Q&A with Edgar

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 am honored and humbled to be the first Green Party candidate running for the DuPage County Board. As a business leader, community activist, and parent of small children, I share many of the same everyday concerns with most voters about taxes, service cuts, and the overall quality of life in DuPage County.

Last year, a doomsday budget was passed with cuts that threatened our public safety, our environment, and cherished social institutions. This was a powerful motivator for me to seek office. I'd like to work with the other board members, members of county government, and leaders from cities and villages to develop workable solutions to the problems we have and will continue to face. I believe in small effective government, and I will look for areas to consolidate within county government to cut costs and maximize efficiency. We can end the cycle of doomsday budgets by electing new leadership with a commitment to long term financial planning.

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.

It is my intent to contribute in a manner that reflects positively on all of us as residents of DuPage County. I believe that my background as a business leader, community activist, and parent will lend themselves to addressing problems as they arise.

I will focus on contributing in four areas of sustainability.

We need sustainable local business. I will contribute by continuing to develop relationships within our community that foster the growth of local independent business.

We need sustainable community. I will contribute by focusing on smart growth, which is more town-centered, is transit and pedestrian oriented, and has a greater mix of housing, commercial and retail uses. It also preserves open space and many other environmental amenities.

We need sustainable government. We can end the cycle of doomsday budgets by electing new leadership with a commitment to long term financial planning.

We need sustainable living. The health of our environment is a reflection of the choices we make. I will contribute by remaining cognizant of the fact that our children and our children's children will have to live with the decisions I make.

I am committed to a sustainable future for our County.

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

Most of the revenue received from the sales tax increase will cover the shortfall generated when the $15 million in Water Commission grant money ended last year. Also, recent data show slowing revenue from fees the county collects relative to what's projected in the budget. I'd be inclined to react conservatively to any additional spending. If a significant surplus does develop, I'd address pay increases for our County Sheriff's to stem the poaching from other counties. It's expensive to hire and train good workers, especially police, let's not be penny wise and pound-foolish when it comes to public safety.

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.

I am not accepting campaign contributions from companies, regardless of whether they do business with the County or not. It should be the policy for all board members to not accept contributions from companies at all. I believe, it is not in the public's interest to have elected officials receiving money from companies who stand to profit from a candidates election. It creates an inherent conflict of interest between doing what's best for the citizen and what's best for the contributing company.

5. With the high price of gasoline, what should the county board be doing to improve energy efficiency in government operations? What, if anything, should the county board be doing to encourage expanded mass transit options in the county?

To increase energy efficiency in government operations, I'd propose that the board consider a policy that would require all new county buildings to comply with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards, such as sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.

I'd also propose the board consider incentives to promote energy conservation for builders, homeowners and businesses.

I'd like to see more efficient and cost effective mass transit. We need to work with state and local agencies to deliver mass transit options that commuters will embrace.

I'd also support the idea of a Metra stop at the county building complex. Perhaps that would alleviate some of the congestion in the parking lot and remove the need to shuttle employees and visitors to the Metra station in Wheaton.

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?

The concerns of the citizens and towns impacted by the acquisition of the EJ&E by CN must be addressed. Public safety issues must be resolved to the satisfaction of towns whose train lines will see significantly increased traffic.