Sue Draffkorn: 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: Wonder LakeWebsite: http://www.suedraffkorn.orgOffice sought: McHenry County board District 4Age: 55Family: Married, two childrenOccupation: BookkeeperEducation: Bachelor of Science in Marketing, Northern Illinois University, 1978Civic involvement: Past co-president of Music Boosters at Marian Central Marian Central Father's Club Bingo volunteer 2006-09 Salvation Army volunteer 2006-07 Secretary for two homeowners association in Wonder Lake 1999-11 Delegate for Master Property Owners Association in Wonder Lake 2007-2011 Parishioner at The Church of Holy Apostles/McHenry Religious education teacher for 10 years Altar Server Ministry Chair Eucharistic Minister Three + gallon blood donorElected offices held: McHenry Township Committeewoman 2003 to present McHenry County Board Member 2002 to presentHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Keeping a balanced budget during the current economic climate.Key Issue 2 Groundwater protectionKey Issue 3 Protecting open lands and agriculturalQuestions Answers McHenry County has managed the recession without a budgetary crisis like those in other counties. How do you ensure the county continues on that path and that reserves aren't depleted? Are there specific budget areas that need more attention?As my job as a bookkeeper I realize how important it is to create a balanced budget. The past budgeting policies have served McHenry County well. Withdrawing money out of our reserves to balance the budget is not a direction McHenry County should embark upon. I believe that going forward, various departments need to reduce expenses.Does the McHenry County Board have a good transportation improvement plan? Please be specific and suggest whether you think anything is missing or should be scrapped.For the most part I believe that the transportation improvement plan is sound.Input by the residents of McHenry County is so important to this plan. For example theresidents of Fleming Road have spoken loud and clear that any engineering done on Fleming Road should follow their wishes and all improvements stay within the footprint of the present road. Likewise the same issues have involved the residents of Alden Road.These projects should not be scrapped, however they do need to be looked at in a different light.Does the county need to address its ethics policies' Why or why not? If so, how?I believe the county ethics ordinance was modeled after the State Statue. There has been much discussion on this topic in the past couple of years. That being said, It is important for the citizens of McHenry County to know who on the County Board hasfinancial interests that will effect votes on zoning or purchasing properties.Assess McHenry County's efforts thus far in terms of groundwater preservation and protection. What needs to be done now and in the future?McHenry County has been fortunate to have a hired a water resource manager five years ago. Recently the Water Resource Action Plan has been adopted. Next the plan will be implemented.Assess how the county health department approached the whooping cough outbreak. What should have been done differently?The county health department approached the whooping cough outbreak with educationalmaterials and vaccines. It appears that the health department was on the right track.