McHenry County Board District 5

I am running because I believe with the experience I bring to the Board, I am uniquely qualified to bring continuity and historical perspective of the last 10 years. I truly have a desire to serve and was taught in childhood that Public Service was a noble calling. I have been a member on the Board for almost 10 years now. I am currently Chairwoman of the Planning & Development Committee and Vice-Chairwoman of the Finance and Audit Committee. I am past Chairwoman of the Management Services Committee. I have a strong working knowledge of the processes and tools to assess the needs and solutions for current issues facing the County.

I think that an Executive Form of Government is not what the citizens of this county want. Those that I speak to do not want to give more power to the Chairman but to ensure that we are evaluating the leadership that is provided and choose a Chairman. To vote for an Executive Form would set up an adversarial relationship with the Board with the Chairman having power to hire and fire and give out raises without the consent of the County Board.

I would not want lobby groups to fight against protecting taxpayer dollars. But I also get a lot of feedback that as the economy is lagging, they need assistance and want the continued services. I constantly work at balancing those two needs.

Yes, I believe we can balance the service needs, keep qualified employees, and not raise the levy for next year. We are able to do this because of the strong financial condition that the County enjoys currently.

I was very much opposed to all the hoops they had to jump through. I want us to be business friendly. It is imperative to our economic well-being. I believe with putting in the wine classification and the soon to be revised UDO, we will be much more business friendly when we can allow a variety of agritourism businesses to conduct business here.

Our returning Veterans. We need to ensure that the influx of veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan have the necessary support systems in place, including jobs, training, education, housing, social and mental health services.

My experience as a business owner provides me with a strong understanding of the importance of sound fiscal policies and responsibility. It has also taught me to make tough decisions – decisions that are based on the long-term result not the immediacy of short term success. As Chairman of the County’s Human Resource Committee, it was my ability to make these types of decisions that resulted in the institution of policies and procedures that strengthened the county’s fiscal position and improved employee morale and productivity. My ability to make these hard decisions brought me the support and respect of my constituents and elected officials even when they have not always agreed with the decision. My reputation for honesty and integrity is evidenced through my efforts on the County Board. I firmly believe in service and doing what is right even when it is not politically popular or expedient.

I think that a county executive form of government gives too much authority to one individual. The executive has the power to veto any and all legislation passed by the county board. This form of county government creates an extra layer of government adding additional costs that will be paid by the citizens of McHenry County through additional taxes. In reality it creates a county czar with the right to hire and fire employees, and appointing and dismissing people from boards and commissions. Perhaps one of the most serious consequences of the executive form of government is the executive’s ability to hire and retain his own legal counsel at taxpayer’s expense when the county is already represented by the state attorney’s office. In my opinion, this opens the door for Cook County style government in McHenry County.

McHenry County belongs to an association that uses lobbyists to not only monitor legislation but keeps the county apprised of legislation that may impact county government. I believe that McHenry County should continue to voice its support, lack of support, or take a “wait and see” position on specific agenda items. The current system of capping property taxes worked well when home values were consistently rising. I do believe that some form of legislation is needed to address property taxes in light of declining values.

Due to troubling economic times, I support the county board’s decision to not collect the inflationary tax increase allowed under state law. Only a liar or a fool would unequivocally state what he or she would do a year from now. Hindsight is always 20/20 but without a crystal ball future predictions are murky at best.

On a scale of 1 – 10, with 10 being the most business friendly, I would rate McHenry County as a 6. I would suggest that county department’s improve their explanation of the rules and regulations that are in place. As the county updates its unified development ordinance addressing zoning and development that common sense and flexibility prevail. and that common sense and flexibility prevail.

1. Groundwater Protection. The County’s groundwater study has shown that there will eventually be a deficit in the quantity and quality of the County’s groundwater. This shortage of water will reduce not only economic growth but it will also reduce our drinking water supply. The County received federal funding for this study and is currently working on a groundwater ordinance to protect our water supply. 2. Preservation of farmland and open space. As McHenry County continues to grow it is imperative that we preserve our prime farmland for its economic benefits and for its use as water recharge areas. The County is currently working on a farmland preservation ordinance that will allow farmers to sell their developmental rights and continue using the land for agriculture. The preservation of open space protects our natural wetlands and native habitats. These natural resources help to protect and improve not just the quality of our water but its quantity as well. The County’s Land First Initiative will require developers to protect environmentally sensitive areas forcing protection and conservation of our most sensitive wetlands and water recharge areas. 3. Transportation and Economic Growth. It is imperative to improve and maintain our transportation infrastructure. Without an efficient transportation system McHenry County will be unable to attract industry and commerce. McHenry County must continue to communicate and foster a spirit of cooperation between itself, business, and municipalities within its borders. In recent years, the McHenry County has worked with its various municipalities and neighboring counties in order to lobby for more federal dollars to improve our County’s infrastructure. This cooperation and regional approach has proven successful in obtaining federal dollars. 4. Assistance for Veterans. With the end of the war in Iraq and the winding down of the war in Afghanistan, returning veterans are encountering a difficulty in finding jobs because of the state of our economy. According to the Veterans Assistance Commission, there has been a substantial increase in requests for assistance. I believe that he County needs to work with organizations like Transitional Living Services and New Horizons to support the re-entry of these heroes to civilian life. We need to realize that those who served in combat may have wounds deeper than their physical injuries.

I believe that the “business-as-usual” approach to County Government can not continue. Saying “yes” to every developer that comes along may be politically expedient in the short-term, but there can be serious long-term economic and environmental consequences. Future water needs are being ignored. Food production is being under valued. Focusing exclusively on residential expansion without first expanding local employment opportunities is misguided. I am detail oriented and my education has provided me with a solid background in financial matters. I am a fiscal conservative, but am willing to consider new approaches to finances. Not being linked to an entrenched political party allows me to be more responsive to the voters’ needs. I am not afraid to ask difficult questions before arriving at a conclusion.

The State of Illinois has too many levels of Government. Illinois has more levels of Government than any other state. Our State needs to eliminate levels not add them. There is no need for a referendum on this issue. I have not heard of any desire on the part of voters to add another elected official and layer of Government.

I am against using taxpayer money for ANY type of lobbying. We should not have to buy our elected officials’ votes via lobbying. Our votes alone are enough of a lobby to protect our interests. Hiring lobbyists with taxpayer money is perpetuating a system that is already broken. It would be putting good money after bad money.

Yes, I do support an inflationary tax levy freeze, not only for next year but in perpetuity. In the private sector very little is automatic. If cost increases can not be passed on to the customer, either prices stay the same or the product has to change. In the public sector many things seem automatic such as; an inflationary tax adjustment, cost of living adjustment and consumer price index adjustment just to name a few. Few employees in the private sector automatically benefit from such increases. These public sector adjustments should only have the option to go up when the underlying basis for revenue, namely wages also increase. Personal income, however, has been going down for over a decade. Any increase in government taxes should be debated and then voted upon. Elected officials need to defend their votes to the public.

Agriculture is a sustainable economic activity in this county. We have an advantage with good soil and proximity to a large metropolitan area. I will be a friend to agriculture and work to change ordinances accordingly. I will listen to farmers.

Paying more taxes with diminishing person income is a major concern for people. I will work to lower the county budget and tax burden on residents. The County Board needs to lead by example. An opportunity to right size county government was missed with the last census update. Not only do we need to have single member districts, we also need to have fewer board members. When cuts start at the top, they become more palatable in other departments.

I am running for McHenry County Board because I feel that I can bring a background of diversity that will bring common sense solutions to problems that arise within our County Government system. McHenry County is unique in that we are a county that is increasing in population with urban development but still have wide open spaces with farming, parks, and conservation areas. Balancing them both takes a strong leader that has fiscal responsibility, integrity, and vision to balance them together. I am a Veteran of the United States Marine Corp 1982-1986 as a Rifleman. I ended my career as a Corporal with awards of Honorable Discharge, Good Conduct Medal and Meritorious Mast for a Tsunami Warning on the Island of Oahu, Hawaii. I played a prominent role in my family’s multi-million construction business. I rose within the company to job foreman and finally vice president. I worked in over 30 states and including Puerto Rico and Aruba where I gained vast experience in operations, finance and management. I currently own and operate my own small business as a Doctor of Chiropractic, Back On Track Chiropractic, in Woodstock since 2003. I value working and volunteering within our community and am a member of Marine Corp League #1009, Moose Lodge # 1329, Grace Lutheran Church, Chamber of Commerce and I support our local school districts.

I feel that having the County Board Chairmanship with EXECUTIVE POWER puts McHenry County at risk of being more like Cook County. This position will end up costing the taxpayer more money. Changing the current system in this way, could lend this important role to being one of popularity and a possible lifetime position that will never be able to have term limits. They will have the power to hire/fire department heads. Only career politicians, funded by outside resources not the people of McHenry County, would be able to compete in a Chairmanship with EXECUTIVE POWER. Example If someone helps the person get elected he/she could have their friends/family hold county positions as a kick back – where are the checks and balances with an Executive form of government? All budget matters will be made by only 1 PERSON not the 24 County Board members – who are also elected by the people. They will get to hire their own personal attorney costing the tax payers more money. This will also add just another layer of government in Illinois that is already over 6,000. How much will it cost to run a heated county wide election $200,000, $300,000, $500,000? The average person that might want to make a difference has no way of running for that position. Its an abusive that should not be in Government! I feel that three 2 yr terms would fix any problems with the County Board Chair position.

No. I don’t agree with tax payer money to be used against them for tax increases. Having lobbyist, hired by the County Board, going to the state to help increase our property taxes is NOT in the best interest of the people of McHenry County. The lobby groups that our tax payer money goes to must be on the same page. If they are not we need to find lobbyist that will be in the best interests of the citizens of McHenry County.

Yes I support a freeze on the tax levy. I also believe past budgets should have had them in these hard economic times. I think we need to start looking at ways to make our budgets work within the means we have. People are out of work, have decreased salaries, increases in gas prices, increases in food prices – the list goes on and on. We need to find creative ways to reduce the way government does business.

I will support businesses that would like to come to McHenry County and create jobs that stimulate our economy. We must be responsible to our county by following the ordinances and abide by the laws we have in place. If we need to adjust them accordingly that is our job. It is why we are elected. I believe in free enterprise as long as the laws are followed within our county. Laws should protect not only the new business but also the land around the new business. Specifically looking at the vineyard the owners stated that they were not creating any new jobs to the County. Another aspect that was not discussed in the meetings was that the owners of the vineyard stated they would be bringing in outside grapes from the county. Where would these grapes be coming from? We need to make sure that we do not bring in any indigenous species that may hurt the farmers or urban areas. Though I do support the vineyard, or any other business that may come to McHenry County, one must look at all aspects to help and be business friendly, for all businesses thrive. With my business and military background, I will bring a dedicated, detailed and timely decisions to help our old and new businesses in McHenry County.

The first and foremost thing on everyone’s mind is Taxes. The County Board has not done a good enough job for the citizens of McHenry County in trying to make cuts and instead have raised taxes and the overall budget. Though the County Board has an AAA Bond rating, they cannot continue to sell bonds and use cash to fill their budget requirements. This practice is fiscally irresponsible. We all see what happens when you kick the can down the road. A balanced budget is one that equals Expenses to Income. The County budget needs to be sustainable based on real revenue. In these economic times, revenue is difficult to project. A conservative approach to all government spending should be put into place to meet the current fiscal obligations. Also the ability for our county to continue economic progress to sustain our workforce (and their families) requires us to look at the current infrastructure and transportation plan. Businesses will not relocate to our county simply because our roads would not support them. Fiscal accountability, private and public partnerships, and community engagement are imperative to successfully altering this dilemma. It is the County Board’s responsibility to address this issue in a proactive rather than reactive manner.

I have been a volunteer community servant for 14 years as a member and as President of the District 158 Board of Education. I am running for the McHenry County Board because I want to work for the taxpayers of the County to make a positive difference in the lives of every resident. I am known for my ability to work with all types of personalities to accomplish positive results. I am also a small business owner, with operations in Huntley and Woodstock. I have experienced firsthand the struggles and difficulties of trying to keep a business afloat in a declining economy, and I am always looking for ways to save money and challenge the “that is how we have always done it” attitude. I am a proven leader, someone who listens to residents and takes the time to understand their needs. I demand accountability of employees and believe that solid policies and procedures, as well as working within balanced budgets, produce great results. I will take the time to learn and understand all of the different levels and structures currently in place. This information will allow me to make informed decisions and well-thought-out changes to the current status.

I am not in favor of changing the structure of government to an executive form. This form will take the power from the 24 elected County Board members and put it into one individual’s hand. In an executive form, the accountability of the person running the day to day operations decreases significantly. Currently the chairperson is elected by the 24 board members every two years, and their vote carries no more weight than the other 23 members’ votes. A county executive is elected to a four year term, during which they can push through a personal agenda. A county executive also has veto power, much like a governor, which means they have considerably greater control over policy decisions. A county executive can also make appointments to boards and commissions without seeking the input of other board members, which makes it quite possible for a county executive to stack a board with their political allies. I am strongly opposed to the county executive form of government. I am not opposed to a referendum that would allow the residents of McHenry County to decide if the chairperson should be elected by voters instead of from within the board.

Every unit of government should be accountable to the taxpayers it represents. The bill that was presented by Representative Franks to “protect” taxpayers in McHenry County was filled with problems that in the end would have “hurt” taxpayers. In this particular case, I believe the county board was lobbying against bad legislation, not against protections for tax payers. For example, this specific bill did not take into account taxing bodies that cross county lines. School District 158 is located in McHenry and Kane Counties and we have already experienced problems due to different assessed values by different township assessors. Each unit of government needs to be responsible and limit the amount of tax that they collect. The elected officials need to be held accountable to the people who elect them at every election. In general, paid lobbyists need to be looking out for the best interest of whom they represent. They take direction from the governing board and should work for them to do the work they are hired to perform. If they are not doing that work then they need to be replaced.

I will work toward holding the levy flat again next year. Any increase in taxes on the people of the County during these tough economic times creates a hardship for families and business owners. In my current role as President of the District 158 Board of Education, I recently led the board in the approval of a flat levy for next year so residents will not have an increase for the school portion of their tax bills. It was the right thing to do. We made this decision based on a belief that a tax increase during a declining economy is not in the best interest of the residents we serve. I believe the county board should do the same thing this year and look to do the same thing next year, especially since they have a healthy fund reserve. They recently changed their policy to increase the fund reserve from 5 months to 6 months to reflect the amount of cash on hand. This change shows that the county has the reserves to keep taxes flat.

What this couple went through was upsetting on many levels. This is one of the reasons I am running for office. The county needs to have a business friendly structure that will attract companies and encourage the growth of existing companies. These business friendly policies are especially important for McHenry County, since the county borders Wisconsin, a state that actively tries to lure Illinois businesses over the border. Illinois tax issues are a huge deterrent, but if McHenry County can be known as the location with the proper infrastructure (roads, public transportation, and utilities), zoning, and business incentives, we can keep and attract business and ultimately add jobs. It should never take a business that long to go through any process at the County level. If joint meetings need to be called to deal with several areas of county government at one time this should occur instead of requiring the couple to bounce from committee to committee. If the residents want lower taxes then the County needs to increase the commercial and industrial tax base.

I agree that jobs and the economy are absolutely the biggest challenges facing voters in McHenry County, and every decision the County Board makes in the coming years should be viewed through a lens of “how will this help to promote job creation and a better economy?”. Other issues, like public safety, roads, groundwater preservation and zoning are important, but each has a direct parallel to jobs and the economic vitality of our county. For example, safe communities, improved roads, an adequate supply of safe groundwater are all issues that are good selling points for businesses looking to relocate or expand current operations here. Again, every decision we make, whether it is regarding finances, zoning, or anything else, should have an element that helps our county’s growth in the areas of jobs and economic vitality.

Four years ago, I decided to run for McHenry County Board because I believed I could make a difference in local government. I walked door-to-door throughout the 5th District every weekend for six months. I saw the struggles of my constituents as they faced the economic volatility of the 2008 recession. I listened to their stories. I promised those voters that I would do my best to represent their interests and concerns. I’m still listening. I have a simple philosophy: be fair, be effective, and respect the taxpayers. Government works when politicians adhere to that philosophy. I served as Village Trustee in Lake in the Hills from 2001 to 2008. I began working with county issues in my second term as Trustee, when I became volunteer liaison to the county’s transportation department (MCDOT). As the current vice-chair of the transportation committee, I’ve helped improve collaboration between MCDOT, local government, and the public. My peers recently elected me Chair of the county’s Storm Water Commission; I am now leading efforts to strengthen the county’s storm water ordinance and protect our ground water. I had the honor of meeting and studying with world-renowned theorists in urban affairs during my Ph.D. program at Michigan State, and I believe that solid foundation continues to serve me well as we confront difficult local and regional challenges here in McHenry County.

I believe that concentration of power in the hands of a few well-connected politicians eventually corrodes the public trust. That’s why I voted in support of term limits for the County Board Chair, and I also voted to prohibit the Vice Chair from serving as chair of any committee of the County Board. I’m in favor of reducing the powers of the County Board Chairman, but the referendum that voters will see on the November ballot does precisely the opposite. In fact, it creates an entirely new office, with much greater powers, and promises to make county government more contentious. The professional administrator of the county would be replaced by a partisan leader with the power and motivation to replace current professional staff with political cronies. I can’t support a referendum that’s likely to make McHenry County more like Cook County, with even more nepotism and political favoritism than we have now.

I don’t support using taxpayer money for lobbying. Period. I have voted against the County Board budget for four consecutive years in part because it has included money for this activity. We already have state legislators and Congressional representatives who are supposedly elected to represent our interests in Springfield and Washington. Let them do their jobs, and hold them accountable.

I’m a fiscal conservative, and I’ve never voted for a tax increase. I won’t support a tax increase next year unless something unforeseeable and extraordinary happens.

There are a few County Board members who have been adamantly opposed to economic development in agricultural areas, even when the development complies with the 2030 plan. We should be so lucky to have the ’problems’ of Napa Valley in McHenry County. A vineyard, winery and tasting room provides a good balance of agriculture, commerce and gracious living. This seems to fit the character of rural McHenry County perfectly, and is the kind of business we need to encourage. Wineries near Galena, Illinois and in Door County, Wisconsin offer fine examples of what we might expect from a winery in McHenry County. We’ve already changed the liquor control ordinance to allow for more flexibility in tasting rooms, and in the future we need to re-evaluate the planning and development ordinances to encourage more of this kind of agribusiness.

I constantly hear home owners complain about their property taxes increasing while home values decline. For many families, and especially for seniors on fixed incomes, this is a crisis. They are trapped in homes they cannot afford because of increasing property taxes, yet they cannot sell because they are ’under water’ on their mortgages. No one who lives in McHenry County should risk losing their home due to rising property taxes. Everyone loses when a property is abandoned or foreclosed. These are personal tragedies, but they are also causing serious, long-term damage to our communities. I have opposed property tax increases, and I will continue to advocate for the property owners in my district. Government can and must find ways to deliver essential services more efficiently, slow the growth of departmental budgets, and focus investment on the infrastructure projects most likely to produce long-term tax relief for property owners. I also support the consolidation or elimination of redundant government authorities. We don’t need 7,000 units of government in Illinois.