McHenry County Board District 3
I’m running for the McHenry County Board for one reason: to be the public’s watchdog. Too many in government have forgotten that it’s the public’s money we’re spending, but it’s the only thing on my mind as I make decisions that affect the lives of McHenry County residents. I will continue to work to reduce the scope and reach of government to get it out of the way so our families and businesses can thrive. I have over 25 years of business experience, and I will continue to use that experience to support McHenry County small businesses in order to encourage expansion and create jobs for our talented residents. I have 30 years of government and political experience, and was recently re-elected to the Board where I serve as Chairman of the Law & Justice Committee as well as a member of committees on Transportation, Legislative & Government Affairs, Building Projects, Disaster Planning, Local Emergency Planning, the Stormwater Commission, and the Child Advocacy Center. Finally, I have strong relationships with our State and Federal officials which I will continue to use to ensure our county receives our fair share of funding in order to improve our transportation infrastructure.
Unfortunately the executive form of government referendum is nothing more than a political power grab conveniently disguised as reform. Currently the operations of the County are conducted by a professional hired by the Board of individuals elected by their fellow members of the community to make such decisions on their behalf. Should we move to an executive form of government, the day-to-day operations of McHenry County government would be run by a politician rather than an educated and experienced administrator. In addition, making such a move would place too much control in the hands of one person and strip power from the people’s duly elected representatives.
No, I do not support spending taxpayer money to lobby against reforms of the property tax laws. We must protect property taxpayers from excessive government spending and taxing whether property values are increasing or decreasing. The PTELL legislation is outdated and needs immediate review and I will work with our State Representatives to develop protections for when property values are rising AND falling. The only sure way to keep taxes low or to cut taxes is to elect conservative candidates that will pledge to cut the size and cost of government.
Absolutely. I led the fight to reduce the size, scope and cost of County government. That’s why I fought and voted against the County tax levy increase, the 2012 budget, and pay raises for elected officials and employees. In developing this year’s budget, I pushed for a revamped budget development process resulting in a much earlier start date and a series of budget workshops. Pressure generated by these moves and the efforts of some of my fellow Board Members has encouraged staff to develop a budget with no increase in the levy. We are now working towards developing a strategic review of the scope and services of county government with the goal to reduce or re-prioritize our expenditures to cut the cost of government. I promise to ensure we hold the line on spending because I believe the best government is the smallest, most efficient that lives within its means and isn’t burdensome to families and businesses. Those we serve have had to tighten their belts, and with revenues down the county must do the same. We have the unique responsibility of being as efficient, effective, and affordable as possible because we’re not spending our money—we’re spending the public’s.
The county is fairly business friendly, but we must always strive to improve. Specifically as it pertains to the winery business, the concern resulted from the requested concessions to obtain a liquor license which was unprecedented in McHenry County as it relates to allowing liquor consumption outside traditionally zoned areas. To ensure this is not an issue in the future and we continue to become more welcoming to businesses, I am in the process of reviewing the new Unified Development Ordinance to ensure changes made do not hinder the development of business. Putting my 25+ years of business experience to use, I will continue to examine every tax, fee, and regulation imposed by our county government in order to reduce government interference and burdensome red tape so that we can foster a conducive environment for businesses to prosper and create jobs. I will continue to support the county’s revolving loan fund, which provides low-interest capital for business expansion. Most importantly, I will continue to work with local economic development organizations to help McHenry County manufacturers expand their sales base by finding new markets overseas, which I believe to be the quickest path to business expansion and job creation.
We must improve our transportation infrastructure in McHenry County, addressing both capacity and maintenance issues, as this has an impact on both quality of life and economic development. Too much time is wasted sitting in traffic, and this hurts area businesses and inconveniences our residents. I will continue to utilize my intergovernmental relationships to ensure McHenry County receives its fair share of capital investment from the Federal and State Governments in order to complete high-priority projects like the Algonquin Bypass, the Longmeadow Parkway Bridge, and a full interchange for Route 47 at I-90. I will also continue working with leaders in our adjacent counties to ensure regional solutions work for McHenry County residents. As a member of the Transportation Committee, I will continue to evaluate road construction projects to ensure money is being spent efficiently while working with residents to ensure the road work causes as little of an imposition as possible. Finally, I will continue to support our new network of public transportation options for the handicapped and seniors to ensure McHenry County services and businesses are accessible to all.
Having been involved in McHenry County since 1989, I have long worked for a positive difference in District 3. I want to bring fresh ideas and positive solutions to the McHenry County Board. I have always been very concerned about the community. I believe there are workable solutions available that will enhance fiscal responsibility. I will find ways to cut spending and stop our taxes from increasing. . My qualifications for the job are that, in addition to being an attorney, I have considerable background with county issues; I am currently an Assistant State’s Attorney in Cook County and provide enforcement of the building and zoning regulations as well as work with defending the county in every aspect of its day to day operations.
I believed that the County Board should have placed a referendum that asked the voters whether they wanted to elect the County Board Chairman. Now what you have is a referendum that changes the county government as it currently exist. This referendum is different than allowing the voters to choose a Chairman for the County Board.
The executive, as the name suggests, is in charge of the day-to-day functions of county government, not unlike the current county administrator, who is appointed rather than elected. The executive also acts as an executive branch for the county board. This will add another layer of government to McHenry County.
State law gives executives significant authority over county operations, most of which requires formal approval by the county board. The executive is not a member of the county board, and does not vote except to break ties. But like the governor, any legislation approved by the board has to be signed by the executive to take effect. The executive also can veto legislation, which would require a three-fifths majority of board members to override.
This change in government will not benefit the people of McHenry County.
I do not support the county government using taxpayer money to lobby against state legislation. We must protect property taxpayers from excessive government spending. Here’s why the Gov. vetoed millions worth of local earmarks in the state budget, despite all that lobbying power in Springfield, taking away a long list of worthy public projects.
Meanwhile, lobbying on behalf of private businesses worked out swimmingly — with millions in tax breaks this year for businesses.
With that kind of disparity, it makes you wonder why county board members bother. County taxpayers do not get much return on the public money spent on the lobbyists who are working both sides of the fence.
We should be talking directly to our representatives to achieve the goals we have not paying a middle man.
Yes I would agree to support a freeze in the county’s levy against next year. I would work to prevent the county government from grabbing as many property tax dollars as the Real Estate Tax Cap law allows just because it can. There needs to be accountability and responsibility to the tax payer, especially in times that we all have to be on a strict budget.
I believe the County needs to revise its business face. Small businesses are what make our county provide jobs and opportunities here in our communities. We need to stop over regulating to prohibit business growth. I will work with building and zoning to make sure that we are sensitive to the communities need to regulate without barring the growth of new business as well.
There are two issues, one is protection of our groundwater and the other is the infrastructure and transportation needs in the county. First, the recent drought has magnified the issues that face McHenry County and our water supply. Second, the 2040 Transportation Plan that is currently being presented to the public needs to embrace other counties to ensure regional solutions work for McHenry County residents.
I am a strong proponent for controlling taxes, encouraging job growth and protecting our environmental resources. My background and my community involvement demonstrate my commitment to these goals. I have lived and worked in McHenry County’s Third District for 21 years. In my professional life, I have established solid and productive working relationships with representatives of most county municipalities and with the representatives and county staff. As an attorney with a background in zoning, I have extensive knowledge of the county’s existing ordinances, how they affect service delivery systems, and how ordinances can be changed to improve the quality of life for McHenry County’s citizens. As a long-time public servant with service on many boards and commissions, I have always valued service to my community. With the voters support, I will promote a smaller and more fiscally sound government by controlling taxes and promoting job growth in McHenry County. You can learn more about my goals and qualifications at www.joegottemoller.com.
I am opposed to the county executive form of government. It would give one person powers that far exceed what is in place today and prevent all citizens from having equal representation on the board. Currently, the McHenry County Board Chairman is chosen internally by the 24 board members from throughout the county. Just as residents can contact their county board representatives to suggest they vote for or against any issue before them, voters can contact their county board representatives to share their opinions regarding who should be the chairman. Today, the chairman is accountable to the board and the board is accountable to the voters who elect them. The Mchenry County Board’s Chairman has very limited powers. The chairman’s vote carries no more weight than any of the other 23 board members. The majority makes decisions. If the referendum is approved the executive will decide who to hire, how to plan the budget, and whether to veto board actions. In addition, the executive will control the zoning board and other commission’s recommendations because the executive makes those appointments, too. Because I am opposed to this power grab, I am opposed to this referendum.
No, the County should not be in the position of hiring lobbyists to influence tax rate policy. With redistricting, McHenry County will soon have four Representatives and three Senators who will represent portions of McHenry County in Springfield. These Springfield leaders should be hearing from County Board members directly rather than from hired lobbyists on tax policy. However, since Cook County and Chicago always take a disproportionate share of the state’s tax revenue, there are times when McHenry County does need lobbyists working on its behalf. I favor the county’s use of lobbyists to go to Springfield and Washington, DC to fight for the return of our state and federal tax dollars to McHenry County. The County Board has the ability to direct the lobbyists and they should not have sent a lobbyist to Springfield to influence tax rate policy at the expense of the county’s citizen’s pocketbook.
Yes. The tax bill in a declining economy should not be increased. County Board members have to make some tough choices, but first and foremost they must be sensitive to how financially difficult it is for the residents who live here right now.
The County is not very business friendly. The county’s planning authority is used to stifle the creation of jobs and growth in our local economy. The winery was held up because the zoning ordinance was not designed for the modern day use of a winery. The County Board reviewed the ordinance language for months while the business owner was forced to wait it out. Another example of the county’s anti business activity can be found in the zoning ordinance under “home occupations”. The County has made most new home occupations illegal. First, a start-up/home business is prohibited from having more than one outside employee. Second, the home business must take place entirely within the dwelling part of the home. No outbuildings or even a part of the residence with a separate entrance can be used in the business. We have to change this anti-business policy. I will use my background in law and zoning to spearhead revisions to the County Zoning Ordinances that hinder new businesses.
The County Board’s 2011 decision to increase taxes at the same time property values decreased guaranteed that each homeowner paid a larger percentage of their home value to the government on this year’s tax bill. Only intense public pressure during an election year caused the Board to reconsider the decision to tax the maximum allowable amount for 2013. In 2007, most homeowners paid two percent of the value of their home for property taxes. Since home values have dropped significantly and taxes increased, each homeowner is now paying between 3 - 4% of their property value in taxes each year. To put this into perspective, the average homeowner with a thirty- year mortgage will ultimately pay more money to their local government in real estate taxes than for the principle on their own mortgage loan.
I think McHenry County needs reform. As the Jack Franks referendum to change our form of county government illustrates, the public has become fed up with the current leadership to the point where drastic measures are now on the table. This approach, however, throws out the baby with the bathwater and will leave us with a nightmare prospect of having a potential tyrant with virtually unchecked power, and will marginalize the County Board.
My qualifications for the job are that, in addition to being an attorney, I have considerable background with county issues, having served on two county commissions, Planning and Historic Preservation, and am currently an elected official with the Crystal Lake Park District Board. I have taken the lead on opposing the Franks referendum and have spoken to the full County Board with my suggestions on how they might best meet the challenge. So far they have not taken me up on any of them, one of which was that the current Board Chair announce that he will not be seeking re-election to that position.
I was the one who spoke to the County Board about the idea of placing their own referendum on the ballot to compete with the Franks referendum, prompting them to call a special meeting where the idea was rejected.
As I said to this paper during the Primary, I believe that the County Board Chair should be popularly elected, but with no more powers than currently and have those powers continue to be subject to County Board modification. The much more powerful position that would be authorized by the Franks referendum could not be modified by the Board as its sweeping powers are set by state statute, leaving no way to check a dictatorial and/or corrupt holder of that office.
In the meantime, I have suggested that Board make a number of changes in the way it does things to demonstrate that they have gotten the message and are serious about reforming themselves. More on this will be available on my website: www.WalkupElection.com.
No. The cap legislation has had the unintended consequence of allowing the rate to escalate compared with property values in a declining housing market. The Board should not be lobbying against that effort nor should they be participating in similar lobbying efforts aimed at weakening the Freedom of Information and Open Meetings Acts.
Yes. I think it is unconscionable to increase the levy while we are still in a recession, and campaigned during the Primary for just such an effort to freeze further increases.
I have been working for several years on trying to amend our antiquated zoning ordincances to allow more leeway for agriculatural oriented businesses in the county. Right now the county does not distinguish between a small roadside vegetable stand that wants to sell something not stricty grown on the same piece of property as the stand, and someone who wants to build AgriDisneyland in McHenry County.
The county is currently considering a new Unified Development Ordinance that will hopefully adress this issue amoung others, and I will be closely monitoring it as it works its way through the approval process.
I really think that the reform of the County Board and how the Chair is elected has to be the priority right now along with defeating the Franks ’County Czar’ referendum. After that, we need to focus on the new zoning ordinance changes, as well as the 2040 Transportation Plan that is now going through the public input process. In addition we face a crises currently in terms of mental health services in the county that must be addressed.
My concern about the future availability of water in McHenry County led to my decision to run for county board and thus to continue my family’s tradition of participating in civic life by holding elected office. The quantity and quality of a sustainable water supply for our region continues to be a primary concern of mine. Therefore, I find my participation in the Silver Creek/Sleepy Hollow Watershed Coalition to be one of my most satisfying activities.
From my academic training in history, I have acquired strong skills for researching and analyzing a subject. And many subjects have to be researched and analyzed by county board members in order to make an informed decision. Such skills are needed for our present and yet-unknown future issues. My other community involvement keeps me in touch with environmental concerns, local history, and available health resources for those in need in our county.
I am strongly opposed to the county executive referendum. Adopting this changes not just how the chief official of the county is elected but the very structure of county government itself. A county executive is given too much power, especially through their veto and their right to hire and fire staff. That is why I call this a trojan horse referendum and expect that switching to a county executive is just issuing an open invitation to “big money” interests to come in & control matters in the county.
There are good arguments both for and against voter election of the county board chairman but where was public comment at board meetings or the legislative committee? I recall hearing none. Board members reflect which side they agree with, Rep. Franks’ attempted change was overwhelming rejected in Springfield and he hasn’t met with the board on the matter.
There is comment now. With such feedback, the newly elected board will have until January 22, 2013, to put a referendum on the ballot for April. I would support putting such a referendum on the ballot, but how I personally would vote will be determined by the debate that should precede the election.
This is actually two questions – one is the means of using paid lobbyists, the other is the issue lobbied. I do believe that lobbyists can provide useful service to the county but monitoring is necessary. Also, this is one item where the “needs” vs. “wants” test should be applied in these times of declining revenue and increasing demands on county services. One possible alternative -- more formal, direct contact between state legislators representing the county and members of the Legislative Committee could be developed in order to have a stronger county presence in Springfield.
While the purpose of the legislation cited is certainly something to support, the devil is in the details of such bills. This particular bill would make any advance planning extremely difficult if not impossible. It did not end the mandated services the county is to provide to its residents.
What is needed is an overhaul of the heavy reliance on property tax as a revenue source for all levels of government. This is one of the important matters the General Assembly should be addressing.
No, I will not agree to support a freeze to the county’s tax levy for next year. What the obligations of the county will be next year are unknown. What the state of the economy will be next year is unknown. Just as the devil is in the details for proposed state legislation, the devil is in the details for any projected budget and its accompanying tax levy. Even one year in advance, it is not reasonable to be supporting such a future freeze for what is now unknown.
With the passage of the winery ordinance and the changes proposed for the UDO, permitting this new winery land usage will find a business-friendly atmosphere in the county. The time to get through the paper work and other requirements for zoning has hindered business development and those obstacles should be remedied. The first draft of the UDO (Unified Development Ordinance) proposes changes that will remove such obstacles. The UDO probably will not be finally approved until after the November election. If elected, I will work to see that the best UDO possible is adopted. I would consider a UDO that incorporates best management practices found in the 2030 Land Use Plan and the Water Resources Action Plan to best serve McHenry County. The board will then need to follow up on how that UDO is working in practice and make any necessary changes in a timely fashion.
A big challenge facing District 3 is improving its connectivity via road infrastructure and alternative means of transportation. There are a number of major road construction projects coming up. One example is the reconfiguration of the River Road/Dowell Road intersection. Oftentimes residents are surprised when an improvement comes. Notice of public hearings re an impending improvement could be advertised at the site for 2 weeks before by means of a temporary sign giving time and place of a hearing. This would be a cost effective way of reaching the otherwise unknown drivers affected by the proposed change.
There are some excellent bike and walking trails in the district for both recreational and commute to work/school use. But there needs to be more connection between what exists and any additional trials that are developed. Continued co-operative efforts in developing such resources among the county, municipal, state, and federal governments should be supported. Non-profit organizations and the business community should be included in such efforts also.
