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Linda Pasetti-Olson: Candidate Profile

Kane County Board District 8 (Republican)

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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: MontgomeryWebsite: NoneTwitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Kane County Board District 8 Age: 69Family: Bethany Young (daughter)Kimberly Foxworthy (daughter)Rick 'RO' Olson (husband)Francis Flammang (father)Occupation: Retired (Information Technology)Education: Naperville High SchoolWaubonsee Community CollegeCivic involvement: Citizen Lobbyist in Springfield DC (Transportation Issues, Personal Rights)Elected offices held: Precinct Committeeman AU04 (appointed in 2010, elected in 2012 and 2016)Aurora Township Republicans - Vice Chair (currently)Questions Answers Do you support or oppose construction of the Longmeadow Parkway, including the use of a toll for the crossing over the Fox River?I support construction of Longmeadow Parkway. Improved transportation options bring needed jobs and commerce benefits, as well as relieving congestion in communities. Having user fees to finance construction will assure that people who use and profit from the bridge will be the ones paying for it. User fees for Northern Kane and Southern McHenry County drivers helps to avoid raising taxes for all Kane County residents, many of whom will never use this bridge, especially residents in my area. This project has already moved too far along to be abandoned.Do you agree with the Kane County State's Attorney, Kane County Public Defender and Kane County Sheriff that they require more staff? If so, where will the money come from to support that additional staff?Attending several recent County Board meetings, I listened to requests from each of these departments for increased staff. While they make a good case, adding personnel is not always the right thing to do when property owners are asking for their taxes to be reduced. I would rather see these departments restructure some of their other expenses, instead of asking for more money. Diversion training and intervention techniques could also reduce the need for more personnel. In the recently passed DuPage County balanced budget, rather than increasing expenses and headcount in their State's Attorney office, they reduced headcount by 2-3.Do you support a completely frozen Kane County property tax levy, or would you support a non-referendum increase of the county's property tax levy to factor in new construction?I completely support keeping the County property tax levy frozen. I would also like to see other taxing bodies refrain from increases as well. Many of the people I have listened to say they cannot afford to pay higher property taxes. School districts, colleges, and their pension expenses account for 68% of our property taxes, leaving 32% for all the other taxing bodies. I will work with the Kane County Board to do our share to reduce spending whenever possible, while maintaining services. Non-referendum tax increases take voter choice out of the picture, and so I don't like that option.What is your philosophy regarding the use of forest preserve district property? Are projects like the proposed cross country course for the former Settler's Hill Landfill appropriate?Without a doubt, the Forest Preserves in Kane County are many, varied, and a great resource. As for building a cross county track at Settler's Hill, with a projected cost of four million dollars and no profits expected for the first five years, if ever, careful thought should go into this project. A world class track and field course is not really a priority at this time, when so many other projects and requests need funding.Do you believe Kane County's elected officials, including the board, are fairly compensated? Or is it time to explore raises for all the elected offices?I completely support keeping the County property tax levy frozen. I would also like to see other taxing bodies refrain from increases as well. Many of the people I have listened to say they cannot afford to pay higher property taxes. School districts, colleges, and their pension expenses account for 68% of our property taxes, leaving 32% for all the other taxing bodies. I will work with the Kane County Board to do our share to reduce spending whenever possible, while maintaining services. Non-referendum tax increases take voter choice out of the picture, and so I don't like that option.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Traffic congestion on main roads in Aurora and Montgomery is a daily problem for everyone. Specifically along Montgomery Road at Hill Ave and Farnsworth Ave, and the Orchard Rd / Route 30 corridors, improvements are needed now. Rebuilding or widening these roads is being considered but more immediate fixes are needed. Adding turn lanes at these intersections and possibly a traffic light at Montgomery Road and Farnsworth are options that could be done sooner, with less expense, and with less disruption of traffic flow.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.My inspiration comes from people I know and work with on a personal level. Their integrity, honesty, and family values are traits that inspire me.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Keep busy, be productive, and don't do anything you wouldn't want to see in the newspapers.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would take better care of myself by exercising more, eating better, and spend more time with my family.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Math and Language were both my favorite. Communication is needed for almost every interaction in life. Math is key to both personal and professional success.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?You can't always expect life to be fair, but you should always expect to do your fair share.