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Kerri Branson: Candidate Profile

Kane County Board District 18 (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: North AuroraWebsite: http://www.facebook.com/Kerri.A.BransonOffice sought: Kane County Board District 18Age: 42Family: Married 17 years to my husband, Scott, teacher and coach, with 4 children. 14 y/o twin boys, Luke and Zach, 12 y/o boy, Samuel and 10 y/o girl, Leah. Much of our lives and endeavors have been documented on www.theBransonProject.com.Occupation: Artist and Personal Trainer. President of upcoming gallery and photography studio opening this fall in North Aurora, called Creator Gallery.Education: University of Minnesota: 1989, Animal Health National Federation of Personal Trainers: 2009, Personal Training certificationCivic involvement: Organized and served philanthropically with 4 successful annual running events, which donate their proceeds to local charities in our community. Volunteering for these events include positions as race director, graphic coordinator, web designer, marketing director and event consultation. I have also served Hope Wall School with fundraisers, which my twin boys attend. Luke and Zach are both affected severely by cerebral palsy.Elected offices held: None.Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: No.Candidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 The county should create by example of living within our means to the public. This should include allocating funds in a fair and honest method to the most needed programs. The public has little trust in our politicians. Of course, debating issues is essential, but my goal would also be to create more transparency to the public and work toward team unity for the good of the county. Politicians should advocate for those who cannot advocate for themselves instead of taking advantage of their situation or using their misfortune to get what they want. The public should be reminded that a county board position is a service. Their voices should not only be heard, but also acted on. My inexperience in politics can be an advantage, as I will look at issues with fresh eyes and an honest heart. The adversity my family and I have faced has also taught me the importance of faith and facing each day with a positive outlook. Among the public, I am not satisfied with status quo. I would like to see change. Change to improve our community in a balanced way and lifting the human spirit to promote a better quality of life for everyone.Key Issue 2 Community health and education. I am interested in seeing the 2020 Fit Kids plan Kane County has started to implement succeed. This program is essential for our children and I would like to see the plan expanded to include the special needs population. The plan touches on this subject, but I have not seen it. With more babies surviving, premature births and our increasing ability to diagnose syndromes and sensory disorders, our special needs population is growing fast. "Haley's Playground" in North Aurora is a perfect example of what the 2020 Fit Kids plan is all about and accommodates our special population who are so dangerously at risk for obesity and inactivity. Unfortunately and surprisingly, Haley?s Playground was denied funding last year. We need to ensure these programs receive community support and annual funding which will increase the focus on educating our children to live healthier, more active lives. Our children's lunch menus at school still have not reflected any healthy changes. Having good health and well-being is a solid foundation to a better community.Key Issue 3 Supporting farmland preservation and agricultural conservation. While Kane County has supported this, I would like to see more of a focus on the issue. The current state of our economy shows as you drive around to see the distressing sights of a farmer's field gone and a replaced unfinished sub-division or empty business. Let us preserve the appropriate green we have and create jobs by beautifying and improving what is here. We need to make use of the empty buildings and finish the community projects we have already started. I would like to see increased promotion to the people regarding the importance of our farmer's markets and locally grown food. The goal is to give farmers more opportunities to reach out to our public so that they can benefit from their hard work and continue to stay in business. This will promote a healthier lifestyle and sense of unity within our community.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?Yes. I think a more stringent ethics ordinance provides our community a little more assurance that our elected officials are upholding the values we expect from our public servants. I think a strict ethics code is vital to assuring the public that Kane County officials are transparent, honest and working in the best interest of the community. Following through with the creation of more detailed economic interest statements would only support what they have already begun to put into place.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 build out eventually paid for itself in a timely manner and created income to lighten the burden of the jail's expenses on Kane County, I would support it.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?I would strive early on in this role to gain an education as to the ?need? for a $12.6 million update. I am a believer in gaining efficiencies thru innovation. This is the key to growth, but there must be a balance in what efficiencies are necessary and which are nice to have. $12.6 million for a new computer system is a significant investment when income to the county is in decline. I am sure there are ways to upgrade at a lower cost. I can buy a brand new state of the art computer for $3500...or I can wait a year and buy the same system for $500. Technology is always changing and getting better and faster. Settling for last year's model is always going to be 20 times better than the 7-year-old computer you have sitting on your desk. Instead of looking for ways to fund the most expensive, they should buy within their means, as it will still be a vast improvement.Do you support the call by the state's attorney and public defender for raises for their staffs? Where should that money come from?No, I do not. There are 1000's of teachers in this county who have been on salary freezes for several years also. Budgeting a larger salary for these staffs is only going to exacerbate our problem. Every one has taken a hit during our economy's decline. We can't keep spending money we don't have.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 love the idea of creating new trails to accommodate a cross country facility. This keeps the land natural, but is still put to good use. I believe the decision that is made on the land should ultimately reflect what is going to happen to the old jail, so that the two development changes support each other.