You read what the Woodstock Independent, the Northwest Herald and the Daily Herald want to know about and from candidates. Here’s what the Alliance for Land, Agriculture and Water are interested in learning about those running for the McHenry County Board:
ALAW County Board Candidates Survey: 2010 Primary Election
Please, indicate yes or no in the box to the right of the question.
A. Land Use
1. Have you personally attended any of the Regional Planning Commission meetings or subcommittee meetings on the 2030 Comprehensive Land Use Plan?
2. Have you read the proposed 2030 Land Use Plan?
3. Do you think the makeup of the 2030 Regional Planning Commission was a balanced representation of the residents of the county?
4. 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?
5. If elected, will you support funding permanent protection of agricultural land and the agricultural industry in the County?
6. Do you understand 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?
7. Do you support creation of the Hac-Ma-Tac National Wildlife Refuge in the county?
B. Water Resources
1. Would you oppose any land use change that would exceed a locally recharged aquifer’s capacity?
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?
3. Do you support redistributing groundwater from water-rich areas to areas that have over drawn their groundwater?
4. Do you think that McHenry County will be able to get water from Lake Michigan?
C. Transparency in Government
1. Would you support a requirement that all elected or appointed county officials make up-front disclosures of any financial or other interest in any real property in the County?
2. Do you support a requirement that all elected or appointed county officials make up-front disclosures of their interest in any business entity doing business with the county?
3. Do you believe that public officials should disclose whether they provide professional services to any unit of government to which they are elected or appointed?
4. Do you agree that all scheduled meetings agendas and minutes, including committee and sub-committee, should be posted on the County web site?
5. Do you agree that all McHenry County Board meetings should be video recorded and posted on the County web site?
D. 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. Thank you.)
1. What role do you think the County should play in planning for growth? (50 words)
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)
3. What does the County get from its annual contract with the McHenry County Economic Development Corporation and is it a good investment of taxpayer money? (50 words)
4. Who do you consider to be your constituents and how do you intend to communicate with them to ensure your positions honestly represent them? (50 words)
5. Please provide a personal statement about what you intend to accomplish, if elected to the County Board, and/or provide additional information regarding any of the “ / no” yes answers given above. (100 words)
Answers are due January 11th.