Candidates say traffic a countywide priority

The primary for the Democratic candidate for the Lake County Board seat in District 2 is between Diane Hewitt, a precinct committeeman and Waukegan Township Highway Commissioner Mark Stricklin. The winner will face Republican Randall Whitmore on Nov. 4.

District 2 serves part of Gurnee and all of Wadsworth, Beach Park, Zion and Winthrop Harbor.

The following are the candidates' responses to a Daily Herald questionnaire.

Q. Are there additional steps, beside those already under way, that the county board can or should take to provide traffic congestion relief?

Hewitt. As a first step in the county, cooperation with municipalities could coordinate the timing of traffic signals for more efficient traffic flow.

Stricklin. Our present system of selecting projects comes from the popular vote of the most effected communities. Each municipality or government has a vote and the popular vote wins. There needs to be a system in place that allows less popular projects to have a chance to win, they need just as badly to be put on the list of projects.

Q. Is there any issue of unique or particular interest to your district?

Hewitt. More than one third of District 2 is unincorporated, therefore the decisions made by the board have more impact here than other districts. This does not mean District 2 requires board attention, it needs a commissioner sympathetic to the diverse and unique problems it faces.

Stricklin. District 2 has the unique combination of suburb and rural property. We need to balance the need for expanding open space and growth.

Q. Should a new Winchester House focus on a particular health-care specialty? If so, what specialty? If not, why?

Hewitt. Yes, temporary assisted living and physical therapy facilities.

Stricklin. The Winchester House can focus on the Alzheimer's specialty. That would be great. But we cannot limit access to that facility based solely on that specialty. In other words, we need to serve the whole community not just one segment. Everyone is paying taxes, everyone should have access to Winchester House as needed.