Linda (Lyn) Orphal: 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: Crystal LakeWebsite: http://www.CitizensforOrphal.comOffice sought: McHenry County board District 3Age: 60Family: Married, 1 child, 2 grandchildrenOccupation: Development Manager for Family Alliance, Inc. in Woodstock, IL.Education: Candidate did not respond.Civic involvement: With over 30 years in the community I have been involved in a plethera of organizations. I have served on the board of the United Way of McHenry County for 8 years, as a Kiwanian in Johnsburg, Rotarian for the Crystal Lake Dawnbreakers, PADS (Public Aid to Deliver Shelter Board), Women in Management, and currently participate in meeting for the Human Service Advocates network protecting the non-profit agencies in our county.Elected offices held: Served as a McHenry County Board Member representing District 2 from 2000 to 2010.Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Building consensus on the board.It seems this has drifted away causing fractions within the board.This needs to be addressed in order to have a cohesive and cooperative board when addressing policies and issues that effect the constituents of McHenry County.Key Issue 2 Supporting our local Economic Development Corporation in order to encourage growth of existing McHenry County businesses and retain those looking to go elsewhere.Also working with other forms of government in an effort to bring other business into McHenry County.Key Issue 3 Jobs - This can be done with the support of my 2nd issue.We need to increase business that now exists within the county as well as encourage other business to come to our county in order to bring jobs so that people are not having to communte out of McHenry County to work.This will also help increase the economy of our county, which is very important in order to continue the lifestyle the residents of our county have become accustomed to.Questions Answers McHenry County has managed the recession without a budgetary crisis like those in other counties. How do you ensure the county continues on that path and that reserves aren't depleted? Are there specific budget areas that need more attention?Many budget areas have been addressed over the past 12 years when McHenry County was struggling to the point now where we carry a minimum 5 month reserve for use in the case of an emergency.The budget is being managed well, but there is always room for improvement.A budget review board, as recently suggested will help address concerns by board members as well as residents well enough in advance of accepting the next budget.Does the McHenry County Board have a good transportation improvement plan? Please be specific and suggest whether you think anything is missing or should be scrapped.I believe the County has developed a good transportation plan, the problem is getting the funding from State and Federal entities in order to address them.It is no secret that many businesses do not seek out McHenry County, particularly manaufacturing, due to the grid-lock we face on major arterials through McHenry County to get to the expressways.The county is doing what it can, at this time with the tax dollars we receive to maintain and move forward with better roads.Does the county need to address its ethics policies' Why or why not? If so, how?It is apparent to me that as issues arise the County does seem to be addressing them.A review of current eithics is always being done at various levels, and policies are being challenged and corrected as warranted.Assess McHenry County's efforts thus far in terms of groundwater preservation and protection. What needs to be done now and in the future?We have an excellent groundwater protection program, and I feel the county is doing what it can with the dollars alloted to keep our groundwater safe.As we will never be able to draw water from Lake Michigan and depend solely on our own aquifers, much has been done to monitor these acquifers as well as planned future growth in the county so as not to deplete what we have.Assess how the county health department approached the whooping cough outbreak. What should have been done differently?Personally, I received many e-mails from the county health department regarding whooping cough and up-dated statistics.All schools, medical institutions, day care centers, etc. were keep well informed.Encouragement was given to anyone to be inoculated and it seems that the census of individuals contracting this disease has dropped based on shared information.