Ed Young: 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: LisleWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: DuPage County board District 5Age: 61Family: Married 38 Years to Lene Father of Two Naperville Central Graduates Grandfather of 3+Occupation: CPAEducation: BBA Ohio University Economics Concentration MBA Ohio University Accounting ConcentrationCivic involvement: A founding member and 1st President- Citizens for Responsible and Appropriate Development in Lisle (CRADL) Trustee Lisle Village Board 1999 to present Board Member Lisle Convention and Visitor Bureau 2000- present Former Lisle Township Republican CommitteemanElected offices held: Trustee Lisle Village Board 1999 to presentHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Economic Development.As the Senior Trustee in the Village of Lisle, I led the negotiations on behalf of the Board that landed Navistar and Sun-Coke world headquarters in the Village of Lisle. These companies will bring in excess of 2,700 new jobs to DuPage County. Vacancy rates along the east-west corridor remain excessive so there is ample room to bring additional businesses to our great County.I think we have to be creative in how we approach granting assistance to entities we desire to remain, or relocate to DuPage County.In Navistar's case we were able to craft TIF assistance that even Naperville Community School District 203 supported. The mechanics of TIF's are difficult to understand and the Navistar TIF even more so because of the surplus declaration --that is the first major distribution each year is to the affected taxing bodies.In today's economic environment that is the type of financial creativity that is needed to stimulate economic growth in the County. While certain safeguards need to be incorporated into these economic incentive agreements to protect the long-term interest of the County, we must approach economic development in more creative ways. I also believe there must be a more unified effort in economic development activities.While the State, County and Village worked together to retain Navistar, an ongoing unified program should be established.The County needs to create and lead an economic expansion team that partners with all the municipalities to develop ways to retain and grow DuPage County's economic vitality.Key Issue 2 Efficiency of government.The County delivers a vast array of services as do the townships and municipalities within the County.Many of these services overlap as do the supporting functions.In County Government alone, twelve independent record keeping systems were identified that account for accrued personnel benefits.These multiple delivery systems, by their nature, are inefficient, provide opportunity for errors in reporting and require significant additional resources to ensure they are properly controlled.As the County Board Chairman has stated, 'taxpayers expect local government to consolidate and share resources when possible.'Although independence of some agencies may well be retained, consolidation of many of the support functions will lead to more efficient service.With my municipal background, I will lead the initiatives to provide consolidation of services and support functions that will result in reduction in costs and increased control benefiting all of DuPage County taxpayers.Key Issue 3 Storm Water Management.DuPage County has an effective ordinance to ensure future development does not adversely impact the surrounding areas from a storm water perspective.However, there are many areas within the County that continue to suffer adverse storm water effects.In addition, many of the protections built in the past are not maintained to today's standards and are in need of significant repairs.The County, working with the municipalities and townships need to develop detailed project and funding plans.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?I am a CPA with over 25 years in auditing as well as being a Trustee in the Village of Lisle for the past 12 years.Experience in accounting, auditing and government make me exceptionally qualified to be a DuPage County Board Member.Within the past few years we have seen financial irregularities at The DuPage Water Commission, the DuPage Housing Authority, the DuPage Forest Preserve and last May the County Auditor issued a report that stated "The County's accrued sick leave liability was underreported by $1,876,897.22 in fiscal 2009 and underreported by $38,963.94 in fiscal year 2010."The proper control environment begins at the Board level and it must flow through to all the County departments as well as those entities affiliated with the County.I will bring financial control discipline and mind set to the County board. I will ensure that appropriate controls are put in place for all the County's financial transactions including those transactions where Federal State funds flow through the County to other agencies.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?As described above my auditing background will bring a strong financial and control perspective to all Board actions.Not only will I insist that the cost of all activities be known before approval but I will ensure that all programs will be appropriately controlled from a financial as well as from a reporting perspective, before implementation.How can the county best manage its growth, growing diversity?Having led the fight against the Meijer superstore on Maple, I know what difficulties inappropriate development can cause.I will ensure that during the development process all voices will have ample opportunity to be heard.As the county continues to grow and developable land becomes scarcer it is important that all zoning codes be consistently enforced and that regulations and process for all development be transparent.With more diversity in the development we need be mindful and respectful of differing views and ensure all be treated equally.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?The Better Government Association noted that one representative from District 5 had the lowest attendance percentage of the entire County Board.Having served on theVillage of Lisle Board of Trustees for the last 12 years I know the importance of being present to represent your constituents.You are elected to participate in the Board's deliberations and you have an obligation to do so.During the past year as Lisle Trustee I missed only one scheduled meeting.I have a similar attendance record for all of my tenure as Village Trustee.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?The pay is fair but the benefits are excessive. The Board members, as well as all County employees, should be responsible for a greater portion of the cost for health benefits.Part time work should not entitle individuals to pension benefits.The taxpayers should not be paying pensions for part time service and then be subjected to further abuse by having pensions increased for limited full time service at other agencies.To qualify for a pension through the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund, all board members are requiredto do is put in eight years on the panel and perform 1,000 hours of county-related work annually--this is much too generous a benefit and should be eliminated.