Robert Haraden: 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: LibertyvilleWebsite: http://www.electharaden.comOffice sought: Lake County board District 21Age: 50Family: Married with two lovely children.Occupation: Dentist, Engineer, Inventor, Manufacture of Medical devices and Farmer.Education: Doctorate Dental Surgery - University of Illinois at Chicago Masters Science Engineering - Marquette University Bachelor of Science Engineering - University of Illinois at ChicagoCivic involvement: Assistant Scout Master Troop 60 at St. Joseph in Libertyville. (Currently) Teach 700+ grade school students dental hygiene during National Dental Health month Assistant Scout Master Troop 96 at St Gilbert in Grayslake Boy Scout Unit Commissioner for Northeast Illinois President of a Pheasant Hunt Club in Southern Wisconsin 1996-2000 President Abbott Laboratories Engineering For Excellence 1994Elected offices held: Appointed Libertyville Township Committeemen Precinct 171Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: No.Candidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Build 53 and the Route 120 bypass.This project has been studied, voted on, studied, reviewed, and meeting after meeting... It's time to Build 53.This project would instantly stimulate Lake County's economy during construction phase and in the long run it would lure industrial, commercial business and create great jobs to our county. This economic turn around would also increase the value and demand for our homes.Key Issue 2 Make the county more business friendly by reducing the "red tape" and assessment/permitting fees.When a developer wants to develop property, the County Planning and Development should be assisting and not resisting the developer with the project.Lets face it; Lake County is losing great companies and jobs to Wisconsin.We need to stop the loss of our great jobs from Lake County.Key Issue 3 Make the Forest Preserve more accessible the public by having openings to neighborhoods and neighborhood connections to the bike paths.Questions Answers The county remains in the black, but property taxes across the region are high. Should programs be cut to save taxpayers money? If so, which ones and why?Lake County should be reimbursed for the engineering drawings and studies of State Road improvement projects.The engineering cost should be reimbursed by the State, after the state approves the project.L.C. Affordable Housing.There are a lot of "affordable" foreclosed homes on the market in every town in Lake Country.It is not the job of the county to determine if a person qualifies for home that they may not qualified to buy.What should be done with the Fort Sheridan golf course? If no building or management proposals come back from vendors, do you propose abandoning golf? If so, are you concerned about a lawsuit? If you propose building a course, how should it be funded?The land should either remain vacant or Farm Lease the property until the economy turns around and there is a need for a new golf course. This part of the Lake County (i.e. Lake Forest, Lake Bluff and Highwood) pay enormous amount of taxes to both the County and the Forest Preserves, but the residence complain that the L.C. Forest Preserve and the county does little in return.The people in this area should vote what should be done with Fort Sheridan property.Everyone knows the economy is still dragging and all Lake County Golf courses are getting less use.The Winchester House nursing home recently was turned over to a private company for operation. Should other county or forest district departments be privatized to save taxpayers money? Please explain.Yes.Lake County Forest Preserve's North Point Marina on Lake Michigan should be leased to a private company to create an awesome marina.Is there a specific type of service or amenity that is lacking in your district? If so, how do you propose to provide and fund that?No.Should the county continue to pursue open space policies' Why or why not?Currently the Lake County Forest Preserve has almost 30,000 acres; that's a lot of land!LCFP is required to fulfill the current bond commitment and purchase strategic land parcels.These strategic properties should be limited to properties that would ultimately connect bike paths to other trail systems.The economy is shrinking, but our Lake County government keeps on growing.There are many Families that are financially struggling and some facing foreclosure. Our aging County and senior citizens do not want any more land, which equates to more taxes.The residence of Lake County should be able to utilize and enjoy the land that has been preserved by the LCFP and make the land more accessible to the public.The senior citizens of Lake County have one goal; they do not want to get taxed out of there home.