The right experience to lead Will County

When comparing candidates for Will County executive, it's clear that Nick Palmer is by far, the most qualified. Nick is the chief of staff to the current county executive, so he's already doing the work.

I've known Nick for two years. My perspective is he is a dedicated, honorable leader, one who truly has the best interest of the 700,000 plus Will County residents as priority. Not knowing until more recently what a county executive does, I've learned what an enormous job it is. It's one that requires working each day on multiple tasks, like collaborating with different levels of government officials, the private sector, labor unions and the public.

It takes a skilled project manager (similar to a CEO) to lead infrastructure projects, oversee the county board, manage county services and employees, balance the budget, and many other duties. Nick has done all these things in his current role. He is a critical thinker who has serious decisions to make on a daily basis, and has a track record for doing so in bipartisan and respectful manner with all persons involved.

Because of the enormous responsibilities of the county executive, strong decision making ability is critical.

I'm concerned with Nick Palmer's opponent, Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant in this capacity. There appears to be a pattern of not taking votes on pretty fundamental Democratic issues, some very important to me. It looks as if when an issue is controversial, she doesn't always vote, and on some very key legislation. This is not OK with me. We vote people into office to make these difficult decisions, don't we?

Carrie Jackson

Plainfield