Kay Bates: Candidate Profile

Back to McHenry 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: McHenryWebsite: voteforkay.orgTwitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: McHenry County Board District 4 Age: No answerFamily: Three children and three grandchildrenOccupation: President of McHenry Area Chamber of CommerceEducation: Bachelor degree in Business Administration from University of IowaCivic involvement: Past board member of the McHenry County Economic Development Corporation, Present Vice President of the McHenry Downtown Business Association and Present Secretary of the McHenry Riverwalk FoundationElected offices held: NoneQuestions 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?I firmly believe that business leaders have an obligation to serve their communities, county, state and nation with the skills they have acquired from running successful organizations. This is my time to serve. That is why I have decided to run for McHenry County Board, District 4. Businesses needrepresentation before government by someone who can empathize, understand and be in a position to do something about their needs. Whether a company is dealing with outdated sign ordinances, zoning limitations, poor infrastructure, governmental practices of hiring non McHenry County companies or excessive taxes each business needs someone to be an advocate and I hope to be that person. We want potential companies looking at McHenry County as their home to find us business friendly. Greater industrial and commercial growth helps in reducing taxes and job creation.If you are a challenger, what would you bring to the board, and what would your priority be?A voice for the business community. Business growth and retention keeps taxes family friendly and employs our people.Describe your position regarding the balance between county spending and revenues as it exists today, then describe the chief threats you see looming in the future and how the county should deal with them. In particular in the suburbs, President Preckwinkle has set a goal of eliminating unincorporated areas from county oversight. Do you agree with this approach? If so, how should the county go about it?The chamber gains its revenue the old fashion way #8211; we pound pavement. I have been effective in finding unique, community pleasing ways to bring in unconventional revenue, allowing the chamber to keep its membership investment cost low for the small businesses we incubate. In addition, and this is, where I shine, I have learned to exercise great control over the expense side. Tax supported agencies need to learn to control their budgets the same way businesses and households do and not look to the over burdened taxpayer. I will be looking closely at the county's budget to study where the money is going and alternative ways to raise revenue rather than taxes.Key threats to the future include funding our services on all levels and retaining and attracting industry. There are multiple reasons for funding to be a concern as the internet is creating an avenue for online purchases instead of purchases at local lifestyle centers. Other threats include lack of good road systems into McHenry County for drawing industry, industry leaving the state, and population leaving the state. Lastly concerns are poor state image.The State of Illinois has too many issues to solve to be depended upon, so McHenry County needs to look to itself to promote the County to businesses seeking to find a new site, we also need to be united, not on all objectives but on those key to our commercial and industrial growth such as infrastructure. I have worked with over 500 volunteers and know how to work through conflict and keep group vision on what we have in common, the achievement of a goals for the common interest of the community. Also, all governments at all levels, need to have 3 year, 5 year and 10 year plans for dealing with the changes in shopping habits by the consumer created by the internet. This trend will affect not only governmental coffers but community employment and needs to be addressed. Marketing well the county, working with other county governments to extend Route 53, a mutual interest for business growth.How do you rate the county government 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 important.Governments should always be transparent to the voters and the public should have access to the records.Please list any elected office you have ever run for and what the result of that election was. Have you ever been appointed to fill an unexpired term?None, I have successfully run a business for 12 years and will bring a fresh vision to McHenry County Board, a vision that knows how to control waste and manage well.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Utilizing McHenry County Businesses for local services when at all possible. These are organizations that pay taxes and have employees who pay taxes into the area and we should support them.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.I appreciate leaders who are more interested in serving the voters than in getting re-elected. Also leaders who respectfully deal with conflict showing true leadership.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?IntegrityIf life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I am appreciating my life as it is, exciting, challenging with a daily new opportunity.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Believe it or not, theater. This has helped me in many ways being able to read people well, listen and find the common interest. Also theater has helped me be a good communicator and relationship builder.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Build positive business and personal relationships. Determine where you want to be in five years and develop a plan to get there.