Kory Atkinson: 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: RoselleWebsite: http://www.koryatkinson2012.comOffice sought: DuPage Forest Preserve District 6Age: 34Family: Married to Sarah for 11 years. They have a rescue dog, Bullet.Occupation: Attorney, Law Office of Kory Atkinson.Education: Juris Doctor, Northern Illinois University College of Law, 2004. Bachelor of Arts, Knox College, 2000.Civic involvement: Roselle Chamber of Commerce Carol Stream Chamber of Commerce Western DuPage Chamber of Commerce Bloomingdale Township Republican Party Intellectual Diversity Foundation Illinois State Bar Association DuPage County Bar Association The Conservation FoundationElected offices held: Village of Roselle, Trustee College of DuPage, TrusteeHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: No.Candidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Getting the most for your $100. Most voters pay about $100 per year in real estate taxes to the Forest Preserve District. In return, you have access to over 25,000 acres of quality open space and 145 miles of trails that provide countless recreational opportunities close to home. I will work to make sure you get the most for your money.Key Issue 2 Proud to Preserve. The DuPage Forest Preserves add immensely to our quality of life. Raised in the rural foothills of Colorado, I understand the importance of quality open space and am dedicated to protecting our preserves for future generations.Key Issue 3 Leading Transparently. Transparent government is good government. As a trustee for both the Village of Roselle and the College of DuPage, I advocated to post public information online to help residents stay up to date. I will do the same at the DuPage Forest Preserve District.Questions Answers Do you support continuing the effort to acquire County Lakes Golf Club in Naperville? Why or why not?After reading the Illinois Supreme Court's recent decision on this issue, I think the Forest Preserve District should re-evaluate its efforts to acquire the golf club. The District needs to carefully determine and weigh the new cost to acquire the golf club against the expected benefits of owning this property. An analysis was done several years ago when the District first decided to acquire this property. As Commissioner, I will draw on my legal experience in participating in a new analysis in light of the changed circumstances.Should the district be in the golf course business' If so, please explain the benefit. If not, please detail why. Should the district consider selling any of its holdings'The DuPage Forest Preserve District's primary objective should not be, and does not appear to be, the building and running of golf courses. However, the acquisition of golf courses may be necessary to preserve those courses as open space. Additionally, many (if not all) of the Forest Preserve District's golf courses serve as storm water detention areas, and thus serve multiple purposes for the residents of the District (i.e., open space, recreation, and flood control).The Forest Preserve District should not consider selling any of its holdings because State law does not allow the District to sell its land.Comment on the forest preserve's current land acquisition policy: Too aggressive? Too passive? Just right?The Forest Preserve District's land acquisition policy seems to be "just right." The overarching policy was set by the voters of the District when they approved a $68 million bond referendum for land acquisition. Federal regulations require that bond funds be spent within approximately 3 years from the date bonds are issued. The Forest Preserve District had a responsibility to carry out the decision of the voters while observing all legal requirements. The District appears to have successfully achieved these two objectives.