Sue Draffkorn: 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: Wonder LakeWebsite: http://www.suedraffkorn.orgOffice sought: McHenry County board District 4Age: 56Family: Married, two childrenOccupation: BookkeeperEducation: Bachelor of Science, Northern IL University, 1978Civic involvement: McHenry Kiwanis ClubElected offices held: McHenry County Board Member 2002-present McHenry Twp Committeeman 2003-presentHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Keeping a balanced budget during the current economic climate.Key Issue 2 Groundwater preservationKey Issue 3 Protecting open lands and agricultureQuestions Answers McHenry County has managed the recession without a budgetary crisis like those in other counties. How do you ensure the county continues on that path and that reserves aren?t depleted? Are there specific budget areas that need more attention?As my job as a bookkeeper I realize how important it is to create a balanced budget. The past budgeting policies have served McHenry County well. Withdrawing money out of our reserves to balance the budget is not a direction McHenry County should embark upon. I believe that going forward, various departments need to reduce expenses. Families across McHenry County have had to live within their means when income is reduced. McHenry County needs to do the same.Does the McHenry County Board have a good transportation improvement plan? Please be specific and suggest whether you think anything is missing or should be scrapped.For the most part I believe that the transportation improvement plan is sound. Input by the residents of McHenry County is so important to this plan. For example the residents of Fleming Road have spoken loud and clear that any engineering done on Fleming Road should follow their wishes and all improvements stay within the footprint of the present road. Likewise the same issues have involved the residents of Alden Road. These projects should not be scrapped, however they do need to be looked at in a different light.Does the county need to address its ethics policies? Why or why not? If so, how?I believe the county ethics ordinance was modeled after the State Statue. There has been much discussion on this topic in the past couple of years. That being said, It is important for the citizens of McHenry County to know who on the County Board has financial interests that will effect votes on zoning or purchasing properties.Assess McHenry County?s efforts thus far in terms of groundwater preservation and protection. What needs to be done now and in the future?McHenry County has been fortunate to have a hired a water resource manager five years ago. Unfortunately that position has been vacated recently. The Water Resource Action Plan has been adopted. Next the plan will be implemented. I believe educating the citizens of McHenry County is a very important component in groundwater preservation.Assess how the county health department approached the whooping cough outbreak. What should have been done differently?The county health department approached the whooping cough outbreak with educational materials and vaccines. It appears that the health department was on the right track.