Q&A with Castro

1. 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?

To provide the effective leadership that my district is currently lacking. My constituents and the city of Elgin need an active, engaged and effective leader who will stand up and fight for important issues. I am eager to represent my constituents and Elgin on the Kane County Board. Transportation is my top priority. Increasing the mobility of residents in and out of my district is both needed and possible.

2. 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.

Currently in my district, there is a lack of communication between the Kane County Board and the citizens and city of Elgin. This lack of communication leaves the city and my constituents in the dark on how county policies affect them. When elected, I would act as a conduit between the county, my constituents and the city of Elgin. I will attend regular community, neighborhood, and city council meetings in my district to meet this objective.

3. Do you support moving all county offices to one home surrounding the judicial center? If so, what should be done with the current county government property and buildings on Batavia Avenue? If not, then what's the best use for the remaining acreage at the judicial center?

I am not in favor of moving all county offices to one home surrounding the judicial center. There are many opportunities to consolidate some offices together without having to spend millions of dollars in constructing new facilities. For example, the county's recorder's office, because of modernization, is an office we might consider merging with another county office. There are also many unanswered questions on how this would impact residents who live around the judicial center and how the increased traffic would impact the area. How much taxpayer money would this require? Since the county is seeing an explosion in growth, it makes sense for the remaining acreage at the judicial center be utilized for future expansions of the county jail (which has already exceeded capacity), sheriff's office, and even the judicial center. With the judicial center there is a need for a separate and secure entrance and exit for judges and jurors in order to limit their contact with the general public and defendants. However at this point, the county board needs to focus on how it is going to address economic and budgetary issues affecting the county first and foremost, before it can even think about studying the viability of having all government offices at the judicial center.

4. Kane County continues to experience a population explosion. What are the areas and services you believe will be most challenged by this growth? Where will the money come from to extend and increase services to these new residents?

All county services will be challenged by this continued growth. For instance, with an increase in population, unfortunately comes an increase in crime. The sheriff's office will need to hire more officers in order to expand its patrol of the county. With this need for expanded patrol there will also be a need to purchase new county police vehicles. In order to assist in funding the increase needs of each affected area, I will communicate and work with our state and federal lawmakers to help bring back dollars to fund the needs of the departments. It is essential that the county offices charged with keeping the citizens informed and safe receive the adequate funding needed to operate effectively and efficiently.

5. The county has taken a leadership role in studying the issue of long-term water supply maintenance and protection. What should the county's emphasis be in this area over the next few years? Explain.

By conserving water, not only do residents and businesses see a benefit in reduced water bills, they also help avert water pollution in lakes, rivers, and watersheds which are essential in sustainability of the county's water supply. One way to do this is by the county working together with developers to ensure parking lots are engineered so that water is absorbed, rather than running off as stormwater. This could be done by using permeable paving materials, as the county uses in front of the county building, or in planted areas designed to absorb water around the parking lots. Another area of emphasis is to educate constituents, business and municipalities on the importance of water conservation. For example, instead of using city water businesses and homeowners can store rain water by using rain catch barrels and use it in the irrigation of landscaping and plants. For municipalities, water conservation can help ease the overloading of sewer systems which in turn overflow into the lakes and rivers polluting them. Educating and working with our constituents and municipalities will help the county in its efforts in water supply sustainability and protection.

6. Transportation issues continue to be a major concern to residents. How would you judge the county's response to their demands so far? What would you consider to be of highest county priority in this area and how would you fund its delivery?

The county's response has been lack luster and inept. There has been a failure to effectively communicate with the people who can help us the most, our state and federal legislators. These are the individuals who can bring back dollars from our federal highway bill and state capital bill. Just as I would increase communication between the county and the city on behalf of my district and, as in question 4, I will communicate and work with my state and federal legislators to bring back transportation dollars to the district. Another question to be asked in regards to transportation is why Kane County isn't contributing to the funding of Ride-In-Kane? After the new mass transit bill was passed, a special meeting was held at the Riverside Club in Geneva to discuss the distribution of the extra sales tax revenue. At this meeting, the chairman made note that the county board would contribute a portion of the extra revenue to Ride-in-Kane. At a recent RTA public hearing, I was informed by a Ride-in-Kane administrator that the county does not contribute to its funding as previously proposed by the chairman. Why? If other municipalities and service organizations are contributing, the county should as well.

7. Not including those issues already identified above, is there another issue you believe will affect the county or your district over the next four years? If so, define it and explain how you would like to see it addressed.

Fiscal responsibility. The county has seen a steady increase in fees paid to outside consultants and lobbyists during Karen McConnaughay's tenure as board chairman. Why? Don't we have a legislative committee, comprised of county board members, who regularly communicate with state and federal lawmakers on the needs of the county? Don't we have staff that can answer the same questions posed to these outside consultants? When elected, I will closely review previous years' budgets and conduct a comprehensive analysis to determine where costs have increased, why they have increased, and determine what cuts, if any, are needed. I will also propose that we reduce, if not eliminate contracts with outside consultants and lobbyists.

8. Please list the names of all relatives employed by or involved in contracts with Kane County, their relationship to you and their position or area of business.

I am unaware of any relatives being employed by or involved in contracts with Kane County.