Mary Alger Answers ALAW’s Questionaire

Here  are the answers from District 3 McHenry County Board candidate Mary Alger to the questionnaire from the Alliance for Land, Agriculture and Water:

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?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am for private property rights. It is not the right or the responsibility of government to decide for a land owner how he may use his property within its zoned purpose.
2. If elected, will you support permanent protection of agricultural land and the agricultural industry in the County? Not if it infringes on the landowner’s property rights.
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? It may not be the case for a county business.

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? I would consider the use of SARA in the decision.
3. Do you support redistributing groundwater from water-rich areas to areas that have over drawn their groundwater? No “redistribution” of anything
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? Not if it creates another layer of regulation.
2. Do you support a county housing program where the county purchases, constructs, remodels, rents, sells homes throughout the county and in municipalities? No. It is the job of Free Market to do this.
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.)

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)

1. McHenry County Economic Development as a local agency and I cannot think of a state agency I’d want to work with. Illinois is broke and broken. We do not need to export that into our county especially when those partnerships come with financial or regulatory string attached.

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)

I would suggest a way to work out a favorable solution for the land owners making it attractive and advantageous for them to protect the groundwater. I would never vote to seize property or deem it unusable via onerous zoning restrictions.

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)

No this budget would have to be cut. A cost/benefit analysis would need to be conducted.

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.

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)

Very high weight, I would always side for the citizen over the expansion of government encroachment.

 

Mary Alger

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)

Government was set up for citizens to serve. I am a citizen who offers myself as a citizen servant. Government in general has become too big and too arrogant legislating against the will of the people. In general government has also become “big brother.” I am for limiting the size and scope of government that’s why I’m the Crystal Lake TEA Party coordinator.

My intended accomplishment is to look at the county ordinances that hinder, encumber and stifle business growth and individual liberty and get them rescinded. I am running to put the brakes on spending, the expansion of government, and attacks on personal liberty.

Thank you,

Mary Alger


Comments

Mary Alger Answers ALAW’s Questionaire — 2 Comments

  1. Just read your ALAW replies, Mary, and can’t wait to vote for you.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *