These are the answers given by District 6 candidate David LeGue to the Alliance for Land, Agriculture and WaterMcHenry County Board Questionnaire:

ALAW County Board Candidates Survey: 2012 Primary Election

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? No answer

B. Water Resources

1. Would you oppose any land use change that would exceed a locally recharged aquifer’s capacity? No answer.

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? No answer.

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

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

C. The Role of County Government

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 answer

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 answer

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 answer

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.)

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)

There are numerous external state and local agencies with which the County should liaison. Two of the most prominent are the Illinois Department of Transportation and METRA. The exchange of information between the County and these entities must be based on trust and mutually beneficial interest.

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)

Protection may be achieved by adhering to the County’s 2030 Land Use Plan, restraining new residential development in the unincorporated portions of the County, encouraging redevelopment within municipal boundaries and seeking a funding source for the County’s established Agricultural Conservation Easement Program.

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)

The funding of a private economic development corporation should be contingent upon its synergy with the County’s Land Use and Strategic Plan. The accomplishments of the corporation must be evaluated and numerically measured to facilitate an estimate of the County’s return on investment.

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)

No! County roads should be repaired and maintained in their original footprint. Widening and “improving” rural roads is expensive, disruptive and a poor use of citizens tax dollars.

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)

The opinions of affected citizens should always be seriously considered and evaluated based upon the logic of their positions. These positions must then be compared to the overall impact of the zoning change or project on the community as a whole.

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)

I am a farmer and have an understanding of the integral relationship between agriculture, groundwater recharge and land use within the county. Over the past 25 years I have volunteered as a director of the McHenry County Soil and Water Conservation District, served as a Marengo Township Planning Commissioner and was appointed a trustee and elected president of the McHenry County Conservation District. While volunteering in these positions I have demonstrated an ability to work with others with a focus on overall community benefit.

Some questions could not be answered with a yes/no answer.

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LeGue’s campaign literature is below: