What follows are Algonquin Township Highway Commissioner candidates Danijela Sandberg’s and Robert Bragg’s answers to the McHenry County League of Women Voters’ questionnaire.

Both are posted with the candidates’ permission:

Algonquin Township Highway Commissioner

Danijela Sandberg

Why are you running to be Highway Commissioner?  What qualifications and/or experiences do you have to handle this department?

I thank you for kindly allowing me to provide the League of Women Voter’s information about my campaign.

I feel there is an obvious void for a leader who understands the nature of public service and can deliver vital services within their operating budget. 

I have a strong track record of visible stewardship. I am a proactive person by nature and interested in resolving conflicts, a multi-tasker, who is passionate and motivated to build consensus within the department.  

I prioritize work relationships above all, and uniquely understand the demands, the priorities and issues that face the Township. 

I am an excellent communicator, and action-oriented leader. 

I lead by example, respecting policy differences and am an active listener which is important in resolving disputes.  

I utilize a hands-on approach to everything, and would run the Road District with a detail-oriented emphasis to problem solving, as Highway Commissioner.

My approach simply is hands on and I currently run the Road District with a detail-oriented emphasis on problem solving as the Administrator.

What have you done to learn the expectations and requirements of the job?  Do you see your job as administrative or hands on? 

Currently, I am the only candidate that is a voluntary certified Highway Commissioner through the Townships of Illinois. 

As Administrator of the Algonquin Township Road District for over two years, I have had the unique and fortunate opportunity to “learn on the job”.  

In my role as Administrator, I work on budgets, project management, fleet management, scheduling and intergovernmental agreements. 

In addition to over 80 hours of continuing education, I have taken classes on pavement management and preservation, I am a certified flagger and I have actively assisted the road crew, shoveling asphalt and flagging when other staff members were not available.

I am well-versed in the Illinois Highway Code, Township Code, state statutes and the bid process.  

I believe the job is a careful balance of both administrative and hands-on responsibilities and I enjoy seeing the results of these processes unfold and provide taxpayer services as they were envisioned. 

What is your vision for the future of the Algonquin Highway Department?  Should the Department be consolidated into the Township or the County?  

Consolidation will not preserve the quality or quantity of services that this community deserves. 

As far as services, I would like to expand and streamline available services because the Algonquin Township Highway Department needs to be a reflection of the constituents it serves. 

What is your experience preparing budgets, supervising employees, and dealing with unions?  How would you take action to promote a more cooperative work environment and avoid the costly litigation of the previous Commissioner?   

I have renewed relationships with the Townships of Illinois and the current president of Township Highway Commissioners of Illinois.  

Developing positive and enduring relationships between townships will be my goal.  

I can and will foster positive relations with the union, I am repairing those relations as we speak.  

I would increase the communication conduit among staff and foster morale.

With respect to contracts, I would review and discuss them among my peers to avoid overcommitting taxpayer dollars. 

The key to avoiding potential lawsuits is communication.  

I will keep the lines of communication open and consult with legal counsel, when necessary, to make sure to avoid litigation whenever possible.  

I want to avoid the stigma of protracted litigation and wasted taxpayer dollars. 

I will improve the negative image attached to the office and restore and replace bad press and negative public relations with positive ones. 

Additionally, I would strive to improve the Highway Commissioner’s accessibility, offering greater resident platforms such as in-person public events, an invitation to monthly meetings and add more social media options to reach the Highway Commissioner. 

Finally, I would restore the “Touch a Truck” program to bring back in-person relationships with the public. 

Townships have acquired a great deal of specialized equipment.  Would you work with other Townships or Municipalities to share equipment or provide services?

Most people aren’t familiar with IGA, an inter-governmental agreement which allows for sharing of equipment or to provide services between two government entities.  

Intergovernmental agreements are vital to all government bodies.

Just recently, I worked on a IGA with a local entity to provide salt storage for this winter.

Over the last two years, I have restored better working relationships with Illinois Department of Transportation and McHenry County Department of Transportation.

Simply stated, if elected, I would use these agreements wherever possible to facilitate services and save our residents money! 

Robert Bragg

Why are you running to be Highway Commissioner? What qualifications and/or experiences do you have to handle this department?

I’m Running for Highway Commissioner to bring respect, dignity, and normalcy to the office of Algonquin Township Road District.

I have over 30+ years of experience in Construction, Business Management including road work, sewer and water installation, snow plowing and human resources.

I hold a current CDL, with heavy equipment knowledge, Back hoe, front end loader, asphalt paver, skid-steer.

What have you done to learn the expectations and requirements of the job?

Do you see your job as administrative or hands on? I’ve researched the qualifications of the highway commissioner in the Illinois State Statues of Highway Commissioners and the General Administration duties of Highway Commissioners of Illinois along with my extensive work experience.

I will be preforming both administrative and hands-on duties.

What is your vision for the future of the Algonquin Highway Department? Should the Department be consolidated into the Township or the County? To perform as expected of a taxing body. While bringing respect, normalcy to the office of Algonquin Township Highway Department.

No-The Algonquin Township Highway department brings valued benefits to the residents of Algonquin Township.

What is your experience preparing budgets, supervising employees, and dealing with unions? How would you take action to promote a more cooperative work environment and avoid the costly litigation of the previous Commissioner?

My comprehensive work experience will serve well in performing the duties of the office of Algonquin Township Road Commissioner.

I believe I’m skillful at building a strong team, while improving morale, strong contract negotiations skills will be beneficial moving forward.

A leader should inspire.

Townships have acquired a great deal of specialized equipment. Would you work with other Townships or Municipalities to share equipment or provide services?

Absolutely, by working together with other governmental agency’s it’s beneficial to all taxing bodies.

Tax payers win when everyone works together.