More McHenry County Blog

Next incumbents are asked what has been their main contribution. Non-incumbents are asked to predict theirs.

Then, there is the road question:

For years, state and federal authorities have said the county needs some cohesion to obtain transportation funding. It appears the county has some cohesion, but still lacks funding for big projects. What do you view as the priority transportation projects for the county? A bridge across the Fox River? Is so, where? A full interchange at Huntley? If elected, where would you focus your efforts in terms of addressing transportation needs?

Next, the Daily Herald asks about

“the greatest challenge McHenry County faces.” “Be specific and please detail what you feel the county must do to address the issue.”

Animals always make for good readership, so question 5 asks the candidate’s opinion about

turning over “some or all of its animal control division to a private animal welfare agency.”

The editorial writers want to know about monitoring and evaluation as well.

On to the issue of developers playing off the county against the municipalities. The paper notes that these are considered “end-runs” by municipalities. The questions:

Should the county change its approach toward development to deter such behaviors?
If so, what approach would your recommend?

Who can forget the “Don’t we have enough starter castles?” comment that county board member Virginia Peschke made about the Ridgefield Flowerwood development that the man who beat her for county board chairman—Ken Koehler—made? Koehler, a part owner of Flowerwood, abstained on the vote.

The Daily Herald also asks about the contentious proposed 2020 plan.

Did you like the “lengthy process?” “Why or why not? If not, should the county start” all over?

With no prospect of ever getting water anywhere but from wells or the Fox River, the Daily Herald asks,

What specific steps do you think the county should take to protect the county’s water supply?

Reflecting on its multi-county press coverage, the Daily Herald asks about

making public “more documents and information” available for free on-line. If a candidate favors this, “how would you propose such improvements be funded?

Of course, the more information available over the internet, the easier it is for media and citizens to figure out what is going on at the courthouse.

The Daily Herald’s final question talks about “the burdens of public leadership” being great, “especially in a fast-growing region facing many stresses.”

What specific skills, education or experiences qualify for this role?
What do you see as the primary duties of a county board member?
In what areas of county responsibility do you have a particular interest?

Oh, yes. This questionnaire was due the 23rd, so you are late.