James Grzenia: Candidate For DuPage Township Supervisor

WILL COUNTY, IL — The consolidated election, which features several local races, will be held on April 1, with early voting already started on March 17. As a way to help keep voters informed, Patch offers candidate questionnaires for all candidates in local races.

Some of the races in the Bolingbrook and Romeoville area are races for positions in DuPage Township government, including Township Supervisor, Clerk, Assessor, Collector and Trustee.

James Grzenia is one of the candidates running for Township Supervisor. Grzenia recently filled out the Patch candidate questionnaire, and his answers can be found below:

Your name:

James Grzenia

Campaign Website/Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/profi...

Office sought:

Township Supervisor

Town/City of Residence:

Bolingbrook

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? This includes any relatives who work in the government you're running for.

No

Occupation. Please include years of experience.

Project Manager, 20 Years experience, Project Management Professional certified for over 18 Years

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office:

None

The most pressing issues facing our (board, district, etc.) are _______, and this is what I intend to do about them.

In my opinion the most pressing issue facing the Township is the lack of communication between the current administration and the community on the needs being seen by the residents. It seems as though they are more interested in politics than in service and their communications with only targeted groups and dismissal of suggestions from others with no discussion only reinforce that perception.

Opening engagement with existing community organizations as well as incorporating resident review and impact boards will allow the independent slate to incorporate the needs of the community to the actions of the board. By inviting different groups and people into the review and decision making process, in a public and transparent manner will only increase the impacts of the Township.

If you are a challenger, what would you bring to the board or plan to change?

As a challenger I want to be abundantly clear, that I have no desire or plans to take away any existing programs. Rather, I'd like to see an expansion of these and other services be a higher priority for how tax dollars are spent versus the current budget prioritizing administrative costs over services.
Throughout my involvement with multiple community organizations throughout 30+ years in the community, I have been able to work with amazing people with great ideas to improve the lives of everyone. Utilizing the insight from those previous interactions, as well continual engagement and conversations with all of the residents and organizations within the community can only assist in having a positive impact.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

Our Platform is Service above Politics. For too long politics have only served to divide communities, and as an independent slate we come from diverse backgrounds as well as viewpoints on the impacts we can bring to the community. This allows us to reach to the full range of residents and their concerns, where the current administration is restricted due to their affiliation.

A Few of our initial goals are:
We promise transparency by listing all documents (including payables and documentation) for public review during the review process and before board action. Posting FOIA requests and results for public review.

We promise responsible utilization of funds entrusted to us by the tax payers by increasing competitive bid participation in any expenditures. Public announcements of any planned expenditures before action for public comment / review.

We promise engagement by utilizing resident review boards as the initial review process for any projects. Open door policy as well as regular open meetings for the residents to bring their ideas for discussion, so we can focus resources on programs that the community needs and wants.

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

Rebuilt the DuPage Township Food Pantry with Approval of then Highway Commissioner Clarence Shrock expanding from an 8'x16' space to 16' x 30' in the early 2000s, and then again to 50' x 60' when the Road District was dissolved.

Supported my daughter to found a non-profit organization 4 K.I.D.S Sake at the age of 17

30 years of involvement throughout the community with multiple organizations such as the Heart Organization, Bolingbrook Trojans, Scouting, FOCOUS, Peppertree Homeowners Association, Heart Haven Outreach, We Care Food Pantry, Angelic Kindness & St. Dominic's PTA, to name a few. As well as being selected as the 2010 Bolingbrook Family of the Year is evidence of my engagement with the community.

20 years professional experience managing projects in Telecommunications, Emergency Response and Public Utilities, where public reviews of financial oversight as well as project milestones were mandatory, is evidence of my understanding of fiscal controls and transparency.

Why should voters trust you?

As a Marine Corp veteran, trust is the core value you must have with your unit. I joined the Marines at 18 and served in theatre for Desert Shield/Desert Storm. I've continued the lesson I learned here throughout my adult life by always having the backs of our brothers and sisters. Listening, supporting and following through on your commitments are essential to building, earning and maintaining trust. I've continued to utilize my "free" time supporting the community for over 30 years to continue to put my best foot forward and follow through on all the values that are of importance.

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

A few goals that I would consider a success would be the increase of actual services to the community at large, providing full transparency on the fiscal actions taken by the Township, increase of the engagement with community members and organizations, and reduction of the tax burden on the public.

All of these items are attainable with direct effort of the Township, engagement with Community Organizations and utilizing existing resources.

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

The taxpayers entrust their hard earned for dollars, and they expect all governmental agency to utilize that money judiciously to positively impact the community. The management of spending of any public monies must be done as you would want your personal money spent, because that's what it is.

Proper budgeting, review of expenditures and regular public reviews of the financial status and forecasts are necessary so that the community understands where and why tax money are spent, even if it is one of the smallest tax collections on your bill.

What are your thoughts on the crime rate in your community, and what more can be done to combat crime — especially violent crime — in town?

While the Township does not have a direct roll in public safety, the township can still make an impact. By assisting the existing entities that specialize with social support, adding mental health programs and resources as well as engagement with these entities as well as other agencies in the community to enhance the safety and security of the public.

What is your view of the city's/village's approach to commercial and residential development?

Again the Township does not have a direct roll in commercial or residential development. The primary roll we would have would be as a possible assistance to the community to engage the Village / County staff and boards with concerns.

The Assessors office is responsible for the valuation of these developments after they are complete.

When it comes to development, what are some key areas for improvement or additions you feel are most wanted by residents? What will need to be done to make this happen?

One of the most consistent things I've heard is that many people in the community aren't aware what the Township is or what it does. With wider accessibility to current programs and services, with more direct and clear communications to all of the residents of these services, we can bridge that gap.

The resources are available to utilize buses for transportation issue for the Food Pantry as well as adding digital ordering and kiosks for residents.

Reinvesting in our youth programs beyond the current 2 programs.

Adding support to mental health resources for the residents who may need that support.

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

No

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

While I'm often known throughout the Community as "Shirley's Husband" or "Theresa's Dad". I would be honored to be elected to be YOUR Township Supervisor.

I have seen first hand remarkable impacts and accomplishments within our community, and unfortunately also have seen the opposite.

Given the opportunity, I believe our team who have been active as a school teacher, a veteran, a business owner, a coach, a pastor, a food pantry coordinator, a nurse, a records clerk and an experienced assessor are the team that will best represent all of our residents.

(If you are a candidate in the upcoming April 1 election, please email andrea.earnest@patch.com for a candidate questionnaire to share your positions with readers)

Bolingbrook Election Guide: What’s On The Ballot, What To Know

Here's a look at candidates for DuPage Township:

Supervisor

• Gary Marschke (incumbent). Marschke died earlier this month.
• James Grzenia

Clerk

• Barbara Ann Parker (incumbent)
• Diane Kloepfer

Assessor

• Kenneth Harris (incumbent)
• Jean Kelly

Collector (vote for one)

• James Bastounes
• Sally "Clemens" Guilbo

Trustee (vote for four)

• Thomas Braxton (incumbent)
• Terri Ransom (incumbent)
• Monty Jackson
• Daryl Parks
• Manny Brambila
• Linda Ellis
• Traci Cosgrove Falese
• Cecilia "Cecy" Loeza