Debra Holscher: Candidate Profile

Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioKey IssuesQA Bio City: Naperville Website: http://votedeb2012.com/Office sought: Will County Board District 11Age: 55Family:1 son, 1 daughterOccupation: semi-retired investor Education: BS PsychologyMasters, Occupational Therapy Civic involvement: Co. Founder of "We the People" - Will Co., founding member of Liberty Club of Will Co., founding member of Naperville TEA Patriots, 95th Street Extension Corridor researcher, Wheatland Township Good Government watchdog.Elected offices held: None.Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: No.Candidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Irresponsible and out-of-control spending. Will County is pushing through projects without benefit of timely due diligence (homework). In some cases the original plans are10-30 yrs old i.e. the $33M 95th Street Bridge Extension Project. This is another case where the lion's share of the projects are federally funded and it is nonsensical to add to the more than $15 trillion national debt. Presently, the county is undertaking a proposed Master Plan that is projected to cost at least $450,000,000. We have paid $500K for plans that are being altered due to inadequate information and poor planning. Key Issue 2 Decreasing debt. Will County debt is at least $556M. Pension and compensation perks for part time county politicians need to be abolished. Pension rate tiers for elected officials should not be evaluated at higher rates than law enforcement and fire fighters.Key Issue 3 Restoring faith in government by re-introducing respect, insisting on responsible decision-making and demanding representative leadership. "Business as usual" politics must end. Recently, citizens were told the 95th Street Bridge Extention Project, aka "Bridge to the Drugstore" was "a done deal" and there was nothing they could do about it. The excuses proffered for staying the course, included, "that's the way government works" and "it takes time". Utter disdain was shown to the citizens of Braidwood and Dresden in discussions regarding the scrapping of one proposed project due to its proximity to the nuclear power plants. Also, county officials should not accept campaign contributions from businesses and vendors who contract with the county. Pay-to-play politics has no business in a government of, and for, the people! Questions Answers Why are you running for this office, whether for re-election or election for the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you? If so, what?This is my first foray into elected office. I entered this race with the hope of restoring faith in government of, and for the people. Our political process should be free of meaningless rhetoric, incendiary vitriole and disrespectful #8220;business-as-usual#8221; politics. The good ol' boys need to be shown the door. No more career politicians who believe bigger government is better government, telling me they know how best to spend my money and that their pet projects are a #8220;done deal#8221;! If you are an incumbent, describe your main contributions. Tell us of any important initiatives you've led. If you are a challenger, what would you bring to the board and what would your priority be?My priority will be to decrease wasteful spending through comprehensive and thoughtful due diligence (homework). We will not spend money we don't have on pet projects that cater to special interest groups or county cronies. Decrease $556M plus debt by eliminating pensions for part-time politicians, prosecuting pay-to-play campaign contributions and other practices that result in cronyism and higher costs and creating a more business-friendly environment. Resulting new businesses will impact unemployment. As a board member I will insist on accountability and transparency. No double speak and/or manipulation of words/numbers #8211; the plain, unvarnished truth. How can the county best manage its growth, growing diversity?County growth and diversity management should be handled in a respectful, fiscally responsible and equitable manner that upholds the laws of the land and preserves the rights and dignity of Will County citizens. If incumbent, are you satisied your attendance at county board/committee meetings has been adequate? Describe the rough percentage of meetings you've attended. If non-incumbent, are you aware of the incumbent's attandence record and is it adequate?Our incumbents' attendance records at board meetings are adequate. I am unaware of committee meeting attendance records.What is your stance on county board members' pay? Too high, too low, just right? Would you propose any changes' Do you think county board members should receive pensions' If not, would be willing to pledge not to take one?Salaries should be to defray costs of duties only, an accounting report, with receipts should be required. I am unable to assess appropriate compensation secondary to inadequate information regarding associated costs. #8220;No pension#8221; pledge signed. Pensions for part-time politicians are ridiculous! Health and dental insurance offered only in cases where other resources are absent.