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Andrew Frasz: Candidate Profile

Kane County Board District 18 (Republican)

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: ElburnWebsite: http://none at this timeOffice sought: Kane County Board District 18Age: 55Family: Married 32 years to Gail, children Laura and AaronOccupation: Self-employed excavating contractorEducation: Associates degree College of DuPageCivic involvement: La Fox Civic Organization, 2000 - present Kane County Republican Precinct Committeeman 2008 - present Kane County Republican Central Committee Vice-Chair 2012Elected offices held: Kane County Board Representative District 26, April 2008 - presentHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 I set 6 goals when I ran for office in 2008: 1. Improve ethics - I initiated ethics reform with fellow board member Jim Mitchell, which led to the revised ethic ordinance. 2. Review and reorganize the Mill Creek SSA organization and administration. 3. Help solve the Mallard Point drainage issue in Sugar Grove. 4. Work to obtain land for youth and adult sports fields in the Elburn area. 5. Solve the railroad horn issue for Mill Creek and La Fox residents. 6. Move the Anderson Road bridge project forward. Items 1 - 4 are complete, Item 5 is funded and awaiting construction, and Item 6 is moving forward and construction is anticipated in 2014. My first priority is to move the last two projects to completion in 2013.Key Issue 2 The county board has had substantial turnover since I took office in April 2008 and we will have another group of new members in the next election and a new chairman from outside the board. If re-elected, I look forward to working with the new administration to reorganize and reinvigorate Kane County government to meet the challenges of the future for both the county and forest preserve district.Key Issue 3 As a Republican, I believe in small, unobtrusive government. I plan to encourage the new administration to look at ways to streamline and simplify county government. We need to define what services are mandated and what are optional services desired by the taxpayers that we can afford to provide.Questions Answers Did the county board get it right when they decided to leave an ethics ordinance that is more stringent but more open to a legal challenge in place? Would you support the creation of more detailed economic interest statements?The ethics ordinance is a vast improvement over what was previously in place. As mentioned, I was instrumental in initiating the ethics ordinance review and I feel that there cannot be too full of disclosure. I believe board members should not take political contributions from entities doing business with Kane County. I have followed this policy in my own campaigns in 2008 and 2012. I would support more detail in the economic interest statements.Would you support the buildout of the shell space in the Kane County jail if it could be shown that the space could/would be used to increase profits from housing federal inmates?Yes, if the cost/benefit was enough to justify the investment and management of this project.Do you believe the 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 it, or do you have a different plan? If not, what is your alternative plan?Yes, the task force has been doing a good job of moving this project forward and the current system is obsolete. The new system will be the heart of our judicial system and will result in several quality and efficiency improvements. I believe the costs may come in less then estimated and the funding is from several sources over a multi-year implementation.Do you support the call by the state's attorney and public defender for raises for their staffs? Where should that money come from?Yes, as a business owner I know the cost of low pay and high turnover is greater than a stable work force that is fairly compensated and appreciated. The non-union employees have borne the brunt of the economic downturn at the county and it is time we take a look at compensation. In the current budget review, many department heads have been able to grant merit pay increases through efficiencies and reorganization while maintaining a flat budget.What aspects of the Fabyan/Settlers Hill campus redevelopment vision created by the task force do you support? What should happen to the old county jail property?I support all of the concept as long as the upcoming economic and environmental studies support the various individual features. I believe the jail site should be redeveloped creatively as a privately owned and managed hotel/convention facility provided the county and forest preserve dictate that it is done in a style and layout that will complement this unique setting near the forest preserve, Settlers Hill campus, and golf course.