Tony Michelassi for DuPage County Board

I want to bring back the real meaning to the phrase “public servant.” All too often, politicians act like teachers or parents to the people they represent. Many take their win in an election as evidence that their constituents trust them to do best, with little oversight or input. Representatives are too eager to call themselves “leaders.”

I have no such illusions. I’m running to be YOUR voice in County government, whether you voted for me or not. This means building solid and broad-reaching CONSENSUS. Too much of government, especially at the higher levels, consists of “my way or the highway” politics - you see two sides on every issue, and all they do is work against each other. There is no effort to find a third way, to make concessions and generate an agreement with the opposition. I pledge to provide this effort; that is what true public service is. If a vote comes down to a tie, obviously there wasn’t a consensus reached, and the issue must be discussed a lot more.

I also realize that my own opinions might not align with a significant portion of the people I am running to represent. I am willing to curb my own opinions in favor of yours. You’ll be hiring me, after all. You’ll be my boss. County government gives each District three separate representatives - this allows for minority representation on the Board. If my two colleagues from District 5 are of the majority opinion on an issue, and there is a sizable minority with a different opinion, I will be happy to give that minority a proportional voice and vote on the Board. That will be my duty as your representative.

Further, I am running for this job because I believe a government position can be a rewarding experience… beyond the money I make. I will work very hard to introduce a 40% pay reduction to the average Board Member’s salary, which is currently in excess of $50,000 per year - for a part-time job. Also, I believe all retirement benefits, stipends, and mileage for the Board ought to be eliminated.

And I will most of all treat this as my full-time job. Most Board Members today have lucrative employment elsewhere - the vast majority of them are attorneys. I will serve as a full-time Board Member.