Q&A with Steve Skinner
Three candidates -- Peter Grant, Gene Kryczka and Steve Skinner -- are facing off in the Democratic primary Feb. 5 for District 1 Lake County Board. The winner will challenge Republican Linda Petersen in November to take outgoing incumbent Judy Martini's seat.
District 1 represents Antioch, portions of Fox Lake, Spring Grove, Lake Villa, Lindenhurst and Old Mill Creek.
The Daily Herald asked candidates to share their views on important issues concerning voters.
Q. Why are you running for this office, whether for re-election or election the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you, and if so, what? What will be your main priority?
SKINNER: I am running for this office because I care about the place I call home and I believe that I can make a difference in Lake County's future. What motivates me most is eliminating government waste, inefficiency and the undue costs associated with such, while increasing the quality of service provided. My motivation is to correct our flawed property tax assessment process. My motivation is to create jobs, opportunity and economic development. My motivation is to streamline our county government, reduce unnecessary expenditures and make our local government more efficient, less bloated and more user friendly toward the people who actually pay for it all. My motivation is to preserve and protect our natural resources so that future generations will be able to enjoy them as we have; along with finding and implementing alternative energy solutions.
Q. For incumbents and non-incumbents. If you are an incumbent, describe your main contributions. Tell us of important initiatives you've led. If you are not an incumbent, tell us what contributions you would make.
SKINNER: I would work hard and bring to the table my experience in business, in finance, in life and my analytical skills. I don't know all the answers but I will do my best to try and find them. I will do whatever it takes to do the best job I can do.
Q. What is the most pressing issue currently facing the county board?
SKINNER: The economy.
Q:Should a new Winchester House focus on a particular health-care specialty? If so, what specialty? If not, why?
SKINNER: I have no preconceived notions and am open to examining any and all possibilities to provide quality care to the residents. I see a need for the continuation of Winchester House, and if there are additional uses that can help make Winchester House more productive and sustainable, then they must be considered.
Q:What should the forest preserve do with the Fort Sheridan golf course?
SKINNER: I originally opposed the plan for this property in 2004 and did not buy into the estimated construction costs, nor did I think the county should be in the golf course business (I still don't). This is a perfect example of the kind of poor government that has prompted me to run for office. The golf courses are losing money so why throw good money after bad? There is talk now that Highland Park wants to develop the course and the forest preserve wants to give them the property and be done with it. That would be taking a bad decision and making it worse. Let's assume this happens. Highland Park gets the property for nothing, spends some money to rebuild and then will get the benefit of whatever revenue is produced. The county sees nothing. No property taxes, no sales revenue and no real guarantee that more homes won't be built on the site. I think the property should be leased or sold with the caveat that no homes could ever be built on the site. Return the property to the tax rolls, let a company that runs golf courses lease it (or buy it) and run it. The county would have a lesson learned but will not have given anything away.
Q. Should the forest preserve board accelerate the pace of opening facilities to the public? Please explain.
SKINNER: I think the commitment should be to open facilities as quickly as common sense, creativity and fiduciary responsibility dictate.
Q. Should the forest preserve district build new headquarters? If so, why and where? If not, why not?
SKINNER: No. I have not heard one cogent argument for a new facility other than the old one is old, had some mold and that's it. The forest preserve should look to see if other, existing facilities are available for purchase that could accommodate needs. Also, when one looks at the recent example of the maintenance facility that they wanted to build, the initial estimate was $11 million but that jumped to $22 million. We need to tighten the belt, reduce spending and start paying down the debt service before we can responsibly start spending millions of dollars to build buildings that we cannot afford at this time.
Q. Should the forest preserve board use eminent domain to acquire the last missing link in the Des Plaines River Trail? Why or why not?
SKINNER: I do not endorse the use of eminent domain but recognize that it does have a place. However, I do not feel taking someone's property is justified in order to build a bike trail.
Q. Are there additional steps, beside those already under way, that the county board can or should take to provide traffic congestion relief?
SKINNER: Of course and there is a difference between trying to avoid micro-managing and no oversight at all. I would like to tour the new traffic management center to get a better idea of how it works. There are some simple things that can be done, for example at Route 45 and Millburn road, re-time the lights and allow southbound traffic to use the shoulder. In other areas, the county insists on right in right out for access to shopping centers, etc. Some of this makes no sense. Put the state on notice that some roads in immediate need will be fixed by the county and that we will pursue reimbursement Reduce total county budget expenditures by 3 percent and shift that savings into funding road improvement. This would provide nearly $20 million for road improvements that could then be leveraged to secure up to $100 million in road construction bonds to pay for a lot of road improvements without raising taxes. I also believe that we need to seriously address expanding mass transit as part of any "transportation" plans for the county in the future.
Q. Is there any issue of unique or particular interest to your district?
SKINNER: The Chain O' Lakes because it is one of the largest inland bodies of water in the U.S. and is an economic engine for the communities that surround the lakes, but also an ecological gem that needs to be protected and preserved. District 1 also runs along the Wisconsin border and faces increasing pressure from Wisconsin to draw businesses and jobs away from Lake County and we are falling behind competitively when it comes to roads, jobs and affordable housing. The health of the people who live in the district. There is a definite need for a hospital and time is of the essence here. The review board seems to have developed state legislature foot-dragging-itis and this is unconscionable in my opinion. They delay and delay like it is no big deal. Well, the health and safety of the people is a big deal.