Diane Evertsen Replies to ALAW McHenry County Board Questionnaire

Diane Evertsen took part in the Young Republicans' Candidates' Forum.

What follows are the questions and answers to the Alliance of Land, Agriculture and Water’s McHenry County Board questionnaire. Evertsen has been on the County Board for two years. She previously served on the Harvard School Board. You can find the rest here.

ALAW County Board Candidates Survey: 2012 Primary Election

Please, indicate yes/no or agree/disagree in the box to the right of the question.

A. Land Use

1. Do you agree that new development should be located where infrastructure exists, to minimize the extension of new roads, utilities and services, and protect farmland and water recharge areas? Yes

2. If elected, will you support permanent protection of agricultural land and the agricultural industry in
the County? Yes

3. Do you agree or disagree that new rural development costs more for the extension of infrastructure (roads, water, sewer and services) than it brings to the County in taxes and that those extra costs are passed on to the existing taxpayers? Yes

B. Water Resources

1. Would you oppose any land use change that would exceed a locally recharged aquifer’s capacity? Yes

2. If elected will you enforce use of the SARA – Sensitive Aquifer Recharge Areas map developed by the County Water Resources Department, as a determining factor in every land use change decision? Yes

3. Do you support redistributing groundwater from water-rich areas to areas that have over drawn their groundwater? No

4. In your opinion, will McHenry County be able to get Lake Michigan water? No

C. The Role of County Government

Diane Evertsen listening to debate at a County Board meeting.

1. Should the county provide support services to municipal governments, for example issuing and enforcing municipal building permits, administering and enforcing the Storm Water ordinance? No

2. Do you support a county housing program where the county purchases, constructs, remodels, rents, sells homes throughout the county and in municipalities? No

3. Do you support a county bus program, where the county takes over responsibility for established service between select cities and townships? No

4. Should the county health department report to the county board as opposed to an independent board of directors? Yes

5. Do you think county government should increase expenditures and the scope of its activities, which will increase taxes to its residents? No

D. Transparency and Commitment

1. County board records indicate that the average number of meetings necessary for attendance by a County Board Member is 8. This includes two full board meetings a month and two meetings a month for each committee (generally three) the member is assigned. Are you able and willing to make the commitment to represent your constituents to this extent? Yes

2. During the last primary election 32 candidates for county offices voluntarily filled out the ALAW initiated Statement of Economic Interests BEFORE the election. This form is now required once you are elected, but we need to know before we elect you. Will you follow suit and file yours with us now? (Form attached with mailing instructions.) Yes

3. Do you agree that all scheduled county meeting agendas and minutes, including committee and sub-committees, should be posted on the County web site? Yes

4. Would you have voted to raise the county board members salaries? No

5. Would you have voted to increase the real estate tax levy by 1.5% thus increasing the amount of real estate tax collected by the county by $1.1 ml.? No

E. Short Answer. Only the number of words indicated will be published in the response report. (please add a page if you need more room, but remember that we can only print the number of words indicated and reserve the right to edit your response for that reason. Thank you.)

When she ran for office two years ago, Diane Evertsen held Meet and Greets in the major towns of District 6. She has one this year Monday night from 5-8 at the GloBowl on Route 20 in Marengo.

1. If you are elected to serve the residents of McHenry County, what external state and local agencies do you think are important for the county to liaison with and how would you make sure that information is flowing both ways with that agency? If you are currently serving and are an appointed liaison, please tell us what agency you are assigned and how you accomplish effective two-way communication. (50 words)

Face-to-face meetings with State and Federal Reps and Senators, as well as farmland, conservation and water preservation organizations, all of whom have a wealth of information available and usable to us. I’d promote video recording these meetings & posting on the County site to give anyone access at any time.

2. By protecting agricultural lands and soil resources, groundwater and its natural recharge can also be protected. What will you do to provide that protection? (50 words)

Board Members must first comprehend these protections allow all of us to benefit through adequate fresh water supplies. An educational process is needed to address the fact that additional development of rooftops is no economic boon if water becomes unavailable to service not only new homes, but also pre-existing developments.

Diane Evertsen supporters take place in Marengo's Settlers Days Parade.

3. Most municipalities in the county have their own economic development commissions or committees. Economic development has to occur where there is existing infrastructure. The county funds the private McHenry County Economic Development Corporation ($635,985. for the 2009-2012 term) to create development in the county outside of municipalities. Is this a good investment of taxpayer money? (50 words)

I don’t see it as a good investment of taxpayer dollars. Municipalities, of course, have a viable reason to employ economic development corporations; I don’t see this expense as necessary or advantageous to rural McHenry County residents.

4. Do you think Fleming Road, Alden Road and other county roads that do not serve highly developed commercial areas, need to be widened and “improved” at this time? (50 words)

Appreciation of our assets leads me to believe our rural roads enhance our lives in ways 4-lane freeways never will. I will continue to promote the advantages of properly built rural roads to maintain the character of the area.

5. What weight should you as a county board member give the opinions of citizens affected by zoning decisions, special use permits and road projects? (50 words)

Input from the citizens should be of paramount importance on these issues. The impact of any of these types of decisions falls directly and most heavily on citizens in close proximity and is felt not only in an immediate financial way, but also in current and future quality of life.

6. What in your background qualifies you to serve the public as a county board representative and what do you intend to accomplish if elected to the County Board. You may also use this space to provide additional information regarding any of the “yes / no” answers given above. (100 words)

Understanding that public service is, in fact, service to the public, my priority continues to be addressing the credibility void which exists between Board and constituency. I accept no campaign contributions,
therefore am beholden to no one and can continue to vote against programs and policies which will result in higher taxes and/or increase in the size and scope of government. I will continue to listen closely and offer honest dialogue to members of my constituency, working with them to solve problems and encourage them to write, phone or email me at their convenience.


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