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Terrell Barnes: Candidate Profile

DuPage County board District 6 (Democrat)

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: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Terrell-Barnes/107275369302474Office sought: DuPage County board District 6Age: Candidate did not respond.Family: SingleOccupation: Non Profit ExecutiveEducation: Masters of Jurisprudence in Business Law and Corporate Governance, Loyola University Chicago School of Law, 2010 Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, University of Windsor, 2004 Management Supervision Certification,College of Dupage, 1999Civic involvement: Volunteered- Friends of the Chicago River, Dupage PADS, Marklund Children's home, Network for Teaching EntrepreneurshipNElected offices held: NoneHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Job Creation This is the biggest issue in Dupage County and the region. To maintain competitiveness, and widen the tax base the Dupage County Board must take an active role in the economy, by creating the environment for new businesses to set up in the county.Key Issue 2 Size of County Government In the effort to re-invest in job creation and vital infrastructure the size of government will need to be right sized to free the investment potential. Offsets will have to be found in the budget and where municipalities and the County can share in providing services, this streamlining must occur.Key Issue 3 Contracting reform The Dupage Housing Authority and all agencies should create confidence with the taxpayers by not allowing former Board members or employees to lobby their former employers or boards for contracts for at least 8 years. A recent May 28, 2011 Chicago Tribune article by Bill Ruthart, details a no bid contract with a former Housing Authority Board member that ultimately cost the tax payers 10.75 million in misused tax dollars which were later ordered to be repaid. Proper oversight of no bid contracts and potential sweetheart deals would aid at saving the tax payer and allow the County Board more resources to advance the mission of affordable housing evenly disburse throughout the county. Proper oversight and even disbursement of affordable housing are two points that would be at the cornerstone of my policy on affordable housing in my district and throughout the county.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?Economic development motivates me. I want to live in a county that's growing and taking full advantage of it's strategic positioning within our region. I'm running to insure a moderate alternative who has long ties in the community and seeks to work across party lines is presented to Democratic voters this primary season.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?Candidate did not respond.How can the county best manage its growth, growing diversity?The county best manages the growing diversity by first accepting it and second leveraging the talent that growing diversity has to grow our county and move it forward.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?Candidate did not respond.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?As I studied the pay of County Board members the pay is competitive and inline with the industry standard taking into account the size of Dupage County. I believe the pension system needs greater oversight. Clearly, the honor system with the 8 years and the current hour threshold isn't working. Reforms should be madewhich includes citizen oversight to create a comprehensive future discussion on the pension matter.