Kelly Liebmann: 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: Wonder LakeWebsite: voteforkelly.comTwitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: McHenry County Board District 6 Age: 38Family: Adam Liebmann, husbandOccupation: Operations Manager Logistics CoordinatorEducation: A.A.S. Graphic DesignCivic involvement: 4-H Project Leader, Volunteer Fair JudgeMidwest Therapeutic Riding Program VolunteerElected offices held: Candidate did not respond.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 am running because the taxpayers need more fiscal conservatives on the McHenry County Board.We, the taxpayers, need people watching out for our pocketbooks. State and federal spending is out of control, and unfortunately our local governments are following the same path.Taxpayers need representatives on the McHenry County Board who realize federal and state money is not "free money," but taxpayer's money. They need a representative who will stand strong and say "no" to more spending. A representative who is willing to cut costly, inefficient government programs.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?In addition to my experience in transportation, administration, human resources and management, as a challenger I would bring a unique perspective, enthusiasm and original solutions to the board.Only because of the pressure of an upcoming election did some county board members vote to abate the $3M tax levy for Valley High this year. Further reduction in the levy should have been addressed long before such an excess in funds was accumulated, but many board members have become complacent.My priority will be to scrutinize spending and reduce unnecessary or duplicate programs to ultimately lower the tax levy.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?Declining property values and consistent reductions in home EAVs are forcing residents to pay more for government services. These threats to revenue will remain until the economy fully recovers from the great recession.Keeping spending constant is convenient. The board must reduce spending and attempt to lower the tax levy to levels that compensate for the increase in tax rate. Capturing revenue for phantom "new growth" should be blocked.The board should strive to appoint fiscal conservatives to the 45+ boards and commissions it oversees. Significant cost reductions must be implemented in order to extend significant tax relief to residents.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.2 stars.Audio or video should be recorded at all county meetings including, but not limited to, board, committee, and commission meetings; minutes do not always adequately illustrate the context.Current sound quality on audio recordings leaves much to be desired; volume is low and most people speaking are barely audible in available recordings.Agendas, meeting packets and other supporting documents should be available online as information on specific agenda items become available; not in a 200+ page entire agenda packet available at 5:00pm on Friday. This does not allow for proper meeting preparation and does not illustrate 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?After the Lakewood Rte 173/Rte 47 TIF was approved in early 2015, I ran as a write-in candidate for Regional Board of School Trustees. I ran because D200 had abstained from the joint review board vote, and I was concerned how D200 taxpayers would be affected by higher property taxes. I lost the election, but did manage to convince 268 voters to write my name on the ballot. Recently D200 announced they are considering suing the village of Lakewood--at taxpayer expense.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?McHenry county taxpayers' interests are poorly represented on the board. Maintaining spending levels because 'no one will notice the difference' encourages a need for change. Some of my opponents have increased spending and voted against levy reductions. Two of my opponents are current township supervisors that could double dip and double down against taxpayers. Residents need a fresh face who has distinctive ideas and genuine motivation; it's time for a younger generation to emerge and give input into the future.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Justin Amash-he follows the Constitution and bases his votes on limited government, economic freedom, and individual liberty.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?ForgivenessIf life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would spend more time with family that is no longer here.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Art-has given me the ability to analyze situations and devise creative and inventive solutions and answers to problems and situations.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Don't dwell on the past, set goals, and look forward to what the future will bring