Candidate: WALTER ZALISKO

Several residents in the community have asked me to run for Village Council District 7 because they believe I am the right person to steer the Village in the right direction and that I would provide a new and fresh perspective to government management. I am running for Village Council because I love Estero and its residents. I want to “affect the quality of life.” As a community, we must decide together how to build the village by having cooperative and thoughtful leadership, and to discover new and fresh voices for Estero. I want Estero to be the newest treasure of southwest Florida and to ensure a transparent and responsible form of government. My commitment to public service in New Jersey and Florida spans decades. I am confident that my experience serving on community and regulatory boards, and in private business have provided me with the leadership and management skills necessary to serve on the Village Council. In 2006 I retired as a chief of police, with 37 years of experience in public safety and organizational management. I served as a police lieutenant and Division Commander with the Jersey City (NJ) Police Department; as Undersheriff with Monmouth County (NJ) Sheriff\'s Department; and as Chief of Police for the City of Oak Hill (FL). From 2006 to 2010, I served as Director of Security and Investigations for a New York-based Fortune 400 company. I currently serve as founder and President of Global Investigative Group, an international private investigation and security consulting firm based in Estero. I have extensive experience in managing and improving organizations with budgets exceeding $100 million. Over the last 30 years, I have served on numerous state, county and local advisory and regulatory boards, and on policy-setting committees. From 1996 to 2000, I served as lead advisor for the US Department of State-sponsored overseas police training programs to instruct former Soviet republics in modern policing practices. In 1993, I was appointed by the Governor of New Jersey to serve on a state commission, and as Co-Chairman on the Governor\'s Transition Task Force. As an investigative specialist and police operations consultant, I am frequently called upon by TV, radio and print media outlets to provide expert commentary. My priorities for the Village of Estero include: 1. Ensure a fiscally sound government that reflects efficient use of tax dollars. 2. Ensure responsible economic development in order to keep taxes low. 3. Protect our open spaces and environment. 4. Maintaining Estero\'s appearance standards. 5. Ensure a proper level of public safety services. 6. Encourage an open and transparent form of government with citizen input. 7. Ensure that future development serves our citizens and small businesses first; and reflects sound sustainable practices. SELECT CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENTS • Honored for professional and civic involvement in community betterment projects. • Decorated Police Detective and recipient of numerous awards, including the New Jersey State Senate Public Service Award, a Special Award for heroic actions during the 9-11 terrorist attack in NYC; and an FBI Award. • Served as Criminal Justice Advisor to the Governor-Elect of New Jersey. • Former Senior Advisor for US Department of State overseas police training missions. • Authority on Russian Organized Crime and Human Trafficking. Developed strategies to combat Human Trafficking. • Collaborated with an alliance of police, school officials, prosecutors, and citizens to design and implement a comprehensive school district security and gang reduction programs. • Former Member, Florida Police Chief\'s Association. • Served as Director of Emergency Management, City of Oak Hill Florida. • Former Member, International Association of Chief\'s of Police. • Former Member, New Jersey Sheriff’s Association Professional Standards Committee. • Served as a Commissioner on the New Jersey State Ethnic Advisory Commission. • Served on the Manalapan Township (NJ) Emergency Management Commission. • Former Chairman, Manalapan Township (NJ) Substance Abuse Committee. • Former Chairman, Manalapan Township Comunity Alliance. • Published Author - Numerous professional journals and Readers Digest. • Licensed Private Investigator - State of Florida. • Elected Regional Director - Florida Association of Licensed Investigators. • Served as a Member of the Mayoral Transition Team - City of Jersey City (NJ) 1986 and 2001. • Former Vice-President of the Jersey City Police Detectives Benevolent Association. • Former Member, Volusia County Community Traffic Safety Committee. • Currently serve as an elected member on the Master Board - Bella Terra SWF Homeowner\'s Assoc. • Served as Chairman of the Safety and Security Committee, Bella Terra HOA. • Served as a Member on the Jersey City Neighborhood Improvement District. • Former Volunteer Firefighter - Keasbey (NJ) Fire Department.