McHenry County Blog

Eight of the nine candidates for the McHenry County Board showed up to face a small fraction of the public at the MCC auditorium Monday night.

From left to right are Scott Alford, Chris Jenner, Carol Larson, Erik Sivertsen, Mike Smith, Molly Walsh, Arne Waltmire and Tom Wilbeck.

There were

• Scott Alford
• Chris Jenner
• Carol Larson
• Erik Sivertsen
• Mike Smith
• Molly Walsh
• Arne Waltmire
• Tom Wilbeck

Missing was long-time incumbent Barbara Walters.

From left to right are Scott Alford, Chris Jenner, Carol Larson, Erik Sivertsen, Mike Smith, Molly Walsh, Arne Waltmire and Tom Wilbeck.

There was really only one question I wanted answered and that was whether the candidates would borrow tens of millions of dollars without asking permission in a referendum.

There was good news. All but incumbent Larson seems to say they would not. And, of course, there was no answer from Walters.

Here’s what was said in answer to a question asking whether they would favor such a referendum:

• Alford – “The taxpayers need to make the decision.”
• Jenner – “I would require the permission of taxpayers to raise taxes.
• Larson – “I would not be for a referendum now. Referendums are expensive and they don’t usually pass.”
• Sivertsen – I think it’s important [to hold a referendum] before the college issues bonds.”
• Smith – “I would.”
• Walsh – “Yes, any expansion plan should be community supported.”
• Waltmire – “If there’s a need to build, the Board should take [it} out to the community.”
• Wilbeck – “Absolutely. 61% comes from the taxpayers. The use of alternative revenue bonds is not really a good funding source.”