Susan Starrett: 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: North AuroraWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Kane County Board District 10Age: 39Family: Candidate did not respond.Occupation: Office ManagerEducation: University of Illinois - MBA U.C.L.A. - Bachelor in Arts (History)Civic involvement: Actively volunteered and worked in Republican campaigns. FVAHF - Vice President (Fox Valley Arts Hall of Fame www.foxvalleyarts.org. Volunteered for 4 years at Ronald McDonald House. Volunteered in NICU (neo-natal intensive care unit). Volunteered at home for abused girls. Member of Jr. League.Elected offices held: Candidate did not respond.Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: No.Candidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Finances. I feel that the people in District 10 need a break on their taxes.I will work to freeze or decrease taxes at every opportunity.Key Issue 2 I want to make sure Kane County's policies and procedures that are already in place are being followed. I feel that cooperation between elected officials and county board departments as well as cooperation with nearby counties is also very important.Key Issue 3 Kane County Board is a priority to me.I will regularly attend board meetings and work to communicate well with the board and the people of District 10.Questions Answers Do you support a more stringent ethics ordinance for Kane County governing the conduct of elected officials and county employees' Why or why not? If so, what should the ordinance contain?I support a more stringent ethics ordinance for Kane County governing the conduct of elected officials and county employees.People continually say they are transparent and are doing nothing wrong, but why are they not telling people where they are receiving donations prior to voting (ie. approving contracts, promoting people, and raises to people)? My opponent has voted against this pro-active approach, but I believe this is one of the most important things we can do for voters.The county's portion of gambling proceeds has been decreasing every year for several years. What is your plan to prioritize use of that money? What might be done to wean the agencies and programs that receive this money off of it?Within the county, for areas that rely on this money, decisions need to be made whether these are priorities that need to be used out of the existing tax revenue.There is only so much money and we need to do what is best for our citizens. I would explore ways with agencies to help recruit finances, other than government funding.Outside the county, this money should be used one time for one time expenses. A review should be made of money used outside Kane County.Do you believe the Kane County court system needs a computer system upgrade that might cost as much as $12.6 million? If so, do you support using RTA sales tax money to fund the cost, or do you have a different plan? If not, what is your alternative plan?There are many different options, but one option would be to use the existing Kane County IT department, with additional staff, to develop part or all of this program. Ultimately, I feel that this long-term decision needs to be made by a new board and a new county board chairman. This new board should take a fresh look at the almost $1 million dollars in sales tax money from the RTA.Do you believe county board members and the chairman should receive health insurance and pension benefits' If you are running for one of those positions, do you plan on accepting those benefits' Why or why not?I believe that the chairman by IMRF has to be covered by retirement benefits and is considered a full-time employee.Health insurance for a full-time employee should be part of their benefit package.County board members should make individual decisions and be transparent in their decision.How do you resolve the ongoing debate over the county board setting budgets for departments run by other elected officials whom the county board has no control over? How should the county board enforce the budgets it sets'The county board, statutorily, has to set the budget for elected county officials, however, this should be done in cooperation with elected officials, not in a dictatorial fashion.The county board needs to know and review specifically what they are funding with elected official's projects.