Q&A with Dahl

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?

I was recruited by York Township Democrats who knew me through my grass-roots activism in the community. Based on what vice-chair Carol Davis referred to as my "tireless advocacy," they felt I'd be an excellent choice. In particular I want to re-establish fiscal responsibility to prevent more budget crises like the one leading to the sales tax referendum, opening the way to work for long-overdue property tax relief.

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.

Coming from the perspective of a hardworking taxpayer, mother, and health care professional, as well as a 43-year resident of this county, I bring a needed dimension to this board. Rather than being a political insider, I bring to this board that has been 100% Republican for 25 years (excepting a single term) novel viewpoints: triage or prioritizing of needs; checkbook, or budget, balancing; advocating for the taxpayers rather than playing into the hands of the "Old Boys' Network," and independent decision-making that is the luxury of an elected official who has never been bought with "pay-to-play" campaign contributions. Primary election outcomes give me the confidence to know that I won't be alone in this endeavor but will be working alongside a number of other new board members who will put an end to the political single-mindedness we've experienced. I'll be the voters' voice, not a partisan pawn.

3. What are your thoughts on how to best make use of revenue from the county sales tax increase approved by the state legislature?

The first priority must be to restore program cuts made in 2007 to the county health department, convalescent center, human services and the sheriff's office totaling approximately $8 million.

What should be done with any surplus from the sales tax increase? Transportation, restoring human services previously cut, and property tax relief should be priorities. What should be out of the question is: further salary and benefit increases for elected county officials, and "homeland security" programs that were mentioned.

4. Should candidates for county board and other elected offices accept campaign contributions from companies that do business with the county? If so, why? If not, why not, and how should this be addressed? If you have accepted campaign contributions from county vendors, please list them by name and amount.

At a news conference on July 22, 2008, I joined several Democratic candidates for county board to pledge our rejection of any "pay-to-play" campaign contributions. The practice of "pay-to-play" has driven up the cost of government in DuPage by leading to the awarding of extravagant no-bid contracts to businesses that donate lavishly to political campaigns. This lack of competitive bidding means the projects are cost-ineffective and potentially lacking in quality, because they're awarded on the basis of influence rather than competence, qualifications, and competitive pricing.

5. With the high price of gasoline, what should the county board be doing to improve energy efficiency in government operations?

DuPage County has continued to be stuck in the road construction mindset, which addresses congestion in a way that ignores the environmental issues, and does nothing to expand efficient, affordable public transportation.

What, if anything, should the county board be doing to encourage expanded mass transit options in the county? Schillerstrom last week presented a proposed $220 million capital project for DuPage taxpayers to fund that includes $157 million for road construction and $31 million for improvements to the county complex, convalescent center, and jail, and an unknown amount for bike trails. Any capital project mentioned on the heels of their recent budget crisis exhibits the chairman's ongoing fiscal recklessness - and a capital project that doesn't address public transportation needs is even worse.

6. What are you thoughts on the Canadian National Railway's proposal to purchase the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway Co. in order to reroute some freight train traffic from lines in Chicago and inner suburbs?

Though some have voiced support for the plan, the majority are passionately opposed to it for reasons of safety, quality of life, and property value. I stand by those whose lives would be adversely affected and say "No" to CNR.