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Charles Ditchman: Candidate Profile
DuPage County board District 4 (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.
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Bio
City: Wheaton
Website: Candidate did not respond.
Office sought: DuPage County board District 4
Age: 49
Family: Single Father with Three childern
Occupation: Licensed Architect with the State of Illinos
Education: Associate in Applied Science, Southern Illinois University Bachlor of Science in Design, Arizona State University Master of Architecture, Syracuse University
Civic involvement: American Institute of Architects Northeast Illinois - Chapter President 2012. Knights of Columbus - St. Daniel the Prophet, Wheaton Religious Education Leader - St. Daniel the Prophet, Wheaton Wheaton Park District - Assistant Coach, Boy's Lacrosse Habitat for Humanity - Design charrette, Fox Valley and Dupage
Elected offices held: Leadership positions within the American Institute of Architects Northeast Illinois - President Vice President 2nd Vice President Secretary
Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: No
Candidate's Key Issues
Key Issue 1
Eliminate publicly funded Benefits for County Board Members and greatly reduce the $50,000 annual salary.
Key Issue 2
I would end no bid County contracts and increase board transparency.
Key Issue 3
Socially Liberal and Fiscally Conservative
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?
It's not the issues that motivate me. Issues are ephemeral. I think the more important motivational factors are the mindset and ethics of an individual who serves the community.
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?
My services to other organizations and the type of work that those organizations perform are an indication of what I can bring with me to the County Board. As an Architect, I am concerned about the projected growth of the County and physical from that it will take.
How can the county best manage its growth, growing diversity?
There are two types of growth in this question. The first one, I think is concerned with the physical growth of the County with regards to housing, business and infrastructure. The second one is concerned with the population that will live and work in this built environment. I think a diversified population can best be severed by an infrastructure which links all communities together through cultural, racial, and economic boundaries.
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?
I would think "Adequate" is a minumun.
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?
I think the issue of County Board benefits is shameful and one of the most guarded secrets of the Republican controlled DuPage County Board. As I passed my petitions and talked with constituents within my district, very few people where aware of County Board members receiving a salary and a pension for their service and of those who were aware of these benefits, none where aware of the amount and when I follow with the issue of a pension all of them were outraged. It needs to be seen if this outrage will result in greater voter turnout and a change in the representation on the DuPage County Board. I think Board Members should not have a publicly funded Pension and I would pledge whole heartedly not to take one. If board members think they need a pension because their work for the County limits their ability to generate income in their private sector practices then maybe they should consider stepping off the board as to better focus their efforts there in.
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