A.C. Arnie C. Dienoff: Candidate for O'Fallon City Council, Ward 1

Name:  AC – Arnie C. Dienoff  
Age:  It does NOT matter ones age in running in an Election, it is important about what one brings to the table and can contribute to the betterment of community  
Education:  Business Management/Public Administration, I am working on my Master’s Degree in Business/Public Administration  
Occupation:  Community Property Management/Public Advocate/Legal Consultant  
Previous Elected Offices: Never been Elected top Public Office. However I have worked and been appointed to several positions at the State, County, Municipal, District and Township Levels of Government.  
Number of Years in O’ Fallon:  I have Family and roots dating back to five (5) Generations in O’ Fallon  
Organizations:  I have been very involved in the Community and Public Service:    Public Advocate at all functions of the O’ Fallon City Council; Community Activist at the St. Charles County Council; Advocate at the St. Charles County Ambulance District; Advocate at the O’ Fallon Fire Protection District; Assist with projects of the O’ Fallon Salvation Army; Help with Homeless Projects and the hungry; Board Director of Youth Sing Praise, Incorporated; Community Volunteer for several causes    

Candidate Questions:  

1. What is the Primary reason you are running for this Office?
I am running for the City Council because I want to make a difference in the community and improve the quality of life in all of the neighborhoods in a team effort with other members of the City Council. The public’s trust and accountability with my opponent and the current Mayor and his Administration have been severely broken with the citizens. There is a lack of leadership and accountability of the Ward and at City Hall in the Administration. I will restore integrity, honesty, trust and common-sense responsibility back to our city government for and by all 85,000 Residents. I will work very hard to listen to all parties and issues with an open keen ear and will vote for the best interests of the City’s future with out any influence from any special outside special interest groups. I will always read all of the council packets, supporting documents, will do my research and ask the important questions of all parties involved and will always have reasons and the data to back up my decision on any issue or vote before the City Council.

2. What will be your single most important priority if you get elected?
Providing the best public safety that we can afford and economic development to attract quality businesses that will employ and serve residents and generate needed tax dollars to provide essential city services.

3. What’s your favorite thing about O’ Fallon?
The people, the great families and sense of a wonderful caring community

4. What is the biggest problem you see in O’ Fallon?
Lack of effective and quality leadership than can get the job done and put our City on the right track for economic success.

5. What is your vision for O’ Fallon?
To continue to grow at a moderate pace with responsible insight and an understandable decision making process, balanced annual budgets and audit accountability for every dollar spent. That Municipal Government be open and transparent with City information and documents and that the City begins complying with the provisions of Chapter #610 of the Revised State Statues of Missouri, known as the Missouri Open Meetings and Open Records Act.

6. If you are challenging an incumbent, what do you think qualifies you for the position more than the incumbent?
I have a college education in Business Administration/Management. I have worked and been appointed to several positions at the State, County, Municipal, District and Township levels of government in the past.   I have been involved with the City and have lobbied and testified before the City Council on several issues. I am the Chairman of the Petitioners Committee “Stop Tax Break” that spearheaded a Referendum Drive of 843 Registered Voter Signatures to stop the $40-Million Tax Payer Bonds and Tax Abatement for the Centene Corporation that will only create six (6) jobs to our community while Centene has generated 4.2-Billion Dollars in Sales and over 100-Million Dollars in record profits.   I have been a Public Advocate and Community Activist before the City Council for the past three (3) years fighting and testifying for the rights of citizens and the future direction of our City. Now it is time that I have a vote on the Council and represent Ward One (1) Residents wishes, always Putting People First over any Special Interest.    
Goals that you have for the City Council:   1. Public Safety, adding additional police officers on the road and patrolling our diverse neighborhoods with community based-policing initiative for establishing and fostering lasting relationships city-wide. Addressing the issues and field grievances of Police Department Employees. Will move that the City Council meet and confer to hammer out a Memorandum of Understanding between the City and the O’ Fallon Police Officers Association. Enhanced D.W.I. Traffic Enforcement with a “No Tolerance Policy.” Police Officers deserve a pay raise for the important and dangerous work that they do. Police staff and the community need to work together in ensuring that we become the Safest City in America. 2.  Capital Improvements Plan and Street Repair Program. Cutting budgets in other areas and adding funds for long-term street repairs on our aging infrastructure. Better traffic control plan and additional street lights. Current street light bulb replacement and maintenance program with tracking documentation to make sure that it gets completed. I will work on improving our Citizens First Response Bureau. 3.  I will hold the line on our out of control Debt Service. I will mandate balanced yearly budgets, annual audits and will work very closely with the City Auditor to find savings and identify waste of tax monies. I will also work hand in hand with the Purchasing Agent, Finance and Budget Staff and will call for the establishment of a Finance and Operations Oversight Committee of the City Council. I will be the peoples “Watch-Dog” over all City Finances and will question out of line expenditures, watching out for and keeping a keen eye on tax-dollars. I will eliminate all waste; provide efficient public services and no increases in taxes.