Melisa Taylor: 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: Sugar GroveWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Kane County board District 5 Age: 45Family: Rich-Husband, Danielle and Madison- DaughtersOccupation: Elected OfficialEducation: Holy AngelsOswego High SchoolWaubonsee Community CollegeKishwaukee Community CollegeCivic involvement: Kaneland School District Parent Teacher Organization President and Board Member-7 yearsKaneland School District Finance Committee Member - 5 yearsKaneland School District Referendum Committee Member - 10 yearsKaneland School District After Class Enrichment Director - 5 yearsSugar Grove Breakfast with Santa Director - 5 yearsLPGA - Sugar Grove Village/Government Liasion to the 2009 International Solheim CupChaired a Military Collection for the soliders-2008Fox Valley Girl Scout Summer Camp Assistant Director - 5 yearsElected offices held: Sugar Grove Village TrusteeHave 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?My intentions for running for re-election are the same ones that I ran for originally. My pledge to constituents and taxpayers in the 5th District is: -To represent their interests regardless of party affiliation or favoritism -Continuing a pledge to freeze all of the property tax levies to protect the investment (tax burden) by those in my district ensuring that we are getting competitive bids to ensure the best potential savings. I will continue to ask questions without fear of political repercussions when the tax burden remains so heavy within my district.What differentiates you most from your opponents in the race?I do not know any information about my opponent. However, I feel that I can understand the needs within my district best by fully engaging in volunteer work within my district on many levels. I have helped create and operate a charity in the 5th District that helps many residents within a 150 mile area within Kane County. I have been very involved with the local schools, the seniors, and all of the local churches on numerous projects for numerous organizations for over 20 years and this has allowed me to understand the concerns within my district.How much of a role should county board members have in the hiring of employees and county department directors and the determination of their salary and duties?I feel that every district in the county needs to have equal representation in decisions which affect each of us as taxpayers. As elected officials representing independent district interests, we should be involved and notified of all hiring decisions as recognized in the current county board ordinance. My district deserves autonomy and independence.What is your stance on the pending Longmeadow Parkway project? If you support the project, what must be done to move it toward construction? Is a referendum asking county voters if they support the parkway project appropriate?As the Longmeadow Parkway project has been taking the necessary steps forward for over 20 years, I care and respect greatly the opinions of all of the local elected officials (county, municipal, township, and state) that represent this area along with the local business owners. I will prioritize their opinions regarding this project and the benefits this will bring to Kane County long term as well as job creation short term. As for a referendum question asking county voters if they support the project? I feel that many of the concerns and questions have been addressed over the years with the numerous public hearings and comment opportunities for all opinions to be voiced and heard. In fact, these opportunities have allowed the project to make some changes as to satisfy the surrounding businesses and residents.Do you support maintaining a frozen county property tax levy? How long can/should the levy remain frozen? Should the forest preserve district also commit to a frozen property tax levy?I was one of the few county board members to vote NO on raising each and every county tax levy since I have taken office and will continue to do so. We also need to be vigilant and cautious about redirecting money from one fund to another by moving tax dollars from restricted funds to increase tax dollars in less restricted general fund. This could be problematic as we move forward. As long as Kane County, IL has taxes that remain some of the highest in the state and the country we need to ensure that our taxpayers know that we recognize the tax burden they face. I ran on that pledge when I took office and support that pledge to freeze every individual county tax and will continue to do so.Do you support the full implementation of all the projects envisioned in the Fabyan Parkway/Settlers Hill redevelopment? What is the proper balance between providing passive open space forest preservation and active recreational opportunities?The property owners in the Fabyan Parkway/Settlers deserve and should expect full disclosure and involvement in any project which involves their area keeping traffic, operations and the protection of their property values at the forefront of county interests.Finally, is there anything we haven't asked about that you feel we should know?I am very comfortable as a board member representing my district interests. I have and will continue to reach out for opinions and guidance from my constituents and I will not be discouraged as I attempt to find important information and answers to my questions. I will continually call for more transparent government without exception. Every board member and resident in the county should be able to know who is being hired (with documentation attached), terminated or given contracts. This information should be given to all board members with proper review time. We should follow the existing county ordinance passed.I voted NO on raising each and every county tax levy since I have taken office and will continue to do so.