Brian Dahl: 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: North AuroraWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Twitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Kane County Board District 6 Age: 45Family: Two daughters: Jami Dahl, age 20 student at University of Central Michigan and Cori Dahl, age 18 student at Waubonsee Community College.Occupation: Director of Membership Services, Painters District Council No. 30Education: Master of Public Administration, University of Baltimore, 2007Bachelor of Arts, National Labor College, George Meaney Center for Labor Studies, Emphasis in Union Leadership and Administration, 2004Certificate of Completion, U.S. Department of Labor/Painters District Council No. 30 Joint Apprenticeship Training Program, 1993Waubonsee Community College, 1989-1990West Aurora High School, 1989Civic involvement: Vice-President (since 2007), Delegate (since 1999), and Recording Secretary (2004-2007), Fox Valley Building Construction Trades Council, Aurora, IL.Member, Board of Directors, Fox Valley United Way, Aurora, IL since 2013.Member, Board of Directors, Aurora Regional Chamber of Commerce, Aurora, IL 2010-2012.Member, Board of Directors (2006-2014), and Manager/Coach (2004-2014), Aurora Area Girls Softball, Aurora, IL.Coach, Aurora Boys Baseball, Aurora, IL, 1994-1994.Coach, Basketball (Boys 1994-1997; Girls 2007-2012), Annunciation BVM School, Aurora, IL.Parishioner, Annunciation BVM (since 1994, serve as an Usher, Eucharistic Minister, and member of the Athletic Committee).Elected offices held: Candidate did not respond.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 this project. We need to reduce congestion and traffic delays, and the Longmeadow Parkway project addresses those needs as well as creating economic benefits, job creation, greater access for emergency responders, and a separated/shared bicycle/pedestrian path along the entire corridor.By applying tolls to cross the Fox River portion of the corridor, those dollars collected will be used to pay off the bonding for this project. The environmental impact study demonstrates efforts to replace trees (for every one taken down, two will be planted), and establish new wetlands and mitigation to protect endangered species.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?There is need for more support in these areas. Those offices have all submitted budgets with significant additional funding needs, and these offices already make up a large portion of the County's budget. We need to learn what is essential for staffing, programming, and addressing unfunded mandates. We need to look at other revenue sources for viable resourcing; this may include increasing or creating new user fees through Court Services and other fees that can legally be collected by those who use such services. We also need to look for grants, as we have done through the Forest Preserve District.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 will work with my fellow Board members and County Departments to do the best we can to avoid raising the tax levy. 68.5% of the tax bill goes towards schools, with the County portion making up only 4% of the tax bill. Tax relief has meant that many sacrifices have been made, such as deferring millions of dollars in maintenance of public property and limits on forest preserve expansion. Avoiding more expensive repairs in the longer term may require balancing our support for tax relief with our responsibilities as custodians of public services, property, resources.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?When the Landfill was originally proposed, there was a promise to eventually have the property used for recreational facilities, and the County has a strong record of developing such facilities, like the Kane County Cougars. Currently, engineering studies are being conducted at this site to determine if a cross country course is feasible. The proposed cross country course appears by all accounts to be a worthwhile project and I look forward to supporting it once all the necessary planning occurs.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?As I stated at our May 2016 Board meeting, when I voted not to increase salaries of elected officials, good arguments could be made for and against salary increases. Elected officials have not had wage increases since 2006. As a labor leader, I believe in incremental increases; but, as we struggle to resource departments, my constituents believe elected officials as paid adequately. If the matter arises again, I would look at comparisons of similar counties and consider proposals fairly.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?First, the County must provide first-rate services to its residents. The Board should provide responsible and timely governance, working with the County staff to see that the County's agencies are properly staffed and resourced.Second, we must marshal the tools we have to create and retain good-paying jobs, revitalize economically depressed industries, repair and replace aged and weathered roads and other public facilities, and transform the unemployed and underemployed into confident consumers of goods and services.Third, we must encourage a robust conversation about the County's housing future, including housing development and reducing the impact of foreclosures on communities.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.President Bill Clinton. "Let us all take more responsibility not only for ourselves and our families but for our communities and our country."What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Respect. It's okay to disagree but respect everyone and their difference of opinions.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I'd like to keep that do-over for later in life. I may need it.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Because of Speech and Theater, I feel comfortable speaking in front of people, which has helped me throughout my career.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Work hard at whatever you do. You will find reward in one fashion or another.