McHenry County Board District 1
My reasons for running for McHenry County Board have not changed since my first election. I have lived in McHenry County for thirty-six years; I have raised my family here and they have returned to McHenry County to raise their families. I am committed to ensuring the quality of life we enjoy and protecting the future for all McHenry County residents.
The experiences garnered from thirty years as a small business owner, as well as my years as a public servant have provided me with the skills and knowledge to prove myself a strong advocate for my constituents.
I do not support the County Executive form of government. I am troubled by the unprecedented power this would provide to one person. McHenry County has created a board with rules and procedures arrived at by consensus. These rules have led our county to financial stability, a fair balance of power and accountability. During the redistricting process the board considered and dismissed the idea of electing the Chairman by an at-large vote. The position would have enjoyed many of the same privileges of a county executive and there was not support for this direction. Finally, I don’t agree that there exists a resistance to allowing the voters the ability to decide this process. It is my remembrance that recent discussions detailed the timing of placing that question on the ballot.
I am a county board candidate and also a thirty- six year resident and McHenry County property taxpayer. If there was a simple solution to freeze property taxes and continue to address critical public services; i.e. education, infrastructure, mental health and public safety I would most decidedly support it. It is my understanding that the county or any level of government cannot use public funds to lobby for or against any initiative, only to provide education. Referring specifically to Representative Frank’s legislation, I believe he tried to utilize an oversimplified approach to tax reform to garner widespread political appeal. Without an organized plan to compensate for the revenue impact his legislation lacked support from his peers and was overwhelmingly defeated.
I was among a significant number of McHenry County Board members that supported a different approach to covering the budget shortfall from operating reserves rather than extending the levy during last year’s budget and levy process. I believe we realized the outlying financial implications to that action. This year during early budget discussions the board has sent a strong message regarding any tax levy increase. As an elected representative of the residents of McHenry County, I believe it is my responsibility to represent their interests, concerns and perspectives. We; along with all other units of government, need to hold the line on tax increases. We must continue to look at ways of decreasing operational expenses, managing personnel costs and sharing resources rather than simply increasing the levy.
I agree that the couple did encounter an arduous process with their application. Part of that laborious undertaking was attributable to the fact that they were the first to propose such a business. The county had no “winery” license in our liquor ordinance; hence no ability to offer zoning for the request. I share their frustration with the time element in the process for amending the ordinance. I believe that there are instances in our health department, zoning, sign and access management ordinances where we have the opportunity to apply a “common sense” approach that would result in improved interactions with the business community.
Transportation has been and will continue to be a large challenge in our district. With the largest percentage of the county’s population within our area we face some of the most intense congestion. Route 31, Algonquin Road, Randall Road and Route 14, to name a few of our problem areas. I encourage the county to continue aggressively pursuing federal and state funding for projects already planned and undertaken. I also advocate continued coordination between our municipalities and the county with a desire to coordinate solutions from a regional perspective.
Public transit is another important component in the transportation issue. There are areas within our district with little if any public transportation opportunities. I would like to see the county continue and extend its partnership with Pace to provide expanded service to these areas.
My years as a village trustee and County Board Member were productive and helpful to many people. My elected official knowledge, professional business and government consulting experience, and community involvement contribute to understanding issues that are important to people throughout the county. As a Board member, I will be in a position to assist more individuals and groups as I work to make wise budget, zoning, transportation, public safety , and other administrative decisions. I am a proven citizen advocate who believes in open communication, citizen participation, and decisions which are in the best short and long term interests of the residents.
I will vote no to the referendum and I encourage others to do the same. The executive form of government is dangerous. The current system, while far from perfect, provides for more participation from Board members and the public in the decision making process and the end results. The system we have now allows for accountability and consequences from work performance. The executive form of government creates individual power and control – exactly the situation most Americans do not want to experience with federal, state, or local government.
I fully support an advisory referendum to allow voters to decide if they want the Board Chairman position to change to a county wide election.
I do not support using taxpayer money to lobby against any legislation that hurts property taxpayers. Taxpayers are experiencing great hardship due to declining property values, rising food and gasoline expenses, medical bills, unemployment and more. Taxpayers deserve to have Board members who will make decisions that benefit residents, not decisions that cause greater hardship. Budget decisions should be made with greater attention to line items and a full understanding of all that is included in each item. Furthermore, the decision to use lobbyists for any reason needs to be analyzed and evaluated before entering into future contractual agreements. Elected representatives and staff can perform much of the work lobbyists complete without an additional expense for services.
I agree to support a freeze to the county’s levy next year due to current conditions of the economy. Next year is expected to be a continued struggle for individuals and businesses. An increase to the county’s levy would not be appropriate. The issue should be a moot point if additional cuts to the county budget are implemented. Governmental entities need to reduce expenditures just as individuals and companies have been doing for a lengthy period of time.
This specific experience labeled the entire County Board as not supporting business development. Until this situation, the County Board was perceived as business friendly. Now to restore the reputation for assisting businesses, the Board must improve relationships and streamline various processes. The County should examine conflicting or confusing ordinances and provide clarification in the Unified Development Ordinance which is almost complete. Additionally, the County should show leadership as a coordinator among different groups which promote business.
The Economic Development Corporation, tourism bureau, and workforce development unit could combine goals and resources. Duplication of services should be eliminated. This would reduce costs and add greater value to efforts. Expansion of existing programs such as “shop local” campaigns and agritourism efforts could lead to more jobs and opportunities for local residents and also benefit existing businesses. The County Board should provide direction, example, and leadership in this area.
Finally, County Board members need to put forth effort to not only support local businesses, but also make it a priority to attract and secure new businesses which create jobs, increase revenues, and reduce the number of unused sites and buildings.
Maintaining the quality of life we desire is the greatest challenge. Many of our residents continue to be challenged in their day to day living with an inability to pay for and obtain basic necessities. The county must provide services at an efficient cost and not use tax increases to fund services. A tax increase or unnecessary spending causes residents to have even fewer dollars to pay for their personal needs. I will commit to researching and analyzing each Board decision and each citizen’s issue with the end goal of making decisions based on facts, common sense, and understanding. I am dedicated to bringing government to people through personal contact, open communication, hard work, and full inclusion of the public.
I am running for re-election to the position because I care about the County we live in and hope to make a difference for the future generations. The Board needs members with a broader perspective of peoples needs and how to manage those needs in the current state of our economy. I have served on the Board and its various committees over the past four years and believe I have brought my knowledge, experience and basic common sense in a positive way to contribute to the county’s current state. My background in accounting, management and the law as well as my experience as a business owner allows for a more technical or educated approach to the tasks presented. Although I believe my basic common sense and unbiased approach which I apply when analyzing and voting on the issues presented gives me the ability to look at the needs of our citizens in order to best serve them.
It is my understanding that the executive form of government would allow for a position that would give one person too much power. I think the voters should answer the ultimate question. I am not against a popularly elected chairman. Let the voters decide!
If such expenditures would ultimately pass tax savings to the citizens in an overwhelming amount, then it could be justified as an investment of the taxpayer’s dollars with a substantial return. The ultimate question is, what would be the cost and, what would be the end benefit to the taxpayers. Additionally what would be the risk of the investment of the taxpayer’s money in relation to the potential return. I would keep an open mind as to the arguments that would be presented for and against the proposition as well as the consensus of the public.
Yes. Last year I voted for the levy only because it would have been fiscally irresponsible and poor financial management to do otherwise in the eleventh hour. To reduce the expected revenues in that amount without proper planning and budgeting is purely irresponsible! The County has not achieved the financial standing it currently holds with such reckless decisions. I am all for the freezing of the levy for as many years as we can possibly manage without reducing our reserves and cutting our services. The required planning as we did in the past year and the continued work of our management and staff to reduce unnecessary expenditures will allow me to support a freeze on our levy. It is my position that we continue to keep the good financial management of the county as well as continue to provide the services required by our citizens. This can all be attained with the continued joint effort of our hard working employees and management with the members of our board. We can make this work without cutting services and without raising the levy.
I think there are some that try to over regulate and control all aspects of any changes or growth in the county. I think we need to allow for the changes that will inevitably come over time. There are to many that can not except the fact that we are a growing community and that there will be drastic changes that will affect many of us. We need to allow for growth and the economic development of the county. It is imperative to that the property owners are given the benefit of the laws of our constitution without restricting there ability to make an honest living or enjoying their property. There must be some safeguard put in place that will keep the board from over-regulating and restricting the ability of business owners and property owners from opening businesses and using their property.
I believe the biggest challenge in my district is traffic congestion and transportation, which is a work in progress and is continuing to be corrected with the hard work of our staff and board members. Also as it continually arises and is of great concern would be the property taxes. Although the county does not have the control to significantly reduce those taxes we need to work with the state in some resolution as to the problem.
I’m seeking a position on the McHenry County Board to make a difference in the growth and policy making of the County.
My qualifications for the job come from my business back ground; Owner and operator of a successful construction company in the County for ten years. Then using those skills plus learning others as Director of Building, Planning and Zoning for the Village of Cary where I worked for the residents of Cary for 23 years.
I strongly support the democratic way of determining if an Executive Chairmanship position should be created for McHenry County. However, I’m not in support of the new position. I feel the position duplicates the roll of the County Administrator having the authority to hire and fire staff, make appointments and control the budget the only difference is the power to veto, and chair the County Board. To vote as a County Board member the individual would have to be elected to both positions as a County Board member and the executive chairmanship. With all this confusion and duplication of salaries I’m not convinced the position is needed in McHenry County.
I support efforts to stop tax increases in years when property values are in decline. The County Board needs to establish policy to hold the line on tax increases. The County staff has done a great job on holding the line on spending. All taxing districts need to hold line increase there taxing authority during these difficult times
I will not support the tax levy increase for next year as I did not support it this year. I was one of only six Board Members that did not support the tax levy increase. When the general population is cutting back and tightening their belt why should the taxing district of the county exercise their power to increase taxes in these hard times?
The proposed winery in the County should have been handled differently, however hind sight is 20/20. The proposed winery, new to McHenry County is not new to the Country, so it should have fit easily in to our ordinances. This being the case the County’s Administrator or the Director of Planning and Development should have proposed an amendment to the county’s codes to create a permitted or conditional use for wineries opening the door and welcoming the owners of the winery. If the county wants to promote new business it must take a more proactive approach.
Today it’s a different world. The collapse of our economy and loss of so many good jobs has placed a tremendous burden on the citizens of the county and beyond. As a Board Member my biggest roll would be to be that watch dog of a balance budget, institute policy’s that control spending always with hope to reduce it. Last, we need to stop tax increases during these difficult times to ease the minds of the Tax Payer’s of the County.
I am running for office because it is time that the people of our community hold their elected officials to a higher standard of ethical and responsible behavior. Our County Board is playing backroom politics, raising both salaries of elected officials and property taxes, and certain members are being investigated. McHenry County District One needs a new representative, who has integrity, and who will serve the people of McHenry County honestly and diligently. I am such a person, having lived and worked in McHenry County for the past 36 years, I have devoted many of those years to volunteer efforts in such organizations as the McHenry County Historic Preservation Commission, which I now chair. I hold a degree in Political Science and am current on the issues of McHenry County generally and District 1 in particular. I have never held public office before, and believe that I bring a fresh perspective to the Board. I strongly support transparent government and think that citizens must have access to both discussion and decisions made by their elected representatives. I believe county government has a responsibility to protect and care for the most vulnerable of its population and facilitate the best quality of life for all. I am a concerned and compassionate person who will work hard for a sustainable environment, fiscally sound local economy and secure future for all citizens.
I believe that the petition allowing this referendum to be placed on the ballot was misrepresented to its signers as only changing the process of electing the chairman by popular vote. The timing of its presentation is suspect as well, coming within days of the end of the filing deadline. McHenry County citizens need to understand well what they are voting for by approving this referendum, and I do not believe voters have had any chance to become educated on the full ramifications of this change. Will County experienced this in 1988 with disastrous results which took years to overcome.
As to popular election of the chair, the correct referendum would have asked this question specifically, giving voters the choice regarding direct election of their Board’s chairman, as is the case in several other Illinois Counties. No such petition was ever advanced or circulated by any citizen. It is the prerogative of the County Board to elect its own chair in accordance with its other administrative and legislative functions, in order to fulfill its mission to the citizens of McHenry County. If the chairman is so important as to be elected at large, then it should be a primary issue between citizens and their district’s candidates during the campaign. In summary, I do not believe that there is resistance by the Board to allow voters the choice of popular election of the chairman.
I do not. Whatever rhetorical gymnastics are used to defend this, the practice of using taxpayer funds to defeat taxpayer interests is antithetical to the concept of representative government. It may well be in government’s interest to fund itself, but the primary function of government, according to McHenry County’s own Mission Statement, is to provide for the ’...continuing improvement of the health, safety and welfare of the people of McHenry County’. Councils of Governments and other organizations whose primary purpose is to maintain governmental infrastructure and financial stability, develop agendas which are often at cross purposes with the citizens who have elected their member organizations. Government is first responsible to its citizens, especially in financial matters. The idea that our representatives would allocate funds to defeat legislation meant to protect the financial well-being of its citizens is an affront to those citizens, and should not stand.
The County Board is acting responsibly in foregoing the collection of the tax levy increase. There is a general perception by the voters that all taxing districts will request as much increase as they can get, now capped at 3 percent. Many members of the Board however, feel that this perception reflects negatively on them, and any form of tax relief is better than none, certainly more favorable than an increase if possible. My support for the levy freeze would be firm if elected. Without an increase in business growth and per capita income, any increase in the amount of taxes paid by citizens is unfair and detrimental to the financial health of the community. This is a complicated subject. The levy can be frozen and the multiplier can go up. Rate, extension, CPI or PTELL are all terms which further complicate tax calculation and render the final amount almost incomprehensible to the average person. Illinois House Bill 3793, introduced by Rep. Jack Franks in June 2011, attempted to prevent paying more taxes by freezing the extension, which would have struck at the heart of the beast. Taxing districts and the County’s taxpayer-funded lobbyists fought against this bill and largely defeated it. Getting to the reality of lower taxes is a commitment I willingly make, and will support all legitimate efforts to that end.
The County Board has been an obstacle to the development of the winery. Unfounded fears about underage drinking and promoting taverns in the rural areas had clouded the issue and confounded the owner’s best efforts to establish this business. I actually heard one Board member tell the Liquor Committee that ... ’ McHenry County soils are not suited to growing grapes’. She went on to explain that the growing of grapes is the only activity which should be allowed in agricultural zoning, and that the processing of the fruit should be restricted to industrial areas. Separating these functions defeats the business model of the vineyard/winery and presents roadblocks to the process. This example shows how the County Board can be difficult in promoting business. I am certain that there are many examples of the Board doing a good job in this area. The County Board and local municipalities need to work closely to both attract new business and ensure the health and growth of existing business. The Board can do much in the way of relaxing restrictions, providing zoning variances and developing infrastructure support to assist local commerce and industry. These would be the focus of my efforts if elected.
The biggest challenge facing voters in District 1 is a direct result of the bad economy – the payment of property taxes. Every day I canvass in District 1 I hear the same fearful comments, tinged with resignation. The property tax burden has become insurmountable to many. Annual property tax payments of $6-10,000 and beyond are common in McHenry County. Like the proverbial frog placed in cold water which is slowly brought to boil, we are somehow allowing our government to grow beyond our ability to fund it solely on a property tax model. As long as citizens are capable of producing income this is not an issue. When income slows, ceases or extraordinary debt arises, the system fails. People are removed from their homes (families, communities) and replaced with others who hopefully can shoulder the burden. This is inherently cruel and unfair.
The first step in addressing property tax relief is educating citizens in both the complexities of the system and the rights they have in that system. Next, public officials need to comprehend the limits of taxation and function within the means provided them by citizens. Finally, the property tax system itself requires updating. Progressive taxation, assessment based on final sale instead of unrealized annual capital gain, and safety net triggers which prevent the loss of homes in crisis situations are all topics for discussion.
