Election 2025: Orland Fire District Board Candidate Christian Barcelona

ORLAND PARK, IL — The consolidated election is set for April 1, and some new faces could be joining the Orland Fire Protection District Board of Trustees.

Two, six-year terms are up for grabs, as well as one unexpired two-year. Six are vying for the former, and three for the latter.

Running for the six-year seats are incumbent Beth Damas Kaspar, incumbent Commissioner Donald "DJ" Jeffers, and Bridget Tolan on the Fiscal Voices for Fire Safety Slate.

Also running on slate Together, Protecting & Supporting Orland Fire are Danielle Dorsey, Christian Barcelona, and Jennifer May.

Both Tolan and May are seeking the unexpired seat, as well as Steven Troglio.

A third slate also has two candidates—Mark Mitchell and Paris Stirrat—running for the six-year seats.

Patch issued candidate questionnaires, and answers are now published in candidate profiles.

Early voting began March 17.

Candidate:

Christian Barcelona

Campaign website:

Christian Barcelona for Orland Fire Protection District Trustee

Office sought:

Fire Protection District Board

Town/City of Residence:

Orland Park

Party Affiliation (if a partisan race):

Nonpartisan

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.

Assistant Chief Operating Engineer at the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD). I have been employed there for 19 years.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office:

Orland Park Public Library Trustee

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

The current Orland Fire Chief will be retiring this year, we will need to make that transition to a new leader as seamless as possible. We have a highly trained staff with up to date equipment, and we should keep it that way. We will need to keep pace with ever evolving technology. It takes years to take delivery of a new ambulance or fire truck from the day it is ordered. The board needs to be forward thinking to the needs of Orland residents and plan for the future, long term. The Fire District needs to respond to FOIA requests and improve transparency. The board should record their meetings to make them more accessible to our residents. We also need to hold the line on taxes so that our residents aren't taxed out of their homes.

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

Experience, I am the only candidate running that has won an election. I have been elected twice by the residents of Orland Park to serve on the Orland Park Public Library board. In that position I was previously the President of the board and I am currently the Vice President. I have nearly 10 years of experience on the Orland Park Public Library board and I have been a civil servant for 19 years. I have the endorsements of two Unions the IAFF, International Association of Fire Fighters Local 2754 and the IUOE, International Union of Operating Engineers Local 399. I view the Trustee position as serving our community as a whole and not a few political insiders with an agenda. I will listen to our staff and our residents and address any concerns that may arise in a timely manner.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)?

My opponents don't have much of a record to stand on, or a campaign platform so they are trying to win by running a negative campaign against me. They have taken a comment out of context and made up an entire fantasy story around it. What they are saying isn't true, but they seem to think that if you repeat a lie often enough, the people will believe it. This undermines the office that they are running for, and is a disservice to our brave men and women who work for the Fire District. Yesterday I received a mailer from the opposing slate of candidates. The return address on the envelope says Orland Park on it, but no such address exists in Orland. They are even lying about their address! The voters of Orland Park deserve better, they are sick of the lies, negative comments, and political mud slinging. Our village is a great place to live and raise a family, lets raise our standards, not lower them.

I signed the Code of Fair Campaign Practices form, it is on file with the Illinois State Board of Elections, did they? I would like to remind them of item number 4 on that agreement.

4. I will not use campaign material of any sort that misrepresents, distorts, or otherwise falsifies the facts, nor will I use malicious or unfounded accusations that aim at creating or exploiting doubts, without justification as to the personal integrity or patriotism of my opposition.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

I do not support consolidating the Orland Fire Protection District with the Tinley Park Fire Department, or any other local department or agency. This is a question I am asked by many of the voters I have spoken with while campaigning. This rumor has been denounced by the mayors of Orland and Tinley Park and Chief Schofield. I will never vote to merge the two agencies. There is a video of Chief Schofield addressing the issue on my campaign Facebook page if you would like to watch it.

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

I have been a civil servant for many years working on large public infrastructure projects. Under direction from management I help run the Stickney Water Reclamation Plant, which is considered the largest wastewater treatment plant in the world, and TARP commonly known as "The Deep Tunnel". There are about one hundred and twenty employees in my department and hundreds more in other departments that we work with to achieve our goals. There are often times when I have to think on my feet and make quick decisions for the safety and well being of the residents of our service area, and employees. I have years of experience following collective bargaining agreements.

Why should voters trust you?

I have lived in the area my entire life, I graduated from Carl Sandburg High School and Moraine Valley. Both of my children have graduated from District 230. I have a vested interest in making our community the best place to live in the south suburbs. I have been successful at helping to run the Orland Park Public Library, by expanding and improving our services and outreach programs.

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

I will be make sure we maintain our ISO 1 rating and Cardiac Arrest Save Rate. I will make sure that our employees have all the tools and resources to be successful. I would like to expand on our community engagement where possible.

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

The board must be fiscally responsible, we owe it to our taxpayers. Our residents need to feel confident that their tax dollars are being used effectively. I would like to see less spending on outside consultants and direct that money back into our District. I am mindful of our tax dollars when it comes to decision making. I always ask myself when making financial choices is this something we want or something we need? You may have read in the news lately that the current federal administration is trying to cut everything that they can. Money that we may have received in the past we may not receive in the future. I will seek out new public safety grants and seek out new solutions to reduce the burden on our taxpayers. I will cut waste, and improve efficiency without reducing services. We need a balance that does not overburden our taxpayers and also meets the needs of our first responders and the community.

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?

When you or a loved one are in need of emergency services, the role of our first responders cannot be overstated. Our residents deserve to have the best and most well trained fire and EMS services that we can provide. I will always treat people with respect, and be responsive, and forthcoming in meeting their requests for information.

In my free time I enjoy reading, traveling to new places, and playing guitar.