Opinion

Endorsement: DuPage County Board, GOP, District 5

Posted January 17, 2008 10:00 pm

Daily Herald Editorial Board

Republican voters in DuPage County Board District 5 have a choice between three candidates for two board seats in their party's primary. This district covers all or parts of Aurora, Lisle, Naperville and Warrenville.

Incumbent James D. Healy is an easy choice for one of these seats. He has a strong record on the board, thoroughly grasps complex issues, is committed to open government and has a number of good ideas on how to improve efficiency in government while saving tax dollars. For one, he wants to examine ways to reduce the size of the county board -- a proposal we strongly support. He wants user fees raised to bring in more revenue. He opposes increases in county board member pay and favors eliminating stipends, which he has refused to accept for himself. Healy also has an impressive list of projects he wants done for this district.

It is a more difficult choice between Joseph Wozniak, a DuPage County Regional School Board trustee, and former Naperville City Council member Gerry A. Cassioppi.

Wozniak came very close to winning a seat in the 2006 GOP primary for county board. He believes the county can be run more like a business without sacrificing services.

But we endorse Cassioppi on the basis of his extensive governmental experience and strong grasp of issues.

Cassioppi served Naperville with distinction, both as a city councilman and former Naperville Unit District 203 school board member. His city governing experience is a key qualification, as an important part of county board governing is developing strong relationships between county and municipal government.

He believes any increase in county sales taxes should be used only to fund immediate needs and not as a long-term funding source. He wants the county to explore other revenue-raising measures such as a hotel-motel tax. Cassioppi wants county government to make sacrifices with any tax hike, including reductions in board salaries.

No Democrat has filed to run for a seat in DuPage County Board District 5.

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