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Joseph Haimann: Candidate Profile

Kane County Board District 24 (Democrat)

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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: CarpentersvilleWebsite: Twitter: Facebook: Office sought: Kane County Board District 24 Age: 69Family: wife, 3 kids (2 boys,1 girl), 1 granddaughter Occupation: supvisor PACE- retired Education: Civic involvement: FISH food pantry, assisted with planting over 600 Oak trees in the Schweitzer Woods project, Army Veteran, , Former chairman of Carpentersville Planning and Zoning Commission, former Carpentersville Fire Pension Trustee, Dundee Precinct 7 Committee Man, Member of St. Monic's Catholic Church (honored man of the year 2004), Holy Name Member, Knights of Columbus 4th degree (including 3 years office chancellor, 4 years as treasure), Kane County Forrest Preserve volunteer, Pulled Invasive Species, Carpentersville Paint-A-Thon (8 years)Elected offices held: Questions Answers Do you believe Kane County Board/Forest Preserve District members should have continued access to per diem payments, health insurance and pension benefits? I am formally appointed to five board committees and three forest preserve district committees and regularly attend all those meetings. In addition, I attend the meetings of committees to which I am not appointed to make certain I am informed on all issues upon which I vote as a member of the Board and Commission. In all, I attend (and prepare for) twelve each month. I make a 60 mile round trip commute for each of these meetings, which computes to more than 8,640 miles annually. Based upon the level of activity and travel time involved, I don't find it unfair that I accept benefits which are available to the position.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? I believe all decisions need to be evaluated for their impact on the county as a whole. That being said, when an issue is of unique local impact it only makes sense to listen closely to the position of that representative who will be most knowledgeable regarding the issue.Do you support the redevelopment of the former Settler's Hill landfill? What is your vision for the future use of that site?I support the redevelopment of Settler's Hill landfill. Decades ago, Phil Elfstrom as the forest preserve district president at the time and then chairman of county board and waste management, persuaded the city of Geneva to allow for the expansion of the old Midway landfill with a modern sanitary landfill. The city was promised the eventual redevelopment of the landfill into a recreational facility. Relevant to this discussion, the forest preserve settler's hills golf course and the Cougar's stadium became county amenities at substantially expense. In addition, tipping fees were collected to create a fund for the promised redevelopment of the new landfill itself once closed. That fund accrued an approximate $9,000,000 balance and is intended to pay for the redevelopment of the hill to a recreational amenity. During the lifespan of the landfill, the county collected substantial revenue to the benefit of its general fund.Various proposals for the redevelopment of the landfill have been made. Due to the unique limitations to activity that can be conducted on the property, the most viable alternative has been determined to be passive fill applied to the hill itself. The plan that it should be used as a cross country racing venue during the season and a climbing/walking path the balance of the year to reach the summit of the hill. Funds are available in that tipping fee fund to construct the improvements. Additionally, estimates of potential revenue from racing activity and general operating expenses indicate that the facility will possibly generate revenue to the benefit of the forest preserve district and, in any event, not be a drain on district finances if run as a conventional preserve.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?To date, we have maintained flat levies for the last four fiscal years. This effectively saving the tax payers of this county $16.4 million in taxes and we have done so while still proving the services and protection the county's citizens expect and deserve. With financial issues being handed to us by Springfield and the fact that costs continue to rise, my position on a flat level is that we should continue as long as essential county services and functions do not suffer.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?Incumbent on Kane County Board.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Richard Durbin What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Always treat others the way you want to be treatedIf life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Taking more time to enjoy the little moments, life passes too quickly. What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Econ and government. It sparked my interest to get involved and better the community at a young age. If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Always help people, be kind to one another.