Ronald Almiron: Candidate Profile

Back to DuPage County board District 4

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: WheatonWebsite: ronaldalmiron.comOffice sought: DuPage County board District 4 Age: 47Family: Married twelve years with one son in kindergartenOccupation: AttorneyEducation: B.A., American Studies Psychology, University of Notre DameJ.D., The John Marshall Law SchoolCivic involvement: Past director, vice president, Glendale Heights Barangay Lions Club; current president, Greens of Glendale Lakes Umbrella AssociationElected offices held: None other than Republican precinct committeeman since 2008Have 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?There is too much government involved in our lives, particularly at the federal and state level. I want to help the residents of DuPage County by providing some relief at the local level. Consolidation of county government has been effective under Chairman Cronin. With the Republican majority, DuPage County is doing well. But I think we can do even better. A fresh perspective is necessary in order to renew Republican principles. Mindful of the conservative voters in District 4, I would advocate smaller government, less spending, free enterprise, limited regulation and lower taxes. One issue I am concerned about is how county government can save money for the taxpayers, yet provide even better quality services in a more efficient way. As County Board Member, I would build upon Chairman Cronin's initiatives and explore further the idea of outsourcing certain services to the private sector, so that DuPage County residents are getting more quality for their hard-earned taxpayer dollars. Ultimately I envision more public-private partnerships with the companies that do business in DuPage County.What differentiates you most from your opponents in the race?I truly bring a fresh perspective to the County Board. As a practicing attorney for nearly twenty years, I have advocated for my clients' best interests. As an appellate attorney, I have contributed to case law with my recent victory on behalf of homeowners in the mortgage foreclosure case, CitiMortgage v. Johnson. I thoroughly analyze problems toward reaching common sense solutions for the benefit of individuals and families, particularly those with younger children. With this focus, I can better grow the Republican Party at a time when it is much needed, and untag its potential by reaching out to new demographics in an innovative way.How far do you think the county should carry its quest to consolidate local units of government?Consolidation is a good thing, but each unit still needs to work well. In some cases, remaining separate may be the best way to go. One example is the issue of consolidating the county clerk's office with the election commission. The latter is bipartisan, and is not subject to oversight by the County Board. Transparency is maintained, and election results reflect the will of the people. Both offices should remain separate.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.Candidate did not respond.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?That idea has been bandied about since the turn of the century. I would work with the DuPage County Fair Association, and analyze any financial reports to see the costs involved, and see if converting the fairgrounds to another use would be beneficial to DuPage County residents. That said, my family and I have enjoyed the county fair at its present location. I do not think we should be doing away with tradition for the sake of change. I think DuPage County residents enjoy certain things the way they are, whether it's the county fair over at the fairgrounds right in the county seat of Wheaton, or all the trees along Butterfield over by Route 53.What should DuPage be doing to address stormwater and flooding issues throughout the county?Whether it is the county, forest preserve, city or village, I think all affected governmental entities should work together to solve stormwater problems. No homeowner enjoys their basements being flooded. Solutions should start not with DuPage County goverment, but at the most local of levels. For instance, the City of Wheaton has had projects in place to address homes and businesses suffering from flooding. Because of its responsibility to the taxpayers, DuPage County ought to be careful with whether it asks the taxpayer to pay a stormwater utility fee. If a feasibility study were to be done, the County should wait for the results then reassess the matter.Finally, is there anything we haven't asked about that you feel we should know?I have contributed to the community as a champion for homeowners and borrowers seeking a loan modification. I achieved an appellate court victory over a large law firm representing a national lender. Through the case, I assisted homeowner/borrowers in obtaining the remedies they were entitled to under the law, such as a loan modification. The impact is that homeowners timely filing HAMP applications stand a better chance of having them properly analyzed without the lender forging ahead with a judicial sale. Citimortgage v. Johnson, 2013 IL App (2nd) 120719.