Q&A with Crittenden

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 is that? What will be your main priority in office?

The Lake County board, in theory, is a group of people elected to office by the taxpayers of this county who are entrusted to act in the best interests of the constituents. In this county we have people working multiple jobs to make ends meet, fixed incomes and unemployment. The poverty level rose in 2007 from 2006. The raise the board gave themselves should have been voted on by the taxpayers. Are the out of touch, don't they care, or is it just greed? I am an upset taxpayer wanting some type of reality, accountability and trust in the people who are voted into office. I have never run for any office, however, it is simply time to do something or shut up and keep putting up with the same old politics. More people need to do the same.

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.

No promises. I cannot say I will make an impact on the board if elected. I am not a politician nor do I believe in lies for votes. What I can say is that I will listen to the taxpayers of this county, lobby that there be term limits to those who are elected to this office, and keep in mind that the voters of District 2 put me in office to represent their interests.

3. Should a new golf course be built at the Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve? Why or why not? If so, what type of course should be built? If not, what about the promise to residents and the Army?

A golf course is required by the dead that transferred the property from the Army.

4. In November, Lake County residents will be asked to approve a $185 million plan that will raise money for land purchases and development. Is this the right economic time to make such a request? Why or why not?

I believe it is time to freeze spending. The district's Horizon newsletter has gone green. This is an environmental statement that has actually cost the taxpayers nearly an extra $23,000. Commissioner Steve Carlson calls this amount chump change compared to the message it sent to the public. The poverty line for a family of four is roughly $20,600. Invest in more land? How about creating job programs or subsidizing some of the county agencies that the state has cut back funding? Let's help people of the county who could use some of this chump change. It is hard for some people to realize but if you cannot afford the basics like housing or food, a day at the forest preserve is not going to be that enjoyable.

5. If that proposal passes, where (geographically) would the forest board focus its immediate energies and money? Why?

Our priorities are in the wrong place.

6. Within the next few years, Lake County will have a large enough population to allow the forest board to split off from the county board and become its own agency. Should it do so? Why or why not?

Do we need another government agency with wages, benefits and a retirement plan? Is this to be just more chump change to the Lake County taxpayers? I will not give my support on this one.

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

I do not have the answer to this question. There's plenty of blame to go around for this situation. Our townships, villages and county board officials were not thinking of population growth and traffic patterns when they granted permission to build shopping malls and subdivisions. What they were thinking of was revenue, a nice word for taxes.

8. What is the most pressing county board-related issue in your district?

It is always the same issue all over the state, and the county is no different. The buddy system, pay to play and taxes are part of a political system that inspires some people to forget whose money they are playing with. There are some hardworking, trusting people on the board that are overshadowed by the others. No one should be running unopposed in any election. It is time to start caring, getting involved, getting mad and vote!