Nancy Gonsiorek: 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: Crystal LakeWebsite: NancyforCountyBoard.comTwitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: McHenry County Board District 3 Age: 57Family: My husband, John, is a health care administrator for a local hospital.We raised our two sons in District 3. They received a great education in our public schools and they are now in college. My extended family include my mother, sister and her family; all of whom have lived and worked in McHenry County for 25+ years.Occupation: Managing Partner, Nancy L. Gonsiorek, CPA, LLCEducation: BA Business AdministrationCPA Certified Public AccountantCivic involvement: Nunda Township Planning Commissioner; our team authored the first Nunda Township Comprehensive Land Use Plan.Nunda Township Open Space Committee. Our team wrote the first township open space plan in the County; were recognized as volunteers of the year by the Environmental Defenders. 10 years as board member for The WPPC, a local environmental organization providing education and outreach to the community including programs for our local schools.Crystal Lake Jaycees Volunteer Service Award recipient.8 years providing pro-bono advisory services and speaking engagements for local nonprofit organizations.Currently serving as a board member for the McHenry County Community Foundation.Elected offices held: 8 years of service, two terms, on the Crystal Lake District 47 Board of Education. Served as board vice president and chairman of the finance committee.Questions 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 care about our community as evidenced by my distinguished record of community service. We need elected officials who can provide thoughtful, responsive leadership and my experience on the District 47 Board of Education demonstrates my ability to connect with the community, listen, work with a team, and get the job done well. I have lived in District 3 for more than 20 years and I understand the needs of my community. This is a beautiful place to live, work and raise a family. But I want to do more to attract the economic growth necessary to control our taxes.If 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?I have 25 years of experience as a Certified Public Accountant and business leader. Currently there are no CPA's on the County Board. I will provide a strong understanding of best practices for financial oversight. I am a business owner; my CPA firm serves nonprofit organizations in McHenry County. I will provide a unique perspective of the needs of our local nonprofit sector and the people they serve.I am a mom. My husband, John, and I raised our two children right here in District 3. I want to ensure our community remains a beautiful place to live.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?Many have seen their home values decline while taxes continue to increase. Our state is very sick with no change in sight. A flat levy will only get us so far. We need economic stimulus â#8364;#8220; job growth including agritourism, small and home-based businesses; and investment in infrastructure. McHenry County has considerable undeveloped land in unincorporated areas. The County has oversight of planning and development in these areas and necessarily so. The County recently adopted the Unified Development Ordinance which is integral in planning for growth and development. I want to continue such support of creative opportunities for economic 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.As the speed of information increases, so does the demand for more access and the associated costs to meet these demands. I applaud the county for its efforts to keep up with such demands while keeping its levy flat. I appreciate the online access to agendas and minutes of County Board meetings, including the attendance records of board members. This helps taxpayers to hold their representatives accountable. The Clerk and Recorder's offices have also been working to improve the on-line access to information. There is always more to do and I am supportive of efforts for increased transparency.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?I ran and was successfully elected twice to the District 47 Board of Education, serving a full 8 years. My service included board vice president and chairman of the finance committee, providing oversight of an 85 million-dollar budget. I have not been appointed to fill any unexpired term. I ran a close but unsuccessful race for McHenry County Board in District 3 in 2014. 30 votes separated me from the winner.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?The general public is tired of contentious government! We need level-headed people on our county board who will use common sense and work respectfully, and who will compromise when necessary to get the job done. As a county board member, I will listen, study issues and make educated decisions, because saying "no" does not make one fiscally responsible unless you provide a better idea. I will ensure we evaluate outcomes for accountability to taxpayers. Lastly, Boards function best when members are physically present and participating. I will strive for a near-perfect attendance record, as reflective of my past service.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Pope Francis. I am impressed by his humility, concern for the poor, commitment to international diplomacy and the environment -- a leader for all humanity.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Work hard and be nice to peopleIf life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?We are beautifully flawed human beings and mistakes make us who we are. The important thing is that we continue to learn and improve.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Art. Creativity is necessary in developing critical thinking skills and ability to problem-solve. Art makes me happy and my positive attitude is critical to success.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Work hard and be nice to people