2019 Elections Guide: Michael J. Pannitto, Tinley Trustee

TINLEY PARK, IL — Patch asked all candidates running for elected office in the April 2, 2019 municipal elections to participate in our voters guide. All submissions are voluntary. Those whose names are not listed chose not to respond or did not respond to requests for information. Responses are edited for style or space only.

Get to know your candidates:

Name: Michael J. Pannitto

Age: 56

Position sought: Trustee

Party affiliation: Concerned Citizens for Tinley Park

Family: Wife, Roberta, veterinarian
Daughter, Nicole, Andrew High School Senior and
Son, Michael, Andrew High School Sophomore

Education: Juris Doctor - John Marshall Law School
Masters Degree in Criminal Justice - Chicago State University
Bachelor of Business Administration - Stephen F. Austin State University

Occupation: Public Defender - 16 years

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Offices: Current Tinley Park Village Trustee, (2015-present)
Previous Tinley Park Park District Commissioner, (1995-2015) (unpaid position)

Campaign Website: Concerned Citizens for Tinley Park

Names and offices of all family members who work in politics or government: NA

The most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and what I intend to do about it: Keeping our village, a safe, desirable place to live and raise a family.

This can be accomplished by:

• Keeping the community engaged in public safety via neighborhood watch, coffee with a cop, text and email updates, and other initiatives.
• Strategic use of cameras at key intersections and other tools to enable first responders to do their jobs and deter crime.
• Attracting and retaining quality business; insisting on high quality development that fits with the character of our village.
• Retaining and developing existing business thereby preventing vacant or abandoned properties.
• Responsibly revitalizing downtown, TPMHC, the old K-mart and other abandoned storefronts.
• Ensuring roads and infrastructure are properly maintained by working with other governments and new technologies.

What are the key differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post? Independence, Experience, and Integrity. I have a long history of public service and I have a true desire to make our village a better place to live.

Explain your attitudes toward fiscal policy, government spending and how taxpayer dollars should be handled by your office (or board): Tax money is necessary to keep essential public services like police, fire, and streets and sanitation running. When looking at the use of tax money for essential services, I look at it in terms of if we, as taxpayers, are getting the best value for our money. When evaluating proposed spending beyond essential services - I look at whether the spending will decrease taxes by creating growth in tax revenues without a corresponding expense for public services, or whether the proposed use will significantly improve the quality of life of residents without increasing taxes. I am concerned that sometimes government expenses grow without providing value to the taxpayers. For these reasons I believe expenditures, especially from TIF’s, must be closely monitored and never allowed to occur unless there is a significant public benefit.

In what way have current officeholders of the position you're running for failed the community? How would you do better? Although I could criticize other officeholders, I do not feel that commenting on the failings of the current officeholders accomplishes any worthwhile objectives for our village. Our village board should be working to serve the citizens of Tinley Park, and I would prefer to comment on the what our board has accomplished in the past 4 years:

No serving elected official is participating in the village's health insurance or pension plan, and no member of CCTP will. Additionally, Longevity Pay for Public Officials has been eliminated.

All committee meetings and board meetings are now recorded, and the village website and Facebook page keeps residents informed about what is going on in local government.

Public Safety has been improved by placing cameras at strategic intersections in town, community engagement efforts like neighborhood watch, coffee with a cop and others have been instituted. Also, additional police staffing has been authorized, command structure improvements have been made, and new technology provided.

Infrastructure work has begun for long stalled areas downtown with new development and public improvements scheduled to begin this year.

Several roads through our village either have been repaired or are slated to receive long overdue repairs.

Numerous legal issues that had plagued the village are now resolved.

Going forward there is much left to do, including:

Ensuring roads, sewers and other infrastructure are maintained.

Ensuring downtown development is of high quality, includes adequate parking, a traffic plan, and does not increase the burden on our schools.

Ensuring the proper remediation and responsible development of the TPMHC, if and when, the state sells the property.

Ensuring minimal commercial vacancies

Ensuring the people’s interests are respected and represented.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform: I believe as a trustee my duty is to ensure the interests of the people of Tinley Park are represented. Some of the challenges ahead are to responsibly develop downtown and the Tinley Park Mental Health Center in a way that benefits the whole community. To create a safe, vibrant, and desirable place for all of us to live, work, play, and raise a family.

If you win this position, how would you define your term in office as a success? To me a successful term would include:

• Full occupancy of vacant store fronts, buildings, or properties.
• Well maintained roads and infrastructure
• High property values.
• Lower Taxes.
• Lower crime rates.
• A vibrant, livable community we can all take pride in.

Please share with voters a story about wisdom gained from a mistake you made in your life or career: A judge once told me, after watching a case that I was trying, that I almost grasped defeat from the jaws of victory. It taught me to always listen first; hear what people have to say and then make your decision as to how to proceed.

Why should voters trust you? Voters should be vigilant in ensuring all their elected officials are acting in their best interest. I hope my actions while on the board have shown that I am listening to the citizens and will not vote for anything that does not benefit the community.

Which accomplishments do you cite as evidence you can handle this job? When I came into the Park District 24 years ago, it was on the heels of a Park District purchase with taxpayer funds of two properties that were intended to be rehabbed and used by private companies. I ran for the Park board because this use of taxpayer funds benefited the businesses but not the residents. After being elected, one of the properties was converted into the Vogt Visual Arts Center, and the other one was sold. After dealing with the aftermath of those ill-conceived projects, the work of creating great recreational opportunities for the residents began. While I was on the board the Recreation Center, water park, Freedom park, and others were completed. These facilities are enjoyed by the residents, have improved the value and livability of our community, and expanded the recreational options for Tinley Park residents.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions? If elected I will continue to listen to and work for the people of Tinley Park and ensure their interests are represented.