Lee Barrett: 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: East DundeeWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Kane County board District 21Age: 74Family: Happily married to Carmen for 42 years, with two daughters-Leigh Eileen, and grand daughter TaylorOccupation: Professional Engineer in private practiceEducation: Bachelor in Radiology-Roosevelt Univ-1971. Post graduate work in energy and computer science-Univ of WisconsinCivic involvement: Veterans Assistance Commission-Kane County AMVETSElected offices held: Kane County Board District 21, 8 years Dundee Township Republican Committeeman, 20 yearsHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 SpendingKey Issue 2 TaxesKey Issue 3 JobsQuestions Answers Do you support a more stringent ethics ordinance for Kane County governing the conduct of elected officials and county employees? Why or why not? If so, what should the ordinance contain?I would like to prohibit contributions by vendors to elected officials and employees to eliminate the perception of bidder influence.The county's portion of gambling proceeds has been decreasing every year for several years. What is your plan to prioritize use of that money? What might be done to wean the agencies and programs that receive this money off of it?The application of funding was intended to support educational, environmental and eeconomic development. The projects were not to fund salaries, but be limited to capital programs as seed money with non-recurring application. Attention to that purpose would eliminate dependancy.Do you believe the Kane County court system needs a computer system upgrade that might cost as much as $12.6 million? If so, do you support using RTA sales tax money to fund the cost, or do you have a different plan? If not, what is your alternative plan?The circuit clerk needs a system upgrade in the next fiscal cycle. Other departments - Sheriff, court services, etc can upgrade over time with attention to the ability to interface with the clerks system. Each department is responsible for IT funding from their budget. A $14M system is not indicated as a lump sum.Do you believe county board members and the chairman should receive health insurance and pension benefits' If you are running for one of those positions, do you plan on accepting those benefits' Why or why not?The existing pension system through IMRF is nominal and graduated. The health insurance should be the same as the employees policy requiring supporting contribution. The insurance and pension should remain as an incentive, but the salaries should be frozen.How do you resolve the ongoing debate over the county board setting budgets for departments run by other elected officials whom the county board has no control over? How should the county board enforce the budgets it sets'The budgets should, and are, set in consort with the elected officials in committee. They need to be reponsive to the economy and statutory obligations. The state needs to provide financial support for those offices as required by statute. Budget enforcement is a cooperative effort by committee.