Orland Fire District Trustee Candidate Michael Gabriele: Election '23

Patch is providing candidate profiles for several races in the area. If you are a candidate seeking an opportunity to complete our profile form, please email lauren.traut@patch.com. Please note your position sought.

Name: Michael Gabriele

Age on Election Day: 42

Town/City of Residence: Orland Park

Office Sought: Fire protection district board

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? No.

Education: Bachelor's degree in Public Safety Management from Southern Illinois University

Occupation: I have been in the Fire Service for 20 years and currently serve as Deputy Fire Chief in neighboring Palos Fire Protection District in Palos Park. I have worked closely with the Orland Fire Protection District and have personally served the residents of Orland Fire with Emergency Medical Services and structure fires through auto-aid agreements. As a Deputy Fire Chief, I have the professionalism and leadership to run a Fire District.

Campaign Website: none

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. The most pressing issue that I believe is that politics is trying to be part of running a Fire District. Fire Districts should be ran by qualified, experienced individuals who have knowledge on how Fire Districts operate. It's about providing excellent public service to the residents with no political motives or agendas. It's about the residents within the Orland Fire Protection District. They come first before anything else.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post? I have 20 years experience in the fire service and currently work very closely with my own Board of Trustees at my Fire district. I have the knowledge, experience and leadership skills to run a Fire District and to ensure that all decisions that are made operationally and financially are without any political motives and in the best interest for the tax payers.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)? I think the Orland Fire Protection District is one of the best fire districts around. I believe the current board has done some great things and it shows with how the fire department operates and the resources they have for the residents. My goal is to make sure that continues on and nothing halts great progress that has been made.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform: There are challenges that come with Fire Protection Districts. They are limited on revenue streams with the bulk revenue from property taxes and ambulance billing. The Board of Trustees must ensure that the budget does not operate at a deficit or it will hurt the taxpayers by possibly paying more in property taxes. I will make sure everything that is done will be fiscally responsible for the taxpayers.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job? I have had the rank of Deputy Fire Chief for three years. All three years we have operated our department and budget always thinking about the tax payers first. Our Board of Trustees always consider being fiscally responsible with any capital expenditure or large expense and I will do the same. I'm doing the job currently at a Chief Officer level so I know I can do it very well as a Trustee.

Why should voters trust you? I have been a loyal public servant for 20 years. I have been a model employee at my current fire department and a law abiding citizen my whole life. I have made it my mission in life to serve others and that is what I love to do. The fire service is my passion and I have a lot more years to continue my service. I choose to serve for all the residents and for my family. I'm a family man that is married and have three grade school aged children. I can proudly say I love what I do and I would love to be a Trustee for the Orland Fire Protection District.

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office as a success? To ensure that Orland Fire Protection District remains the best with technology, innovation and efficiency with operations. Simply having the Orland Fire Protection District continue growing and getting better will be a great accomplishment. To continue having adequately trained personnel and the proper resources needed to mitigate any emergency.

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the handling of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking? This is one of the most important responsibilities for a Trustee. Making financial decisions while also being fiscally responsible. I live by that right now as a Deputy Fire Chief. As Trustee I will continue to operate that way. Everything has a process and legal way to make capital purchases and they must always be followed to ensure the taxpayers money is being handled responsibly.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family? There is no reason that I would not serve a full term.

The best advice ever shared with me was: To always surround yourself with positive, hard-working people and separate yourself from people who are always negative. A positive attitude can be contagious and if you surround yourself with other positive people, you will feel more positive about life.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions? I am not a politician, nor do I plan on being one. I have no political endorsements or agenda. The Fire Service is what I know and my passion. The most important priority is to always ensure the fire department has properly trained personnel, equipment, apparatus, and resources to complete any task while being fiscally responsible to the taxpayers. I would be proud and honored to serve as a Trustee for the Orland Fire Protection District. I am asking for your support and vote on April 4th, 2023. Thank you.