Kane Co. District 21 candidates differ on top issues

With the economy slowly emerging from its dark days, Republican candidates in the primary race for the Kane County Board's 21st District seat can agree that responsible spending and fiscal restraint are top priorities facing county board members in the next four years.

Both incumbent John Fahy, 48, of West Dundee, and his challenger, Lee Barrett, 72, of East Dundee, list fiscal accountability among their top three campaign issues in a Daily Herald candidate questionnaire.

For Barrett, who held the 21st District seat for the eight years before Fahy replaced him in 2006, the issue ranks first. Fahy lists it second.

Barrett says his top priority is to "maintain essential services for our communities with attention to cost containment and budget stability."

"To simplify, it would be to not work outside your budget," Barrett said. "Spending should be done more responsibly. Don't just spend money, especially when there are people out there who are having a difficult time."

Fahy says his No. 1 campaign issue is to continue bringing back county resources to Dundee Township.

"I have secured over $43 million so far and finally Dundee Township is a receiver township instead of a donor township," Fahy said. "Over the last three years, Dundee Township residents have seen more tax dollars returned to our community than we paid to Kane County."

During his tenure, Dundee Township has received funding for projects such as the purchase of the Brunner Farm property in Carpentersville, the largest property purchase in the history of the Kane County Forest Preserve, and reconstruction of Route 72 at Randall Road, historically one of the county's deadliest intersections.

The 21st District covers parts of Carpentersville, East Dundee and West Dundee. Democrat Joseph Haimann will face the winner of the Republican primary in the November election.