Jim Newton: Candidate Profile

Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioKey IssuesQA Bio City: LindenhurstWebsite: http://Facebook page "Jim Newton - County Board District 3'Office sought: Lake County board District 3Age: 49Family: Married, two children, 14 and 11Occupation: Lake County Board member and Forest Preserve District commissioner, District 3. Previously, worked 27 years as a reporter in Lake County covering all levels of local government, as well as extensive coverage of transportation and law enforcement.Education: BA, English/Journalism, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, 1984Civic involvement: Lake County Stayin' Alive Traffic Safety Task Force, formerly based at College of Lake County. Lindenhurst/Lake Villa Chamber of Commerce. Lake County Republican Federation. Lake Villa Township Republican Club.Elected offices held: County Board, March 2011 to the presentHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Continued fiscal responsibility. The Lake County Board works because a majority of members are committed to providing needed services at the most affordable levels. We also have a top-notch financial staff, and the results include the county's AAA bond rating and a 2012 budget that is $17 million lower than the 2009 budget. Upon my appointment, I took a voluntary pay cut, and I have since voted for a reduction in board salaries next year. The county accounts for about 7 percent of local tax bills, with municipalities averaging 10 percent and schools 68 percent.Key Issue 2 Experience and knowledge of county issues. Although I have been on the board less than a year, I have literally sat through more committee meetings, board meetings and budget cycles than many of the other board members due to my extensive coverage of the county. I know the staff in all departments, and there was almost no learning curve upon my appointment. I believe this benefits the residents of District 3 because I understand the county and its issues and can quickly connect residents with the correct departments and people to resolve problems.Key Issue 3 Open government and communication. One of the first issues to capture my attention was the discussion on amending the ethics ordinances for the County Board and Forest Board. I was a vocal supporter of new language that eliminates the potential for influence abuse, favoritism or nepotism in county hiring. As a former reporter, I would like to see more of the press at our committees. I'm a full-time board member, easily accessible to constituents and frequently in touch through email newsletters that are apolitical and service-oriented.Questions Answers The county remains in the black, but property taxes across the region are high. Should programs be cut to save taxpayers money? If so, which ones and why?I believe that in the past few years, the county has made significant cuts to the extent that it can. Many positions have been reduced through early retirement incentives, layoffs and lowering staff levels in departments that are currently slow due to the economy. We have also reluctantly cut our contributions to social service organizations. We maximize available federal grant funding when possible to keep costs down. Our legislative efforts include lobbying for the elimination of state mandates in areas where state funding has been cut.What should be done with the Fort Sheridan golf course? If no building or management proposals come back from vendors, do you propose abandoning golf? If so, are you concerned about a lawsuit? If you propose building a course, how should it be funded?I was among the minority of board members who voted against going out for bids for a Fort Sheridan Golf Course, and I will vote against it if any bids are eventually received. Lawsuits are always a concern, but I wouldn't vote to build an unnecessary multi-million golf course during a recession to avoid one.The Winchester House nursing home recently was turned over to a private company for operation. Should other county or forest district departments be privatized to save taxpayers money? Please explain.Winchester House was a special case because it helps serve as a necessary safety net for seniors who may not be able to afford care otherwise, and it is bleeding money. Privatization was a necessary step in order to compete in the expanding senior care market. We were told by administrators that closing Winchester House would be on the table if the privatization vote did not pass. We included many conditions to protect the welfare of residents and to ensure that the county would continue to have control of the facility. I do not see a similar situation involving other facilities or departments.Is there a specific type of service or amenity that is lacking in your district? If so, how do you propose to provide and fund that?The county has done a good job of making its services available across the county, from branch courts and health clinics to the new central permitting facility in Libertyville. Many county services are also available online. I would like to see the Hastings Lake Forest Preserve in Lindenhurst developed and opened to the public, and that work is scheduled to begin this year.Should the county continue to pursue open space policies' Why or why not?We leave that up to the voters. We will continue to purchase and develop properties with the funds that have been approved in previous referendum votes. When that money is exhausted, as in the past, it will be time to explore future goals and survey residents as to whether they want the district to continue pursuing open space. I believe the open space program has benefited residents in a multitude of ways, from preserving natural resources and providing active and passive recreation areas to balancing growth and helping to mitigate crowding in local schools and on local roads.