Angela Clay Thomas: 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: AuroraWebsite: www.angie4kanecounty.comTwitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Kane County Board District 4 Age: Candidate did not respond.Family: husband: Aurora native, attorney Juan ThomasOccupation: Nonprofit development/communications consultant/part-time teacherEducation: University of Miami, B.S Communications; The American University, MBACivic involvement: Aurora Historical Society, Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley West Aurora High School Interview Team, City of Aurora MLK Day Celebration Planning Committee, Aurora Township Democratic Precinct Committeeman, City of Aurora's African American Heritage Advisory Board (Mayoral appointee), Kensington Lakes Homeowner Association BoardElected offices held: NoneQuestions Answers Do you believe Kane County Board/Forest Preserve District members should have continued access to per diem payments, health insurance and pension benefits?Yes. Kane County Board members are doing triple duty between Board committees, the Forest Preserve and the Health Department. To effectively govern, Board members must spend significant time researching, reading and analyzing data and attending multiple meetings. If the county expects to attract and retain individuals who bring a breadth of experience and knowledge to serve on the county board, compensation is necessary.For decisions that specifically or mainly impact one county board district, should the rest of the board defer to the wishes of the county board member who represents the impacted district?Living and working in the area they represent, board members know the history of their community. They understand the nuances of local issues. They're sensitive to citizens' concerns. When a decision primarily impacts one county board district, other members of the board should value the knowledge and experience of the representative of that area and support his/her recommendations, when possible. However, while each county board member has been elected to representing the interests of one particular area, they must strike a balance between doing what's best for their constituents and effectively serving all County residents.Do you support the redevelopment of the former Settler's Hill landfill? What is your vision for the future use of that site?Yes. Most citizens are likely to face an annual tax increase from their city/village and/or local School District. If the county can ease the burden on taxpayers by freezing its tax levy, it should. Even with keeping the tax levy at the same rate, revenue can increase, depending on property values and/or rate of decline in property values.Do you support the push to keep the tax levies frozen for both the county board and forest preserve district? How long is it realistic for that freeze to remain in place?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?N/AWhat other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?I would like to bring more awareness to the Fit Kids 2020 Plan and increase community involvement to move it forward. Across Kane County, one out of five children is overweight. In some of our communities that number is alarmingly higher: one out of three. To reverse this trend and prevent obese children from growing up with serious health problems like diabetes and heart disease, families, schools, local government and other community partners must work together. I welcome the opportunity to serve as an ambassador for the program to help bring resources to community organizations that provide programs and strategies consistent with the Fit for Kids goals. I would also work to get every school district in the County on board with Fit for Kids to educate parents about healthy food choices and physical fitness, provide healthier school meals, and strengthen school wellness policies Making Kane County government more accessible to all residents by streamlining the website is a top priority. While the County works to be transparent and has made key financial data and public records available online, information is not always easy to find. The County website must be more user friendly #8211; uncluttered, reorganized, more descriptive in some areas #8211; to get users to the answers and information they're looking for quicker and to encourage repeat visits to the site.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.President Barack Obama most inspires me. Over the past eight years he has consistently demonstrated grace under pressure. Despite personal attacks, lack of cooperation and attempts to block progress, the President has succeeded to make significant change, most notably healthcare reform, for generations to come.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Honesty is always the best policy.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would major in Education in college to become a teacher.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?English was my favorite subject and it led me to a love for writing. As I've developed my craft, writing has led to many professional opportunities.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Live by the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you'd have others do unto you.