Dist. 1 contenders share concerns

Three candidates -- Peter Grant, Gene Kryczka and Steve Skinner -- are facing off in the Democratic primary Feb. 5 for District 1 of the 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?

Peter Grant. As a 22-year resident of Antioch, I know the people in District 1 and I understand the culture of the lakes region. I know that I can do a good job of representing this community. I am not a professional politician, I am a working man and a family man who has seen the need for change. Change in the way we do business up here. I am inspired to bring about that change through my candidacy. This campaign is about empowering my community to literally change the face of politics in northern Lake County. My first priority will be to get to work on our roads.

Gene Kryczka. I am running for county board to reform property taxes, create a sensible policy for growth, and bring accountability and real-world experience to the county's fiscal procedures.

Steve 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.

Grant. We can make Lake County a greener county through public policy. The conversation starts in the county boardroom. The first thing that I would like to see would be stringent energy-saving measures adopted by all county-wide agencies. Starting with small things like not idling county vehicles for, say, more than 15 minutes at a time -- and using green technologies in all county buildings starting with the use of light bulbs. There are devices available on the market that can power down office equipment and vending machines, and reduce electricity use by almost 50 percent in the course of a year. We can save the county plenty of money by implementing these types of strategies and setting an example for the residents of the county to follow.

Kryczka. I would be an asset to the county board because of my business and computer background. I would lead the fight for property tax reform and protecting our seniors and children.

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?

Grant. Roads, roads, roads are the most pressing issue in Lake County. We live in one of the most affluent counties in the country and there is no excuse why we are driving on these cow paths that they call roads. Why is it that other counties such as DuPage get their fair share of state road dollars, and we in Lake County get passed over again and again? I will work with state Sen. Michael Bond, who by the way is the vice chairman of the State Transportation Committee, to get the road money that we so desperately need in northern Lake County.

Kryczka. The most pressing issue facing the county board is water management. From using Lake Michigan as a source for water without overburdening our communities to watershed management. I feel the flood plains can best be protected if they are not developed. I would support flood plain acquisition by the Lake County Forest Preserve District.

Skinner. The economy.

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

Grant. It's possible that a specialty such as geriatric medicine could be specialized in as long as it wasn't a budget-buster. This is an issue that I will need to look at in more detail to understand better.

Kryczka. The new Winchester House should remain a nursing home and specialize in senior care, in particular Alzheimer's disease. But we also need to attract enough private-pay residents to help absorb some of the cost.

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.