Election Issues: Carlo Colosimo

With election season in full swing, Yorkville Patch wanted to give readers a clear view of how local candidates compared on recent issues that surfaced before the City Council. Below are the answers from Carlo Colosimo, who is running against Robert Allen for alderman in Ward 1. Allen's answers can be found here.

Come back tomorrow to see how the Ward 2 alderman candidates answered the same questions.

•  Would you have voted to place a binding bike trails referendum on the April 5 ballot? Why?

I would have voted against placing the binding referendum on the ballot.  A referendum was just on the ballot and failed.  Before the previous referendum the mayor and supporters of the trails said that we "will leave it up to the voters." The voters have spoken and said "no."  How many times do we need to put the referendum on the ballot?  Obviously, the supporters of the bike trail are willing to let the voters decide, only if the voters vote the way they want. 

• Looking at the water and sewer bond problem the City Council faced this winter in the 2011-2012 fiscal year, what do you think is the best solution?

At this point we have no choice but to find alternate revenue streams.  Defaulting on our bonds is not an option. Currently, the city council has voted to place the burden on the property taxes. Although, this is a bitter pill to swallow we must honor our past obligations.  However, before I am willing to place the burden on the taxpayer I want to make sure that our city budget has been cut as much as possible. I do not believe this has been done. 

• Looking at the water and sewer bond problem for fiscal year 2012-2013 and beyond, what do you think is the best solution? Do you favor the proposed sales-tax increase?

We need to trim our budget as much as possible, while still preserving public safety and public works. Although the increased sales tax sounds good since it would pass some of the burden on to non-residents, I have many reservations. First, I believe this will negatively affect local business. Many of these businesses have been loyal to Yorkville for years. We need to be loyal to them.  Secondly, once the bonds are paid off, I doubt that our government would reduce the sales tax to its original level.

• How would you characterize the working relationships among current City Council members? How do you think you work/would work within that environment? 

The current city council is broken.  This stems from a lack of leadership.  It is unfortunate since it does not serve anyone's best interest.  If elected, I am willing to work with whomever the residents elect.  I understand that everyone on that council and the mayor were elected by the people and deserve their due respect.  This is a concept that is lost with many on our current council.