BARBARA McGOWAN: 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: Candidate did not respond.Twitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Age: 71Family: Widowed, two children, three grandchildrenOccupation: Commissioner/Vice President of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater ChicagoEducation: High School graduate and some collegeCivic involvement: I am a member of the IVI-IPO, Westside Branch NAACP, and the 29th Ward Democratic OrganizationElected offices held: Commissioner - Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater ChicagoQuestions Answers The board continues to be dominated by officials from the city as opposed to the suburbs. Do you support reforming the way the board is elected to ensure more balanced representation?No. We represent all of Cook County no matter where you are from. It is not true that our board is dominated by officials from the city.The role of board members is described as part time, yet the salary associated with it is more than most people make in their full-time job. Should that salary be cut?No. I have served the public as a Commissioner on the MWRD Board of Commissioners for three six year terms, and I am proud of the fact that I have spent days, nights, and weekends working on the behalf of the citizens of Cook County.If you are an incumbent, what has your attendance been for board meetings? IF you are a challenger, have you attended any meetings? How many? Do you know the attendance rate of the incumbent candidates?I am proud of the fact that I have been present for 99% of our Board Meetings, and I have actively participated on the review of items listed on our board agendas. I have voted on these items with the best interest of the citizens of Cook County in mind.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 importantI consider the MWRD access of record as more than adequate. We have a Freedom of Information policy that says that we have to submit Freedom of Information request info within 10 days of request. We also have a website that has a wealth of information for the citizens of Cook County to access. We have a web-based data information system called Legistar where citizens can access and review all the actions of the Board of Commissioners. Also by accessing our website citizen can view the Board Meeting that are streamed live. However, there is always room for improvement.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 was first elected a Commissioner of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District in November of 1998, and was re-elected in 2004 and 2010. I have not been appointed to fill an unexpired term.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?As Chairman of the Committee on Affirmative Action I have fought for the inclusion of Minority and Female Businesses to work on District Construction and Professional Services contracts. Elevating flooding and improving our water quality is important. The completion of the Thornton and phase 1 of the McCook Reservoirs will provide flood relief to the citizens of Cook County.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.While no one is perfect I was inspired by the people of the United States when they elected the first U.S. African American PresidentWhat is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?One lesson is a part of many lessons. I learned to be caring, loving, respectful, kind, patient, thankful, humble, prayerful,sharing, neighborly , supportive and grateful.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?The life of my motherWhat was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?My favorite subject was reading. It inspired me therefore I read everything that comes into my office.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Take all the steps. No shortcuts as you travel life roads, take all the steps.