I am sure like the other candidates, we are starting to get many groups sending us many questionnaires. Many gave us short time frames to get them completed,  limited our answers to "Yes or "No", or gave us a limit on the number of words we could use. I am going to be converting them all to word documents and adding them to this blog thread as I finish converting them. I will have the exact wording from them with the exact answer I gave them, and then the reason why I gave that answer. I want everyone to know just how I stand before you see some edited version of my answers.

The first one I received was from the "Attainable Housing Alliance". They did not limit the answers but I still feel I need to explain my answers since it was the very first one I filled out.

1. Have you ever held elected office?

Answer: No

2. Why are you seeking public office?

Answer: To make McHenry County Government for the people by the people and to see that our tax money is used to bring the most to the people.

Reason:  Our current government is run by the Republicans who look out for the wealthy and big business and not the people who vote them into office and pay the biggest part of the taxes.

3. If elected, what are your top priorities?

Answer:  Spending reform, new income for the county without raising property or sales taxes, and a better road system to help people and bring in new business.

Reason:  We need to review how our elected officials are spending our tax money, reform the rules on what is a true government expense and what is not. We need to find other ways to bring in money to the county instead of expecting the working people of the county to keep paying higher taxes. We need a road system that helps make it easier and faster to get to where you are going. We need to make bypasses around congested areas to help save gas and time. With a road system that helps move people and goods faster, we can attract business to the county bringing jobs, income, and new tax money to the county helping bring down the taxes on the working people.

4. Who are your key campaign supporters?

Answer: Family and friends.

Reason:  I’m a regular working person with a regular 8 to 5 job. I have no ties to any business outside of the business I work for which is in Elgin.

5. Do you agree that home building is one of the main economic engines of our county and that access to affordable housing should be a main goal?

Answer:  Yes and local, villages, towns, and cities should stop requiring builders to only build large homes with big price tags to increase their tax incomes.

Reason:  We are building homes that no one can afford in the county just so the local governments can get high property tax income. We have a problem with jobs in the county that can support the high priced homes which means we have to go outside the county for jobs that let us afford the high priced homes. That causes big problems with our roads due to the fact that they are not made for large traffic volumes. We have extra repairs along with big grid lock issues.

6. The housing economy is experiencing a dramatic downturn both locally and nationally. Not only does this impact home builders, but also the suppliers, service, workers and others who depend on the housing industry for their jobs or businesses. What will you do if elected, to help the housing market in your area?

Answer: Help push for housing projects that have lower price tags that will let more people be able to afford a home.

Reason:  I believe that if we build homes that we can build on to as our needs grow, we can bring in more jobs to the building industry as we expand our homes. I believe we should have lot sizes that let you be able to add an addition on later. Unfinished basements we can finish either on our own and help the building supply industry or have done by contractors at a later time bringing in more jobs especially during the winter months when our contractors can not work outside and are looking for work. This would also help bring unemployment down during the off season.

7. What is your vision for your District’s growth? If you anticipate future growth in your District, how do you anticipate addressing the development necessary to support that growth?

Answer:  I think we need to improve our roads and transportation system to bring both people to live here and for business to get their workers and goods in and out of the area.

Reason:  Right now we are expanding the housing market in our area without thinking about the extra traffic it is causing to our road system. We need to improve our roads to attract both workers and businesses that will help bring down the distance the workers have to travel to get to and from work. It will help save gas, get the people and goods to and from faster, and most important, let people spend more time with their families since they can get to and from work faster.

8. The median sale price of a new home in the Chicago land area currently is $325,041 which would require an estimated income of at least $93,000 to support an 80% mortgage when considering property taxes and insurance costs. The average income for the region however is only $67,900. What methods do you propose, or support for providing more attainable housing in your region? (choose as many as applicable)

a.)    Mandatory builder set asides for affordable units

b.)    Fee-in-lieu of set aside to a trust fund for affordable units

c.)    Amend existing building and design codes to lessen capital costs

d.)    Offer financial support on land acquisition costs

e.)    Waive existing permit and impact fees on new developments

f.)      Other

Answer: D & F Find ways to lower the cost of building-such as designing homes that can be added on as the family needs more space.

Reason:  We need to stop building big high priced homes that no one in the county can afford just to get the high property taxes. We need to stop thinking about the big business interests and start thinking about the working people. People need to a have a stake in the community by being able to afford a home of their own where they can take pride in their community. If we amend existing building and design codes, give financial support on land costs, or waive impact fees, we are supporting the big business interests and not those of the people. Whenever we cut costs for business, their profits go up and the people are still paying the same prices. Just look at any industry we have deregulated and see what their CEO’s are now making compared to what they made before the deregulation. As for waiving permit fees. No way. The permits keep track of what is being done in the community and help pay for the inspectors that make sure we are getting a home that is safe by meeting the building codes. We don’t need another China type situation.

9. In recent years there has been a push to mandate the installation of residential fire sprinkler systems. Advocates of the mandate say sprinklers save lives. Opponents say there are more affordable life safety alternatives that do not cost $10,000 or more per house. If such a mandate were proposed, which of the following would you support:

(choose one)

a.)    Mandate the installation of fire sprinklers in all residential units.

b.)    Mandate the installation of fire sprinklers in all residential units excluding detached single family homes.

c.)    Require that builders offer sprinklers as an option, but allow the home buyer to make the final decision.

d.)    Reject any mandate

e.)    Other

Answer:  B

Reason:  First I believe sprinklers do save life but they can also cause extra property damage needlessly. I believe that all systems should be a zoned system that only goes off in the area of the fire and not trip the whole system. I also would have circled “C” because I feel everyone should have the choice to have the sprinklers or not as they wish for their own stand alone home.

10. Impact and other fees charged by local government are generally included in sale price of a new home. Any increase in fees raises the cost of a newly constructed home. Do you support the use of impact fees on new developments? (choose one)

a.)    Support impact fees for capital and operational expenses.

b.)    Support impact fees for only capital expenses that are uniquely and specifically attributable to the new development.

c.)    Other

Answer: B

Reason:  As much as our county and local governments need the extra income, it is not fair to charge for things that can not be directly shown to come from the project.

11. Describe your voting record (if any) on issues related to the development and home building industries.

Answer:  I am a general contractor and carpenter contractor’s son; I’ve watched my Father’s plans for affordable housing projects be turned down by city officials because they wouldn't’t bring in the tax money they wanted. I feel we need to promote “Starter” homes that can be added to as needed bringing in more work for builders, trade persons, permit fees to the city and increased taxes.

12. What is your campaign fund raising goal?

Answer: $5,000.00

13. What is the current balance of your campaign account?

Answer:  $350.00 ($110.00 in the account from fund raising, balance spent on campaign expenses from personal funds.)