James Zay: 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: Carol StreamWebsite: www.jimzay.comTwitter: JimZay6Facebook: Jim Zay for DuPage County BoardOffice sought: DuPage County board District 6 Age: 50Family: Katie - wife (27 years) Jimmy - son (17) Tyler - son (13)Occupation: Vice President - Service StampingsEducation: Immaculate Conception High School Elmhurst College BA in Political Science and HistoryCivic involvement: Carol Stream Travel Softball Baseball Association - President Knights of Columbus Glenbard North Booster Club Du Page Pads Carol Stream Park District Youth CoachElected offices held: Du Page County Board 1999 - present Du Page Water Commission - Chairman 2011- present Du Page Forest Preserve Commissioner - 1999 - 2002 Wayne Township Trustee - 1997 - 1999Questions 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 run for this office so I can help make a difference in our community. As we see the State and Federal governments continue to fight and not work for the people, local government more than ever has to work for the people. The County of Du Page continues to face pressures from the State's inability to balance a budget and we need leaders on the board who are willing to make tough decisions that is the best for our County and not be pressured by outside issues. With raising a family in the County I want to make Du Page County the best places for not only for my family but for all of the people that live here. We continue to see the rise of the opioid epidemic here in Du Page and need to double our efforts to make a difference in the community. We need to work with local schools, law enforcement and our municipalities to inform residents on the signs and dangers of this drug. The County has also joined with other counties to go after the drug manufactures and doctors who are over producing and prescribing these drugs. We must continue to look at the budget and make sure we are not wasting the taxpayers money.What is your stance on county board members' pay? Too high, too low, just right? Would you propose any changes?I feel Board members pay is right for the position they hold. This is not a 9 Ãcirc;#144; 5 job, unfortunately some Board members do not do as much work as others as a senior board member I am involved more in the running of the County and as the Vice Chairman of the Board, Chairman of the Stormwater Committee and Chairman of the Du Page Water Commission I help oversee the operation of these departments. I attend more than the weekly scheduled meetings and deal with a wide range of issues as they arise on a weekly basis. Attendance is a huge factor on who is actually doing their job and dedicated to the office my attendance over all my years on the Board is 95%.With DuPage County's budget being squeezed by the state funding reductions, what initiatives would you support to increase revenue and/or save money?The County has not raised its portion of your property taxes in the last 10 years. We continue to look for ways to streamline County government but now with the State coming in and taking away revenue that the County has always received makes this task is even harder. The County has cut 40 million out of its budget since 2010. We need to look at new revenue sources. I first would look at a countywide hotel/motel tax on rooms rented in the County. This tax would mostly effect out of town visitors and could generate additional revenue. We need to push the State to increase the motor fuel tax which has not been raised in over 20 years. A small increase in this tax could generate additional revenue for construction and repair of the roadways which are more congested every day. We need to look into internet sales and make sure that we are getting our share to tax dollars from purchases made online in Du Page County. Any revenues need to be user based not from a property tax increase to the residents.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?The County has been the leader when it comes to the Chairman's ACT initiative. We have eliminated 4 government boards with 2 more coming this year, saving tax payers money. I think the County needs to lead on this issue. We need to make other governments realize that we all get tax dollars from the same pockets and the current system is driving young homeowners and Seniors out of Du Page. Other governments school boards, park district, etc need to look at ways to cut budgets and do more with less like the County has done. By starting to work together we can look at joint purchasing which will save money, making sure we are not duplicating services.What initiatives, if any, do you have in mind for your specific county board district?District 6 is the largest district in the County. We need to continue to work with the Forest Preserve on expanding usable land and new paths for the residents. The Du Page Airport Authority needs to come off of the property tax rolls. We need to continue to work on curbing the heroin and opioid problem we have in the County, need to educate kids and parents of the dangers and warning signs of addiction. As Chairman of the Du Page Water Commission we are starting a major project to bring Lake Michigan water to the Village of Bartlett. Continue to make improvements to our roads to make them as safe as possible for our motorists.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?I have worked hard on the County Board to make a difference. On property taxes, the County portion of your taxes has not been increased in 10 years. We have been the State model for consolidation of governments and 4 units of government have been abolished. We need to work with other governments to reduce the burden on our taxpayers to find ways to share services and get rid of more layers of government. I have accomplished a lot of work in our District. We have spent over 50 million on Stormwater projects in Bartlett - Beaver Pond, Carol Stream - Armstrong Park and Warrenville - West Branch Du Page River. We replaced the Warrenville Bridge and rebuilt Gary Ave. I will continue to get funding for Stormwater projects and road projects in the District. I will push for more of our schools to join in on heroin our prevention for our kids. As Chairman of the Water Commission we have taken an agency that had to borrow 80 million dollars 8 years ago, to a agency that has reduced staff costs, streamlined operations and now has no debt and reserves to run the commission. We just negotiated a agreement to bring the Village of Bartlett Lake Michigan water starting in 2019.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Pope FrancisWhat is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?No matter how fast life goes you need to make time for your family.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Life doesn't give you do overs, so you need to learn from your mistakes and always be positive.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Government and History, taught me to get involved for issues you have a passion for and to not be afraid to fail.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?As a parent, I will give my children more than 1 piece of advice. Always treat people the way you would want to be treated.