Beecher Village Board Candidate: Joseph Gianotti

Why did you decide to run for trustee? I have served as an appointed trustee for 20 months and feel that I want to continue the work I have started in that time. I also want to give back to a community that has given me so much. Beecher offered me a safe environment to grow up in and I have enjoyed living here for 15 years. When my wife and I were looking for where to start our family there was no doubt in my mind that Beecher was where we would be. I love this town and the people that live here. I want to help to continue to keep Beecher a great place to live and I feel that by serving as a trustee is the best way to achieve that goal.

Have you held public office before? Yes, I am currently serving as an appointed trustee on the Village Board which started in June of 2021.

What is your background? I have been a resident of Beecher since 2007 and Graduated from Beecher High School Class of 2011. After completing an HVAC program at Prairie State College in 2012, I applied for the Pipefitters Local Union 597 apprenticeship program and was accepted in April of 2013. In 2018 I completed my apprenticeship and continued working in the HVAC field as a journeyman until November of 2021 when I became an instructor for Pipefitters Local Union 597 Training Center where I am still currently employed.

What community involvement, organization, affiliations, or club memberships do you have? I have been a member of the Beecher 4th of July Commission for 3 years and I have served as the Vice President of the commission since January of 2022. I am also a member of the Son of the American Legion Squadron 330.

What characteristics, qualifications, or experience do you feel you possess to be a trustee? I am hard working and dedicated to any job that I take on. I always look forward to a challenge and when I commit to a task I will see it through to completion. I am a good listener, taking information presented to me, and making an informed decision that is best for the community.

How can the village board improve? I truly feel that the current Village Board is doing a great job for our community. From ensuring that all taxpayers money is spent responsibly, to begin active in the community. The current board has done a great job of getting major infrastructure projects funded and completed including Penfield Street and the public safety building. The board also started the summer concert series to ensure that there are events throughout the summer for the community to come out and enjoy together. With this ground work being done now, I feel that continuing to improve infrastructure in town by completing projects and growing community events the future of Beecher is bright.

What are important issues you’d like to address and how will you address them? The most important issues I would like to address would be streets, sidewalks, and water main, which have been one of the prime focuses of the village board for many years. To continue with getting the improvements done I would vote to keep designing and engineering projects that can be shovel ready so that when federal, state or county grant programs come along we are prepared to apply for funding to complete them. This type of infrastructure is something that is in constant need of repair and upkeep but will continue to be a main focus for me if I’m elected.

What are some improvements you’d like to see happen in Beecher? I would like to find ways to keep improving events that the Village hosts to get more of the community involved. I really would like to find ways to also attract more residents to get involved in the Village Commissions such as the 4th of July Commission, History Preservation Commission and Youth Commission. All of these groups are looking for assistance to help keep the events that the community has come to love going.

Anything else important you’d like people to know? I would like people to know that I have enjoyed the opportunity to sever the community over the past 20 months and I feel I have a lot more to give to our community. I hope that I can gain your support to remain a trustee. If anyone has any questions they can look up my candidate page on Facebook and send me a message. I also encourage everyone to get out and vote on April 4th.