District 1 Republican McHenry County Board member Bob Nowak answers the Alliance for Land, Agriculture and Water Questionnaire below. He is the only District 1 candidate to return an ALAW questionnaire. There are four GOP candidates running for the four slots on the fall ballot.

ALAW County Board Candidates Survey: 2D12 Primary Election

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? disagree

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 disagree 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? disagree

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? Yes

3. Do you support redistributing groundwater from water -rich areas to areas that have over drawn their groundwater? n/a

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? Yes

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

4. Should the county health department report to the county board as opposed to an independent board of directors? No

5. Do you think county government should increase expenditures and the scope of its activities, which will increase taxes to its residents? No

D. Transparenc 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 ours 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 ou have voted to raise the count board members salaries? No

5. Would you have voted to increase the real estate tax levy by 1.5% thus increasing the No
amount of real estate tax collected b the count b $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)

Every Board Member is a liaison to the people and employees of the County though community events, clubs, churches, chambers, mayors and trustees.

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)

Support and enforce County laws to that provide that protection. Example, Storm Water Control Ordinances.

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 ($635,98-5. for the 2009-2012 term) to create development in the county outside of municipalities. Is this a good investment of taxpayer money? (50 words)

It’s important for Communities to grow in the County. What’s key to that growth is control, so yes the EDC plays a roll in that process. Not sure-about the dollars.

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)

I believe the road can be improved or rebuild within the same foot print as it exist today. This is not a primary thoroughfare in the County.

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)

I believe the citizens of the immediate area should be heard, the County Staff should provide facts and the Board Member should vote with the whole- County in mind.

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 I no” answers given above. (100 words)

I come to the County Board with 23 years of Village government in hand. I was the Director of Building, Planning and Zoning in the Village of Cary. I worked there to support the residents of Cary developing and changing ordinance to make-Cary a better place-to-live a raise a family. 1’m definitely for lower taxes and a strong control of the environment.