Election 2013: Jim Minardi

Your Name: James M. Minardi (Jim)

Position Sought: Darien City Council, Ward 5

Campaign Contact Information: Minardi campaign Facebook pageEmail: jim4ward5@gmail.com

Family Members: Mother Kathy; Father Mike

Education: 

Loyola University Chicago
B.A. - Political Science
Minor - International Studies
Class of 2012

Awards:
Pi Sigma Alpha (Political Science Honors Society)
Dean's List
National Model United Nations Distinguished Delegation

Current Occupation and Employer: 

I currently am an Independent Social Media Consultant helping local business and people in the Chicagoland area leverage the social media space to help increase their business and reach new potential clients.

Before starting as a Social Media Consultant, I served from the point of graduation until November 7th, as a campaign aide to Congresswoman Judy Biggert's re-election campaign. In mid-September, I was hired by the ILGOP to run the second grassroots operation center, known as a Victory Center in Shorewood, IL.

Besides my work after graduation, I have held numerous internships in both nonprofit organizing, political campaigns, social media, and marketing/promotions.

Why Are You Seeking Office?

I am seeking to be Ward 5's next Alderman because I want to be able to give back to a community that has given me so much. As someone who was born and raised in Darien, educated at Concord, Cass, and Our Lady of Peace, and who played numerous sports as a youth, I know first hand the benefits of growing up here.

I have always taken great joy in helping others, whether it was the 12 years I spent in Scouting, starting as a Cub Scout in Pack 97, or helping out at PADS at Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

What will be your single most important priority if you get elected?

My most important priority if elected, will be to listen to the people I serve. Whether you're an alderman, mayor, congressman, or president, you have one responsibility: to serve the people who elected you. After all, you are their representative and must act accordingly.

I have already established a Facebook page and e-mail account where the voters can reach out and let me know their questions, comments, and ideas for what they want to see Darien become.

Darien is "a nice place to live" and I want to keep it that way.

If contested, what sets you apart from the other candidates?

I know that I am young, that's quite obvious. I know I have not yet started a family, nor do I own a home in our wonderful city. However, I bring an enthusiasm and passion for service that I think sets me apart from the other candidates. I think it's time that Darien's city council has a someone on it that offers a different perspective, a perspective of someone who didn't move to Darien and made it their home, but someone who was born and raised here and has always called Darien home.

What do you see as the top three goals for the City of Darien?

1) Maintain the financial health of the city. Only vital projects and expenditures should be undertaken and our financial solvency should always be the number one priority of the City Council.
2) Ensure that Darien remains "a nice place to live". I believe that with our new police chief and the addition of a criminal analyst, we our taking the appropriate steps to combat crime before it happens.
3) Keep Darien exciting. There has been a lot of talk about what to do with the proposed land between Plainfield, Cass, and 75th. I know that Darien lacks the "downtown" feel of Hinsdale or Westmont, but we should still provide an exciting place for the youth of this town to enjoy.

What can be done to continue the promotion of economic development in Darien?

Economic Development is the most crucial issue facing not only our city, but also the country. Since the Great Recession, many businesses, cities, and states have felt the pressure of tightening their belt and cost cutting. I know Darien is looking for ways to not only keep business here, but also to attract new businesses. With that being said, I do believe the city must consider what kind of businesses we want to bring into Darien. Do we really want a bank on every corner? I know Chuck's Southern Comfort on Cass will be opening soon, and I think that's great. We need more businesses in the city that provide not only opportunities for employment and economic development, but also provide a fun atmosphere for Darien's residents.

Is there an issue that's been discussed within the last year in Darien that you think should be revisited?

Recently, Robert Taft, the owner of Q Bar and Grill has petitioned the city council to revisit the idea of allowing video gambling within Darien's city limits. I know that the council decided roughly three years ago to forgo allowing it to occur. However, as Mr. Taft has stated, the addition of video gambling to his establishment would allow for increased revenue not only for his business, but for the city.

Please add any other information pertinent to your campaign.

For those of you who do not know me, I arrived 15 weeks before I was supposed to on a cold and icy evening in January, 1990. I know it was a tough time for my parents who watched me battle for my life during those first few months in the neonatal intensive care unit at the Loyola Medical Center in Maywood.

I made it through due to the grace of God and the wonderful medical professionals at Loyola. At one and a half, my parents moved to Brussels where I spent the next three and a half years. While I was young, I still have some wonderful friends and some special memories from that time.

Upon returning to the US, we moved to Connecticut and spent a year and a half there before finally returning to Darien, to the home where my life first began. I remember turning the corner to come down my street, Gleneyre Rd. It was the summer of 1996 and there were kids everywhere. Darien is a nice place to live because of our neighborhoods and the families who choose to live here and raise their families.

Darien is a nice place to live and I want to keep it a nice place to live, not only for my parent’s generation, but for my generation.

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• Election 2013: Darien City Council
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