Ersel Schuster: Candidate Profile

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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:BioQA Bio City: WoodstockWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: McHenry County board District 6 Age: 74Family: Husband EdwardOccupation: RetiredEducation: #8226; Master of Science -- National Louis Univ -- Counselor#8226; Bachelor of Arts -- National College of Ed.-- Bus psychology#8226; Associate of Science -- McHenry County College#8226; Illinois Lincoln Excellence in Public Service Fellowship AlumniCivic involvement: Candidate did not respond.Elected offices held: Supervisor, Seneca TownshipHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoQuestions Answers Why are you running for this office? Is there a particular issue that motivates you, and if so, what is that?Citizens, businesses and everything government touches is being taxed and regulated out of existence. In my opinion, I cannot complain about runaway government if I am not willing to roll up my sleeves and find ways to tackle the problem.What differentiates you most from your opponents in the race?I am very different from most folks elected to office because I refuse to go-alone-to-get-along with the "in" crowd. I challenge the status quo and ask questions that make most bureaucrats cringe. That is the way I have handled every position I've held and I promise to continue that practice.If you are an incumbent describe your main contributions. Tell us about important initiatives you've led. If you are not an incumbent, tell us what contributions you would make.As an incumbent, while it has taken a long time, I am finally gaining support for finding ways to hold the line with spending and in practicing true transparency on all levels of county government.This is the second year McHenry County has not increased the tax levy. I believe my nagging has paid off. I look forward to finishing my time in public office by helping to set these practices into motion for future county boards.What should McHenry County be doing to address stormwater and flooding issues throughout the county?The current Stormwater Ordinance has been a major contradiction and impossible to use or enforce. We are currently in the process of updating that document.The greatest problem with stormwater and flooding issues is that it is easier for county board members to say "OK" we will let you build in areas prone to these problems. It is not as easy to say "no."This Ordinance, and those who enforce it should come to understand that Mother Nature is smarter than all of us put together. "Engineering" around these water problems only encourages and postpones what nature will eventually win. I will be watching and working to make sure we do not fall into this trap with the new Ordinance.Finally, is there anything we haven't asked about that you feel we should know?Too many give lip service to, or feign outrage at the amount of money government takes from us. While angry about this we forget to look at the reason for this growing problem.As an elected official, it has been my mission to systematically work at encouraging public officials to recognize the fact that the public is crying out for relief from the tax burden. This is a slow process that will only be addressed when taxpayers stand up to their public officials and ask for better accountability of their spending practices.I am willing to continue this fight! Are you?