DuPage County board District 6 Nowak: 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: BartlettWebsite: laurienowak.comOffice sought: DuPage County board District 6 Age: Candidate did not respond.Family: Mother Donna and Peter reside in Bartlett. Sister, Josephine.Occupation: County Board Member, Strategic Planning and Community Outreach, St. Joseph ServicesEducation: B.A.-Knox CollegeCivic involvement: Board Member, Neighborhood Food Pantries (FKA Feeding Northwest DuPage) AmeriCorps Alumna (Notre Dame Volunteers) DuPage Cool Cities Council Lead Organizer of Bartlett Cool Cities Lifetime Member of the Girl Scouts of the USA Member of Sierra Club Member of the Legion of Young Polish Women Volunteer with Shining Light Not-for-Profit, serving families in crisis.Elected offices held: DuPage County Board Member, District 6Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: No.Questions Answers Outline two initiatives you have for the county and/or your specific district.I've spent the summer talking to residents about property taxes and will work with state and local legislators to take a larger advocacy role as a county. Bloated property taxes are dragging hardworking families down, further sapping the tax base. Legislation freezing property taxes when property values fall is one avenue, and at the local level reducing inefficient taxing bodies, waste, and investing revenue to expand the tax base will provide property tax relief as well. I will continue to push for critical ethics reform and stand up to pay-to-play and establishment politics.Do you think county board members should receive pensions? Why or why not? If elected, will you accept a pension?This is part of a larger taxpayer accountability issue regarding compensation. In June, I was the only representative in District 6 to vote against salary increases for part-time county politicians. With many taxpayers still recovering from the recession, the prospect of more money and benefits for politicians is simply out of touch with the reality of the people we represent. I have not accepted a taxpayer funded pension and will continue not to.What specifically should the county do to address flooding issues and how should such improvements be funded?Stormwater capital projects and the use of a rain tax to fund them are popular among politicians, but we must first examine best practices for land-use, future design and how it relates to the stormwater infrastructure. A county-wide rain tax places disproportionate burden on schools and churches with larger land area, may be unconstitutional on challenge (regarding the state's provision that DuPage can enact one without referendum)and would place added burden on tax-strapped residents. I prefer exploring an incentive-based program that encourages property owners to utilize best practices and make improvements to alleviate flooding,(e.g. more permeable greenspace, rain gardens,etc).What would you like to see happen to the county fairgrounds in Wheaton? Should the DuPage County Fair be moved? Why or why not?The fairgrounds are utilized by local community groups on a regular basis for programming and events that bring thousands of additional people and added revenue into DuPage County. Speaking to local residents, I have found there is a need for these added programs and recreation -particularly for youth- that both complement and expand the range of public services offered by their own municipal governments, saving everyone money. Moving the county fair may not be practical, and could unnecessarily cost taxpayers money and reduce or eliminate programs run on that property.What should the county do to improve transportation throughout DuPage and specifically in your district?Transportation funding and a current infrastructure is critical to the continued viability of DuPage County. Currently, the RTA sales tax is included in the County General Fund. Without dedicated funding for transportation, DuPage cannot remain viable and compete to attract new business and residential development. Our families are also relying less on vehicles and asking for more public transportation options. We need a re-examination of traffic patterns to plan long-term and adjust our public transit accordingly and find new ways to integrate various modes of transit together.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?As a County, we are tasked with providing high quality services efficiently, as well as ethically. We should maintain services for our seniors who have given much to health of this county, and expand our job training services to connect willing workers and veterans with jobs. I will push for oversight over pensioned appointments, taping committee meetings, and scrutinize contracts from political donors and pay-to-play. Ethics reforms and cutting waste allow us to more efficiently provide the county services that allow our residents to be independent and contribute to their communities.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.There are many leaders who inspire me, but Iâ#128;™m motivated most by hardworking families trying to make their community and country a better place.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?My family were hardworking immigrants from Europe. The values they passed down are ones of humility, perseverance, self-determination, and faith.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Every day is a chance to actively create a better tomorrow. Iâ#128;™m also dedicated to ensuring that the next generation is engaged in this process.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Journalism courses strengthened my ability to ask tough questions (and courage to do so), and also taught me the importance of listening.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Treat others respectfully and empathetically the way you would want to be treated, and be confident in the light your gifts bring to this world.