Suzanne Hart: 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: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Will County Board District 11Age: 46Family: My husband Leo Hart is president of National Decorating, Oakbrook. We are the parents of Megan, 19, who attends Western Illinois University; Garielle, 17, a senior at Neuqua Valley High School; and Julia, 13, an eighth grader at Crone Middle School.Occupation: Account Representative for Payflex Flexible Spending AccountEducation: Southeastern Academy, Kissimmee, Fla.Civic involvement: * Will County Board Member * Forest Preserve District of Will County Commissioner * Former Naperville Park District President and Commissioner * Associate member of the Naperville Junior Woman's Club * Former member of the Naperville Junior Woman's Club's Ways and Means Committee * Former member of the Naperville Junior Woman's Club's Safety Town Committee * Wheatland Township Republican Committeeman * Wheatland Township Republican Executive Board member * Member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Naperville * Holy Spirit Catholic Church religious education instructorElected offices held: * Will County Board and Forest Preserve District of Will County * Naperville Park District: former Park District President and former Park District Commissioner * Wheatland Township Republican Precinct CommitteemanHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 I want to maintain the continued financial stability of Will County while keeping the county's portion of the property tax rate at its current low level.Key Issue 2 As a Will County Board member, I want to do anything possible to encourage the growth of area businessses and spur the creation of new jobs. That includes working closely with the Will Center for Economic Development; offering incentives to businesses planning to relocate in Will County; and providing an environment that is conducive to business growth.Key Issue 3 In Will County and Naperville, it is important to preserve and maintain open spaces and parklands for residents to use and enjoy -- it's simply a matter of quality of life. As a Forest Preserve District of Will County Commissioner, I will work to create better access and more connections for the network of hiking, biking and running trails. I also will encourage the creation of intergovernmental agreements with the Naperville Park District and the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County to expand and link trail systems throughout the area.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?During the past 16 years that I have lived in Will County, I have watched all the towns expand as people discovered a once little-known secret: it's a terrific place to live. I originally ran for office because I wanted to help guide the changes that inevitably accompany growth while making sure Will County prospered in the same way as the more established neighboring counties. Now I am running again for the exact same reasons. As the county moves forward toward a bright future, I want it to remain a great place for everyone to live and raise a family.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?As a member of the Will County Board's Public Health and Safety Committee, I have worked on new ordinances that preserve food safety at Will County's restaurants. I also supervised the ongoing renovations that have made Sunny Hill Nursing Home a more comfortable and welcoming place for residents. As a member of the Will County Board's Legislative Committee, I have made many trips to Springfield while working to prevent contaminated construction debris from being deposited in local quarries and to keep foreclosure sales from being handled by someone other than the Will County Sheriff.How can the county best manage its growth, growing diversity?Will County is a diverse area, and it is going to stay that way. When the Will County Board handled the reapportionment process in the spring and summer of 2011, maintaining that diversity was one of the most important issues. As the boundary lines for new districts were drawn, the board members worked hard to keep minority groups together so they could vote as a bloc and elect their own representatives. That is the best way to handle growth -- local leaders from minority communities should be elected to represent the interests of those residents.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?I have attended 99.9 percent of all Will County Board meetings. While in office, I have only missed one Will County Board meeting, and I often have returned early from business trips to make sure I was present.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?I will never vote for a raise for the members of the Will County Board or the Forest Preserve District of Will County, and I do not participate in the county's pension or insurance plans.