Jarett Sanchez: 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: CarpentersvilleWebsite: www.sanchezforkane.comTwitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Kane County Board District 24 Age: 33Family: Two sons: Austin (11) and Elliott (8).Occupation: Aquatic pet operations techEducation: Candidate did not respond.Civic involvement: Democratic Precinct Committeeman(Current)Carpentersville Parks CommissionJuly 2015-PresentSchweitzer Environmental Center BoardApril 2015-PresentKane County Election Judge2014-2015Tai Chi InstructorJune 2015-Present(Chen Yang Style Short Forms, Internal Exercises)Next Step Podcast, Host2009-2011(A talk show about localization, education, and civic empowerment)Trivium Binder Project, Creator2011-2012(An online educational resource for self-directed learners)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 oppose the Longmeadow Toll Bridge project. I've been actively involved in the Stop Longmeadow group since April 2015. It's an oversized and underfunded project that doesn't fully address the problem of unchecked growth in the area. We're putting a $140M band-aid on an open wound, and not enough local leaders and citizens are discussing the projected growth numbers outside of bridge-building. On the other side, current growth figures show little to no growth, which means less of a reason to spend so much money and disrupt so many homes just to reduce commute times twice a day.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?I can agree with arguments on both sides of the issue, but we have to be very careful with our expenditures. I think we need more eyes on the budget following the paper trail of where and how the money is spent, seeing what inessential items can be cut, and looking at offices such as these to determine how much staff increase and extra help we can feasibly allot. Those people are doing so much with lesser means than they hope for so it's not an easy position to be in for anybody.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?Taxes are too high, everyone knows it and we have to come to grips with the root causes. At this point, government officials should be doing everything in their power to reduce spending, spend more wisely, and increase transparency and awareness about how the money, our money, is spent. Keeping the levy frozen is a good start, let's keep moving in a positive direction.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?My philosophy on forest preserves is simple: preserve the forests. Any usage outside of that should be scrutinized. The purpose is to allow people to connect more with nature and avoid being constantly surrounded by more roads and more houses. Silence and beauty are nourishing to the human spirit and our forest preserves should reflect that.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 do believe that elected officials are compensated fairly. For one, it's a service job, so you should consider the payscale secondary to the function of serving the public good. Also, public opinion of government is at a low point right now so asking for a raise in this climate is a risky move, and to some it's almost insulting. We need to change the public image of government through good works and sound marketing strategies before we can ask for more money.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Fitness. The Kane Fit For Kids Program is a doorway into better health for the whole county. I think there are great opportunities at the community level to really educate people on low-cost ways to stay fit.Local Food. From the local food hub that the county's Agriculture Committee is working on, to things like the Shared Harvest Co-op forming in Elgin, there is a great demand for local, organic produce which will create jobs and feed families. If we can make it affordable for those in poverty to eat well then we've won.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Bernie Sanders. Love or hate his policies, he did it right and ran a campaign of and for the people. Now it's our turn.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?That it's worth fighting for what you know is right.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Saying goodbye to an old friend.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Photography gave me a freethinking perspective which is still with me today. How you compose a picture, or your life, makes all the difference.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?The Jim Rohn quote, "You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with." Choose wisely.