Hopefuls address water, transportation concerns
Four Republicans are vying in the Tuesday primary for two spots representing District 3 on the McHenry County Board. Incumbents Nick Provenzano and Mary Donner face challenges from Kurt Milliman and James Schlader. Here are their thoughts on issues selected from a Daily Herald questionnaire sent to each candidate.
Q:Transportation continues to be a major concern throughout McHenry County. If elected, what would you do to expedite improved transportation funding?
Donner: As a county board member, I realize that our ability to improve transportation is, unfortunately, seated with the governor of this state. Of all the road projects that have federal funds marked for McHenry County projects, not a dime has been invested by the state. If the state doesn't pitch in, we lose it all. I think that we are taking a proactive stand with the bond issue, so that we can get started on some of the projects that require immediate attention.
Milliman: Did not reply.
Provenzano: I will continue to find new solutions to transportation funding such as the bonding program introduced this year. I will also continue lobbying Springfield's legislative leaders for our fair share of state funding. As a member of the McHenry County Road Warrior effort, I feel we made progress in our recent lobbying trip and our efforts to have funding restored in the new state capitol plan for '08. I have and will continue to work on a bi-partisan basis with our federal legislators to secure funding for critical road development and to ensure the county's highway fund balance is sufficient to give the us greater flexibility to provide local matching funds for federal dollars should they be made available.
Schlader: I would promote working with the state legislature to improve funding assistance. We need to keep pressure on Springfield and the governor through public action and publicity. We may need to go to the voters with a resolution requiring the state to help fund specific county projects.
Q:Experts predict portions of McHenry County will not have adequate water supplies by 2030. How will you ensure the region has enough water?
Donner: We are working on conservation design as a specific tool to aid in defining those areas that are precious to us as areas of recharge, and developing the land to protect those areas. Additionally, we are working with the elected officials of our townships and the cities to produce a 2030 Plan that will address countywide plans that will encourage sustainability and conservation.
Milliman: Did not reply.
Provenzano: I will continue to support the efforts we started this year with the addition of a Water Resource Manager that will create a regionally based comprehensive Groundwater Protection Program. It will be critical that this protection have participation by all the municipalities in the county. I will also continue to support the Groundwater Protection Task Force and their efforts to have a protection program completed by spring 2009. I also support the proposed Conservation Design Ordinance that will provide new methodologies for environmentally friendly development in the county.
Schlader: We have a County Resource Management Plan that should help regulate the number of new wells per each new development based upon current supply vs. new demands.