MICHAEL SMITH: 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: CHICAGOWebsite: www.greens4mwrd.orgOffice sought: Metro. Water Reclamation District Age: 58Family: 3 DAUGHTER 1 SON 2 GRANDCHILDRENOccupation: NONEEducation: SOME COLLEGECivic involvement: NBCUElected offices held: WARD COMMITTEEMANQuestions Answers Why are you running for this office, whether for re-election or election for the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you? If so, what? What specific professional qualifications do you possess that would make you excel in this office?BRING ABOUT ACCOUNTABILITY WITH INSPECTOR GENERAL WITH FULL POWERIf you are an incumbent, describe your main contributions. Tell us of any important initiatives you've led. If you are a challenger, what would you bring to the board and what would your priority be?ACCOUNTABILITY, OPEN UP OFFICE TO ALL CITIZENS, TERM LIMITSHow do you view the role the district has played in controlling flooding in Cook County and what, if any, actions need to be taken to improve things?FLOODING HAS NOT BEEN CONTROLLED, WOULD EXAMINE WAYS TO CONTROL FLOODING WITHOUT POLITICAL IMPLICATIONSDoes the board have the right number of commissioners to adequately represent all parts of the district?UNKNOWN SINCE THE MAJORITY OF CITIZEN OF COOK COUNTY HAS NO IDEA WHAT THE MWRD DOES.How do you rate the MWRD on transparency and the public's access to records? If you consider it adequate, please explain why. If you think improvements are needed, please describe them and why they are importantTHERE IS NO TRANSPARENCY, CASE IN POINT, NEW PRIVATE PARK BUILT WITH PUBLIC MONEY, ONLY POLITICALLY CONNECTED CHILDREN CAN GET SUMMER JOBS THROUGH THE MWRD, INSPECTOR GENERAL WOULD EXPOSE THESE DISCEPANCIES.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?OPEN GOVERNMENT, ENDING POLITICAL PATRONAGE, DISTRICT IS CURRENTLY ALL DEMOCRATS.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.NONE COME TO MINDWhat's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?KEEP THRIVING FOR YOUR DREAMIf life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?NOT WASTING 15 YEARS ON MILITARY, INSTEAD WOULD HAVE COMPLETED COLLEGEWhat was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?HISTORY, ENCOURAGED ME TO LEARN MORE THAN TAUGHT IN SCHOOLIf you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?ALWAYS TREAT OTHER PEOPLE THE WAY YOU WANT TO BE TREATED