Emmett Bonfield: Candidate Profile

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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:BioQA Bio City: YorkvilleWebsite: TBDOffice sought: Waubonsee Community College School Board Age: 73Family: Son Daughter GrandaughterOccupation: Operating Engineer Local 150/Business Owner-RetiredEducation: High School Diploma Enhanced Business Courses Operating Engineers Local 150 Training CoursesCivic involvement: Yorkville Lions Club Kendall County Food Pantry American Legion - Fundraising Poppy Days (annually for previous five years)Elected offices held: NoneQuestions Answers With enrollment up at my many community colleges, it can be challenging to keep pace as far as available classroom/lab space, the number of qualified teachers and available course work options. How would you manage that?I will asses enrollment and needs of the students. I will then asses the facilities. I would then design a practical and fiscally responsible solution to meet the needs of the student.Are you currently employed by or retired from a school district, if so, which one? Is any member of your direct family - spouse, child or child-in-law - employed by the school district where you are seeking a school board seat?NoIs a tax rate increase needed and, if so, how do you justify it?In my opinion a tax increase would have to be justified by a legitimate need. In the current economic environment a tax increase would be the last resort.Community colleges provide many services to a diverse population. Is there a service your college should be providing that it is not, or reaching a segment of the population that it is not?A Community College should prepare students for practical employment. I want Waubonsee students to be prepared to enter the job market with practical job skills. I spoke with an executive from the Illinois Community College Board. He said that there will be federal legislation that will provide funding for trade based education such as carpentry, plumbing, and electrical training.What do you think of President Obama's proposal for offering two years of free community college education?How will this free education be funded? Can the tax base support this? The student should have an economic stake in their education.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Term Limits for Trustees Financial and Operational Transparency Performance Standards for Instructors Measurable results; Graduation and Graduate Employment ratesPlease name one current leader who most inspires you.Senator KirkWhat's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Hard work is the cornerstone of success.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would have expressed my gratitude to my Mother. She sacrificed and care for my siblings and I.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?The technical education I received at Chicago Vocational prepared me for a career.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?I would stress the importance of an education.