Michael Dobosiewicz: 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: WarrenvilleWebsite: michaeldobodupage6.comTwitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: DuPage County Board District 6 Age: 37Family: I have a wife of 10 years and a 3 year old daughter.Occupation: IT ConsultantEducation: I have an Associates in Arts from College of DuPage and a BA in philosophy from University of Iowa.Civic involvement: Former Animal Control Officer.Current Vice President of Summerlakes Homeowners Association board.Member of Milton Township CERT.Elected offices held: Precinct CommitteemanQuestions Answers What is your stance on county board members' pay? Is it too high, too low, or just right? Would you propose any changes?County board members pay is high when compared with other counties in the surrounding areas. This is a part time position with no real tracking of hours spent on the job. An accurate way of keeping track of hours spent should be looked at before pay increases are on the table.Do you think county board members should receive pensions? Why or why not? If not, would you be willing to pledge not to take one?County board members who work part time should receive no pension benefit. The pay should be enough. Part-time employees at the county are also not entitled to medical, dental and vision benefits, some county board members take these benefits and i do not believe this to be fair. If the county wants to have a strict set of policies for employees the county board members should follow suit. I would pledge not to take a pension or benefits.With DuPage County's budget being squeezed by state funding cuts and other factors, what initiatives would you support to increase revenue and/or save money?The DuPage County Fairgrounds are a gem of the county and need to be expanded and improved upon to have a good and viable venue that could see a much needed increase in revenue. Another point of concern is the fact that the county is spending close to 300,000 dollars on lobbyists. Where is the need for this and what has it produced. County board members and the Chairman should be doing the lobbying on behalf of the county. This is not a wise use of tax payer money.What are your thoughts about the county's Accountability, Consolidation and Transparency Initiative? What role should DuPage play in efforts to streamline and consolidate local government?Consolidation seems to be all the buzz and if this is good for the tax payer and it relieves the tax burden while not impairing services that we all rely on then I'm for it but it can also be a political tool that sounds good but accomplishes little. Where is the significant consolidation been in the last two years? How much has the county saved with this? As far as I'm concerned this has been more political than economic.What initiatives, if any, do you have in mind for your specific county board district?I live in Warrenville and am proud to be a part of this community that values bicycle travel and flood mitigation projects. County board district 6 has a wide expanse of space and a good trail system for bicycle travel but this could be expanded using Warrenville as a model for all of district 6. Public transportation also needs to be available so people who don't have viable transportation can get to work. Investment in infrastructure to alleviate flooding in the district also needs to be a priority especially with the extremes that we have seen in recent weather patterns.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?A very real concern is the convalescent center and the most vulnerable in this community. Everything should be done to make sure this vital and important resource remains in tact with no consideration of privatization even on the table. I would make sure that this would never be sold to a corporation in order to save a few dollars at the expense of people who need the most help.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.I have always liked Joe Biden, he is a guy who can reach across the aisle.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?I learned that love and respect is a two way street you get neither if you don't give them.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would have went farther in college, education helps one grow.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?I always enjoyed American history since it was such a great story and how it can be critiqued to make society better.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Failure is inevitable it is how you come back from it.