assuming our basic infrastructure needs are met, I’d split it 3 ways:

1) Small Business Economic Incentives

2) Crime Prevention (focused on areas/times of highest incidence of crime)

3) Beautification (working with Township, Schools & Park District)

9. Where are your favorite places to spend time in Oak Lawn?

The obvious first choice is Kolb Field, or any field where Oak Lawn Baseball and Softball teams play. We also like to go to Andy's to relax and enjoy a treat on a warm summer night, as well as riding our bikes around to our local parks. The places we enjoy most are wherever our kids’ activities take us.