John Raniere: Top Priority is Finding a New City Manager, Bringing Positive Leadership to 1st Ward

• 1st Ward candidate: John Raniere
• E-mail: j.raniere@comcast.net
• Family: wife, Kimberly; sons, , Jack, 10, and Hank, 7
• Education: Montini Catholic High School, Lombard, and bachelor of arts in criminal justice from Saint Mary’s University, Winona, Minn.
• Occupation: Director of sales,   Aerostar Global Logisitcs, Lombard

What is the primary reason you are running for office?

I would like to bring positive leadership back to the 1st Ward.

What will be your priority if elected?

The first priority will involve hiring the new city manager.  We are losing a great asset in Tom Borchert and finding a replacement near his caliber will be the first major task undertaken by the council.  Other top issues involve area flooding and business development.

What sets you apart form other candidates?

I believe my ability to work with my fellow council members and city staff will be an asset.  The council is a team that needs to work towards the common goal of doing what is in the best interest of the city residents.  I look forward to sharing ideas and bringing an open mind to discussions and respecting others' viewpoints.  Debate and idea sharing are  healthy, essential parts of the process, but it cannot deteriorate into personal agendas and unproductive posturing.  I look forward to fostering a positive relationship with all council members.

How long have you lived in Elmhurst?

14 years., 11 in the 1st Ward

What is your favorite thing about Elmhurst?

I enjoy the unique balance of a small-town atmosphere and large city offerings.  It is a great place to live, work and raise a family.

What is the biggest problem in Elmhurst?

Keeping the quality of life at a high level.  This would include infrastructure (flooding problems) and city services.  We need to maintain or improve infrastructure to avoid costly replacement and outright failures.  City services need to stay at  the levels Elmhurst residents have come to expect.

Are there any challenges or problems in your ward? If so, what needs to be done?

The 1st Ward is a diverse area that includes residential, large and small business, Elmhurst College and York High School.  There is a need to provide a communication outlet for all of these entities.  Flooding issues need to be identified and solved.  There also is a need to attract new business to fill vacancies, which will assist with increasing tax revenues. 

With the retirement of Tom Borchert, what do you think are the most important attributes for a new city manager?

Tom Borchert has been a great advocate for Elmhurst.  Replacing him will be one of the biggest decisions the council will face this year.  The next city manager must have a background with a city the size of Elmhurst, should possess great interpersonal skills and be able to communicate their vision to city staff. 

Is the city spending taxpayer money in the most effective way? What, if anything, would you change with regard to budgeting and spending? 

I believe, overall, the city is spending money appropriately.  However, there are many challenges facing Elmhurst.  Declining tax revenue, stormwater project funding and infrastructure improvements all will be issues that will continue into 2011.  The city needs to responsibly spend on those basic services that create the foundation for a high quality of living (city services, schools, infrastructure).

We’ve heard residents of all ages, but especially seniors, say that it’s getting too expensive to live in Elmhurst. What can be done to make Elmhurst more affordable for all residents? Do you think the city will need to raise taxes again in the near future?  

I believe we need to bring more value to what residents are getting for their money.  As I have previously mentioned, maintaining  services at a high level, responsible spending and promoting business growth will help bring additional value for all residents. 

Do you agree with other aldermen who are proposing several new TIF districts in town? Why or why not?   

Incentives create a healthy environment for business growth. It provides city leaders another option for retaining and attracting business to the city.  Additional business creates increased tax revenue which in turn helps protect homeowners from shouldering that burden.  However, this growth needs to be responsible and measured. The quality and type of businesses brought in must fit the requirements and character that Elmhurst demands.

What is working and not working in terms of economic development in Elmhurst? What, specifically, would you do to encourage businesses to come here?

I believe we need all members of the council actively working to retain and recruit business to Elmhurst.  I would research and target specific businesses that fit the character of the city and actively pursue those targets.  We want businesses that will stay for many years, not come and go when leases expire.

Spring rains are right around the corner, and a flooding mitigation plan could take years to implement. In the short term, do you think the city is doing everything it can to assists residents who experienced the bulk of the flooding problems last year? Will you be nervous when the rains start?

I believe the city is doing all it can to identify and prevent the flooding that occurred last year.  There is a potentially large investment with the engineering plan, but it has to be done to keep the city from experiencing those issues again.

Nearly a dozen water mains broke within a one-week period this winter and, separately, failing infrastructure is listed as one of the reasons for flooding in Elmhurst. What needs to be done with infrastructure and how is the city going to pay for it?

Investments in infrastructure must be top on the list of budgetary priorities. Infrastructure spending generally comes from the operating fund, but there needs to be a prioritized list of what projects are in most need.  A schedule should be made  for improvements and replacement.

Do you think city officials and aldermen have a good relationship with citizens of Elmhurst with regard to trust and transparency? 

Additional communication options will assist in providing more access to alderman and foster more open relationships and discussions with residents. I plan to use e-mail updates, text messages and regularly scheduled local  meetings where residents can participate in open discussions.