Lake County board hopefuls air issues
Property tax assessment reform, road improvements and Lake Michigan water were key topics discussed by the Democratic candidates running for the Lake County Board District 1.
Peter Grant, 55, Gene Kryczka Jr., 36, and Steve Skinner, 48, all of Antioch, participated in their first debate Wednesday at the Antioch Meeting Hall.
District 1 includes Antioch and portions of Fox Lake, Spring Grove, Lake Villa, Lindenhurst and Old Mill Creek.
The Feb. 5 primary winner faces Republican Linda Pedersen in November for the seat left vacant by Judy Martini. Martini has represented the district 14 years.
Skinner said property tax reform is overdue. He said the assessment process should be standardized, the appeal period should be expanded from 30 to 60 days and a citizen should serve on the appeal board.
"It is critical to our future and what I will fight for on the county board and already have begun to address," he said.
Kryczka said taxes should be fair, transparent and accountable. Assessments should be done every four years and not annually, he said, and the chief assessor should be elected so he is accountable to the people.
Grant disagreed that the chief assessor should be elected.
"I can't sit here and make promises that taxes will go down, but I can guarantee you that if elected I will represent everyone and do the best I can to make the system as fair for all homeowners," he said.
Improving roads in Lake County is a personal issue for Grant, who said the roads are a nightmare he lives with as a truck driver. But he said if state and local leaders work together they will get road money Lake County desperately needs.
Skinner said the county has done a good job to maintain its roads, but state roads are the problem.
"What we need to do is tell the state, 'Look if you don't help us, we will do it ourselves but we will get paid back," he said. "There is a solution to fix the roads. But we have to do it ourselves."
"Hoping Rod Blagojevich will pay us back is not a good idea," Kryczka responded.
The best solution, he said, would be a contract with the state in which the state pays the county to improve roads.
The candidates also addressed Lake County's supply of fresh drinking water and whether Lake Michigan is a viable option.
Grant said there is a window of opportunity now to access Lake Michigan water as states to the west also seek access.
"It's an important issue that we have to look at, and we have to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity we have," Grant said.
Skinner said the county can bring Lake Michigan water into the region but needs to be cautious as to how the water is distributed.
"We need responsible conservation efforts to start now," he said.
The District 1 candidates will meet from 1 to 3 p.m. Jan. 19 in the Lake Villa Democrats and Independents "Meet the Candidates Forum" at the Lake Villa District Library, 1001 E. Grand Ave., Lake Villa.