Charles Maher: 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: NapervilleWebsite: http://www.hart -- Maher.comOffice sought: Will County Board District 11Age: 54Family: Wife: Sarah Maher Daughters: Heather, Holly, Kellie, Noelle Sons In-Law: Justin Olson (Heather), Kevin Wilmsen (Holly) Grandchildren: Tristin Skyler (Heather's twins)Occupation: Business Owner and Educational Consultant. Career progression: a classroom teacher, a transition coordinator, a clinical director, a high school principal. Currently work in higher ed setting up student performance assessmentsEducation: * B.S. in Special Education from Western Illinois University * Certificate for Work Study Coordinator from NIU * Masters of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling and Psychology, Illinois Institute of Tech * Certificate - Family Therapy U of I CircleCivic involvement: * Naperville Development Partnership * Naperville Chamber of Commerce * Bolingbrook Chamber of Commerce * Kidz Kabaret Board of Directors * West Suburban Irish (Past President and member) * Knights of Columbus * Wheatland Township Republican Organization * NYFL - Squad Parent for In-house cheer - (1st father to serve as a NYFL cheerleading squad parent) * PTA and PTSA in District 204 (Past legislative and Bylaw chair for Neuqua Valley) * Wheatland Basketball coach * Wheelchair Basketball coach and referee * Liturgy Panning Committee - St. Raphael Church * CRHP - St. Raphael Church * Religious Education Teacher - St. Raphael Church * Girl scouts assisting troop leaders on various outings and camping events. Chaperoned 8th grade trip to Colorado * Ribfest Volunteer * Little Friends Volunteer * Annual Volunteer for Jr. Exchange Club Holiday Dinner for the Breaking Free Organization * Past President of the Illinois Rehabilitation AssociationElected offices held: Will County Board Member Will County Forest Preserve Commissioner President of Illinois Rehabilitation Counseling Association Chairman of the Professional Counselor Licensing Board President of Grassroots Committee of DuPage County Board Member of Counselor Licensing Task-force President of West Suburban Irish Wheatland Township Precinct CommitteemanHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: noCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Maintain a strict control on spending, taxes and open government. Over the last nine years I've helped stop tax increases, voted for holding or lowering the tax rate, and worked on creating policies that provide more access to the voters on how our local government spends its tax dollars. If elected, I will continue to work on reviewing and updating our policies to maintain the progress that we've made. Elected officials need to remember "There are many government bodies but only "One Body of Tax Payers!"Key Issue 2 Continue to create policies that support an environment for job creation and growth. Over the last nine years our board has worked closely with the Council for Economic Development of will County to establish policies and make decisions that would create an environment that businesses can flourish in. With all the restrictions and taxes that the state of Illinois has placed upon businesses, local government have to do more to not only keep but lure businesses to our area.Key Issue 3 Continue to support and preserve open space. As a Will County Forest Preserve Commissioner, and Chair of Operations, I understand the need for open space. Will County, before the economic crisis, was one of the fastest growing counties in the country. It was our responsibility to research, locate, acquire, and develop precious land that was quickly disappearing. In Naperville for example, we were able to acquire property for the Whalon Lake project and the Riverview Farmstead project. If elected, I will continue to support our open space development.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?I first ran for the County Board with a passion to become involved in our local government, to do my best to improve the ways and means we invest our tax dollars.That passion within me is still there.I will work to continue serving until I feel I have completed my contribution to our community.Through my experiences, I have learned there are many issues that emerge as important matters to tackle in our local government.I strongly believe a well rounded official that is interested in many issues best serves in office.From property taxes to infrastructure development to reductions in spending, we have many challenges to face in County government. Motivating me through these and more issues is the fundamental principal that we must remain conservative in our taxation and spending.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?During my tenure of service to the citizens of Will County, I have spearheaded several initiatives. The first was as chairman of the Energy and Utility Resource Committee. In that role I was able to bring local communities and utility companies together and avoid costly lawsuits our tax payers would have shouldered. Also in that role I began the research and discussion about capturing methane gas from our landfills, creating energy, and selling that energy to provide income for the County. By all means, this was a team effort, but it was rewarding to know our Energy and Utility Resource Committee started the discussion.As chairman of Capital Improvements I spearheaded our current initiative for a comprehensive capital assessment. This was the first comprehensive assessment done by the County. Previous assessments were done not looking at the County as a whole but on specific areas such as the judicial system.The current assessment has uncovered duplications of services, infrastructure deficiencies, and help lay out a plan that can be referred to for the next 50 years. In that process we also created a mission and vision statement for the County, the first one in 150 years. As a Will County Forest Preserve Commissioner I participated in the vision, creation and implementation of Whalon Lake and the dog park at the lake, as well as the Riverview Farmstead Preserve. These projects will provide endless hours of enjoyment for the residents of Naperville and Will County.How can the county best manage its growth, growing diversity?During my first few years elected to the Board, Will County ranked as one of the fastest-growing counties in the country. The policies that we set, the budget negotiations and spending controls we worked on have kept our direct dept per capita to a little over $3. Compare that to Cook County which is over $600. We have also not had to lay off any workers during the last few years of the financial crisis our country has experienced.I believe these two examples are pretty good indicators of how good policies can manage growth. As a former high school principal whose student population was very diverse, I look at diversity not as an issue of how we are different, but what we have in common. If you ask anyone, African-American, Hispanic, Asian, Caucasian, poor, rich, male or female, what makes a good community. I think you would find that some of the main points would be good jobs, good schools, safe place to raise their children and even opportunities to worship God the way their community sees fit. These are common attributes that make up a healthy community. I think Will County has these attributes and I will continue to work on policies that help the citizens of Will County achieve these goals.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 attandance record and is it adequate?As a Board Member, we have the opportunity to attend numerous meetings and are often challenged by conflicting schedules.Most importantly, I am satisfied by the work our Committees have produced rather than the number of times we have met.From a new initiative to capture methane gas and convert it to energy to leading a comprehensive capital assessment to working with a team to stop several property tax increases, I am satisfied with our work product and the results.Over my tenure I have participated in hundreds of meetings, during regular business hours and after. Chairing and being vice chair of County committees requires a lot of outside time for preparation, staff meetings, phone conferences, and the reading of required materials. For example, we had 21 proposals from various companies throughout the country for our capital improvement assessment plan. Each one of those proposals had to be read, analyzed, and evaluated for merit to move to the next level. When meetings are missed, there is always an opportunity to provide comments and feedback so that the right policies and decisions are being met. I will continue to be a very active participant on the Board.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?Through conservative leadership by the Will County Board, our County property taxes have been kept in check, unlike many neighboring local governments.We have kept our debt to a minimum, maintained a balanced budget and are not in a position where services or our workforce must be reduced.We have managed our resources conservatively as the result of the strong culture our Board has to only spend what can be afforded.As part of that culture, Will County Board Members are paid less than all other county board members with our population or greater in the collar counties.I believe that is appropriate, and I would not support or accept a pay increase for our Board Members.Pension reform is an issue that must be faced at all levels of government in our country, including Will County.Fortunately, Will County can afford its pension obligations and is not in the dire position we see the State, Cook County and other governments facing today.However, I would strongly support a new system for all County employees, including Board Members, that moves beyond traditional pensions and much closer to what is practiced in the private sector.