Election 2013: Joseph Marchese

Your Name: Joseph A. Marchese

Position Sought: Darien City Council, Ward 5

Campaign Contact Information: jcj60561@yahoo.com

Family Members: Wife Cathy; sons Jeff, Jon, Jameson; grandchildren Jake, 6, and Ella, 3. No one in my family is involved in public office or connected to the City of Darien government.

Education: Northern Illinois University - B.S. in Education - 1973; Northern Illinois University - M.S. in Education - 1975; Northern Illinois University - 90 hours doctoral work in Curriculum and Instruction.

Current Occupation and Employer: Benedictine University - Senior Lecturer/Cohort Supervisor, Harold and Margaret Moser School of Adult and Professional Studies. Board of Directors - Guerin College Preparatory High School (Non-Paid). Retired High School Administrator (35 Years) - Last Employment: Oak Lawn Community High School in 2006.

Why Are You Seeking Office?

Darien is a community with a tremendous history of volunteerism as evidenced by its numerous service organizations and the social/economic and recreational services they seek to provide. I view my participation as Ward 5 alderman as an extension of this volunteer spirit. My work over these past 16 years has only had one motive, finding ways to assist in improving the Darien community and in giving back to a living environment that has been good to me and my family. As we continue to work through difficult economic times, it is even more critical to have experienced leaders who understand that public service requires a sensitivity to the economic needs of his or her constituents while also finding ways of providing the resources and services sought and needed by the Darien community. I ask for your support and your VOTE as I seek to continue a leadership role that has as its goal the success and enrichment of the Darien community.

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

I don't believe there is one single issue, but rather several that merit our attention as elected officials. These are listed in priority order:

• Darien leaders need to continue to prioritize our infrastructure maintenance and repair projects (streets, ditches, sidewalks) with an eye toward developing and implementing a long range capital development and spending program;
• Darien leaders need to continue to seek business and economic growth opportunities for our Darien community in an effort to improve services to residents while also increasing financial resources and revenues;
• Darien leaders need to continue to provide modern technology and management strategies to our public safety system thus insuring the efficient and effective delivery of police services to the Darien community;
• Darien leaders need to continue to seek and grow the inter-governmental spirit promoted over the past three years in order to support the needs of all governmental bodies (schools, park, church) in providing the educational, social, religious and recreational needs of the Darien community in a cost effective manner;
• Darien leaders need to continue to foster a council working relationship that has as its only agenda, one common goal: the success and enrichment of the entire Darien community.

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

My history of service to the city, at the governmental level and my dedication to the well-being of the entire Darien community over the last 27 years. The experience I bring forth involves my knowledge as to the processes and procedures of the day to day operation of the city. Over the past 16 years, I have developed an expertise in the areas of municipal services and community development, and I've worked with city staff in the development of protocols which bring cost efficiency and effectiveness to these areas. In addition, I developed an excellent working relationship with Darien businesses in an attempt to promote their economic growth and development. Neither of my two opponents has this record of success or contributions to the city.

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

As stated above:

• Darien leaders need to continue to prioritize our infrastructure maintenance and repair projects (streets, ditches, sidewalks) with an eye toward developing and implementing a long range capital development and spending program;
• Darien leaders need to continue to seek business and economic growth opportunities for our Darien community in an effort to improve services to residents while also increasing financial resources and revenues;
• Darien leaders need to continue to seek and grow the inter-governmental spirit promoted over the past three years in order to support the needs of all governmental bodies (schools, park, church) in providing the educational, social, religious and recreational needs of the Darien community in a cost effective manner.

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

The city, its staff and elected officials needs to continue to develop and expand its dialogue with local business through the Darien Chamber of Commerce in order to seek input on promoting and expanding their financial success within the city.

We have charged city staff with the task of reaching out to potential business opportunities, (see Chuck's Southern Comfort and Chase Bank), and presenting them with the opportunities available within the city, (business incentives, demographic make-up, etc), and we need to continue and expand this effort.

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

We are always looking at ways of providing the services to Darien residents that they seek and expect from the city within the framework of our current economic conditions. Elected officials and city staff always need to look not only at where we are from a business, infrastructure, financial standpoint this year, but rather look at and engage in long-term planning.

Please add any other information pertinent to your campaign.

Community Involvement

• Member, Darien Lions Club – 25 years
• Past President, Darien Lions Club
• Past President, Our Lady of Peace School Board
• Past Co-President, Our Lady of Peace Home and School Organization
• Past President, Our Lady of Peace Parish Council
• Mass Lector, Our Lady of Peace Parish
• Member, Knights of Columbus
• Chair, “Darien Days” Committee (Darien Citizen of the Year), 1989-1991
• Member, Darien 25th Anniversary Committee – 1995
• Member, Darien Historical Society
• Member, “Cass 2000” Committee
• Member, School Consolidation Committee
• Instructional League Director/Coach, Darien Youth Club
• Member, Lions of Illinois Foundation “Nightwalk” Committee

Honors and Awards

• Darien Lions Club, “Lion of the Year,” – 1995
• Darien Lions Club, “Melvin Jones/Lifetime Achievement Award,” – 2005
• District 1J Lions, “George Lazansky Award,” – 2008
• Guerin College Preparatory High School, “Davenport, Outstanding Alumni Award,” 2008
• Benedictine University, “Senior Lecturer Status,” – 2012

Related pages:

• Election 2013: Darien City Council
• Joe Kenny
• Halil Avci
• Jim Minardi
• Thomas Belczak