Valerie Bruggeman: 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: West ChicagoWebsite: www.Valerie4DuPage.comOffice sought: DuPage County board District 6 Age: 50Family: Married to Ken Bruggeman, two children Megan (22) and Jonathan (20)Occupation: Director of External Affairs, ATTEducation: Associates Degree in Business Management, College of DuPageBachelor of Arts-Organizational Communication, North Central CollegeCivic involvement: United Service Organizations (USO) of Illinois Board member, June 2008-PresentSt Francis High School Alumni Board 2007 to Present, Chairman (2008-2010) Quad County Urban League Board, 2008-Present, Chairman (2000-2011) St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Vice-Chair Pastoral Council, Bereavement Committee 2010-present Professional Women of ATT Member 2004-PresentGreater Oak Brook Chamber of Commerce Board Member 2003-Present Naperville Chamber Board Member, 2002-Present. Chair of Legislative Committee (2002-2004)Downers Grove Area Chamber of Commerce Member, 2005-present, Chair (2006-2008) West Chicago Chamber of Commerce Industry, Vice-President June 2005-2006 member-2004- present.Illinois Lincoln Excellence in Public Service Series for Republican Woman, Class of 2001 President and present member Business Ledger-Influential Women in Business Award, October 2005DuPage County Workforce Investment Board, Appointed 2000-2004West Chicago Fire Protection District Trustee, Appointed 2000-2004Illinois Dept. on Aging Advisory Member, Appointed 2001Teen Parent Connection Board Member 1999, President 2003-2004DuPage Convalescent Center Foundation, President 2002-2004DuPage Center for Independent Living Board Member 1992-1995Illinois Governors' Task Force on Human Services Reform, Advisory Board Member Points of Light Foundation Member and Trainer School District 25 - Curriculum Committee MemberElected offices held: NoneHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: Ten years ago, I was arrested for suspension of Driving Under the Influence. The case was dismissed and there was no conviction.Questions Answers Why are you running for this office? Is there a particular issue that motivates you, and if so, what is that?I grew up and have lived in DuPage County and my family and I have proudly called West Chicago home for over 25 years. I have a strong track record of involvement in the community and serving the public and I want to draw on my knowledge and experience to provide excellent representation to the people of the 6th County Board District.I would bring to the county board a deep understanding of the issues important to residents of the 6th District. I would fight for lower taxes and advocate for sensible solutions to the storm water management problems that affect so many. I want to protect and enhance the services that DuPage offers the senior citizens who helped make this county what it is today -- a powerful economic engine and a great place to raise families.I have spent much of my adult life striving to protect and enhance the quality of life in DuPage County. Although my current position is in external affairs for ATT, I previously worked at DuPage County Convalescent Center in Wheaton and the DuPage County Department of Human Services. I have the knowledge, experience, temperament and judgment to represent the 6th County Board District.What differentiates you most from your opponents in the race?I would bring to this office a blend of government experience at DuPage County and private sector business knowledge at ATT. That background, a lifetime spent in DuPage County, and years of service in organizations and on local boards, commissions and committees, make me uniquely qualified to represent the citizens of the 6th County Board District.The people of this District need a tireless advocate who will represent their interests and ensure their voice is heard at DuPage County. Those who know me well know that I am such a person. Often, I am praised for my keen judgment and my ability to roll up my sleeves and deliver a project. If I am elected to represent the 6th District on the DuPage County Board, the people will receive the very best that I have to offer.How far do you think the county should carry its quest to consolidate local units of government?I support the efforts of the DuPage County Board members to reform and consolidate government in areas that make sense. In DuPage County there are over 400 separate taxing bodies, which at times have overlapping responsibilities. Just as businesses and households need to continually evaluate how they are doing their business or running their household, as a DuPage County Board District 6 member, I would support continual review and streamlining of services or operational systems. As a West Chicago Fire Protection District Trustee, we strategically evaluated how we could best serve the residents of West Chicago and be good stewards of taxpayers money. The county board should carefully examine consolidation opportunities on a case-by-case basis. Through analysis and collaboration, other strategies such as intergovernmental agreements or shared services may be achieved. Business organizations such as Western DuPage Chamber of Commerce consolidated with several area chambers to bring added value to their members and increase the efficiencies and effectiveness of their organizations. As a chamber board member, I have worked with several organizations to explore similar opportunities to greater enhance the services and offerings to members while keeping their own individual identity. It makes good business sense; government should employ the same opportunities. Within our household, we had to make the decision to move my mother into our home after evaluating, analyzing, and jointly deciding that it was not cost-effective or socially beneficial for her to continue to live on her own. At ninety-three she has embraced the change and we all have benefitted for the increased time and convenience of being together.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.I am the one candidate who has the background, knowledge, experience and history in DuPage County to be an effective common sense leader. DuPage County Board District 6 is where I was raised. As first generation immigrants, my parents chose to move to Winfield to raise their family and support their community. My husband and I chose DuPage County as the place to raise our family because we believe that DuPage offers the quality of life we strive for. I am a fiscal conservative with a common sense approach. I want to ensure that DuPage County remains as a place my children want to come back and raise their families. I am passionate about DuPage and would work for the residents of the county.An advisory group is trying to determine if the DuPage County Fair is the best use of the existing fairgrounds in Wheaton. What would like to see happen to the 42-acre fairgrounds site? Should the annual county fair be moved? Why or why not?I think it is terrific that Chairman Cronin created an advisory group to consider this very important question. I applaud the advisory group for including chambers and businesses in their planning efforts. The fair has been an important event in DuPage County since 1955 and it continues to entertain tens of thousands of people each and every year. My family has enjoyed the fair for generations, as I am sure many others have as well. Any decision about future of the fair should be made with that history in mind. There is no question that the fairgrounds represent a valuable piece of real estate. There are not many tracts of large, undeveloped land left in DuPage County. Once a property is developed, it is gone for good so we have just one chance to get this right. This is a very important decision facing the county and I look forward to working with the advisory group and the full county board to plan a future for the fair and the fairgrounds that we can be proud of.What should DuPage be doing to address stormwater and flooding issues throughout the county?As DuPage County's population has reached close to a million residents, issues like storm water and flooding has required greater attention. The DuPage County Board already has established best practices for infrastructure and stormwater management programs. They should continue to identify the problem areas, prioritize the projects, and explore funding mechanisms. The severity of the flooding in DuPage County last year impacted many residents and at times, became a life safety issue especially for communities in District 6 where flooding occurred. This is a topic that is important and that needs to be addressed in a manner that includes all stakeholders.Finally, is there anything we haven't asked about that you feel we should know?I believe in DuPage County. There are few places in America that have as many ingredients for success as DuPage; from our transportation infrastructure to our exceptional schools to our safe communities. Our past leadership did a great job of luring an appropriate mix of industry, retail and residential development that has made DuPage County an exceptional place to live and work. While there will be challenges ahead, I am confident in our ability to overcome them. If we keep taxes low and invest wisely in services for the senior citizens who helped build this county and programs for the children who are its future, I know our future will be bright.