Ersel Schuster: 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: HarvardWebsite: www.electschusterTwitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: McHenry County Board District 6 Age: 76Family: Husband - EdwardOccupation: RetiredEducation: National Lewis Univ. MS- CounselingNational College Of Ed. BS-BusinessWrenshall High School MN - BusinessCivic involvement: Candidate did not respond.Elected offices held: McHenry County Board - 14 years/ 3 non consecutive termsSeneca Township Supervisor - 16 years / 4 consecutive termsQuestions 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 have been around and involved in county government long enough to know that we cannot afford the government we have. My goal when elected will be to follow through on a project initiated by taxpayers; a project outlining a series of examples where the county board can begin reducing the size and cost of county services.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?Returning to the county board in 2008; during the first 3 years I stood alone in calling for reducing county government. The last 3 years a majority of members realized that things needed to change and we began reducing the amount of money requested via the tax levy.That was a start. The next step is to begin dismantling those programs and services that can/should be done by the private sector; are redundant; and/or outlived their need. This will take a great deal of work and a board committed to representing those who have elected them to office.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?Part I: Between labor, benefits, insurance, retirement obligations and capital costs to continue operating at the same level, this board will not be able to maintain a financial balance with available revenues. A rude awakening and huge crash are looming if all county officials continue to ignore facts.Part II: Regarding the "Cook County" question: I dare say, McHenry County, together with the other collar counties" will need to address this issue through their respective Legislative Committees to ensure that state legislation does not tip the balance to "Cook County" as another power grab for collar county tax dollars.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.In most cases, McHenry County provides good access to public records. In my experience, whenever an issue/problem is brought to the county's attention; it is welcomed and addressed.Where the county continues to fail is in making the public aware of specific issues as they deal with them. These "issues" often cause great harm to an unsuspecting public. The county could address this via its website; and, this need not create additional costs. They could also provide greater transparency by making all committee meetings available by audio, just as they do for county board meetings.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?McHenry County Board 창#8364;#8220; elected and served 3.5 non-consecutive termsSeneca Township Supervisor 창#8364;#8220; elected and served 4 terms.Appointed to fill an unexpired term: No.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?On 9/15/15 I presented the county board with a "citizens initiated" document outlining 7 examples where the potential for millions in taxpayer savings could be realized. The current board has ignored the offering.There is a misguided belief by some that government needs to be involved in creating jobs. Nothing could be further from reality. What we need are public officials who understand that if they reduce the burdens they place on the job creators, business and industry will come. Incentives and programs just cost taxpayers; bringing temporary businesses that stay only as long as the incentives continue창#8364;brvbar; example, Motorola!Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Phyllis Schlafly: Creator of the Eagle Forum: an educational publication for/and between citizens and their elected officials.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?When confronted with a job/task창#8364;brvbar; get it done properly and treat it as another of life's valued learning experiences!If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?It took a lifetime to believe in myself. Now that I have that confidence I am "spending it" at every opportunity.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?It is a toss-up between bookkeeping and civics. Both have been key elements in everything I have done throughout my life.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?No children however, I would advise them: Do not be afraid of failure. Make it a positive learning experience and move on with life.