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Jonathan Gripe: 2024 candidate for Kane County Board District 14

Bio

Party: Republican

Office Sought: Kane County Board District 14

City: St. Charles

Age: 69

Occupation: Retired financial advisor

Previous offices held: No public offices held

Why are you running for this office, whether for re-election or election for the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you? If so, what?

Citizens of Kane County asked me to run for this office. They are fed up with board members who disregard the taxpayers. I believe in transparent, effective government that works for the people, not against them.

As I go door to door chatting with voters (of all kinds) I hear one story after another of why people love Kane County, but how county government is spoiling the good and forcing people to leave.

I’m motivated by the chance to bring a caring, results-driven approach to the board. I did this for over 45 years as a financial professional. I know how to ask, listen and act.

I advocate term limits. Many members never want to give up the rich benefits and compensation. I want to reduce wasteful pet project spending like $500k climate studies and new voting machines, when the old ones worked just fine. People are asking for leaders in Kane County who will serve citizens not special interests. We need servant leaders with financial expertise, and humble hearts.

If you are an incumbent, describe your main contributions. Tell us of any important initiatives you've led. If you are a challenger, what would you bring to the board and what would your priority be?

My priority is on bringing lifelong experience of community service to the board in a manner where we work together to get things done. I know many of the current board members and believe that we can work together to function effectively for the public's benefit.

When you sit in board or committee meetings, you can sense the tension and an interest by some to serve their personal interests and not work to do what's best for the people.

Because of my experience working on and leading boards, I am not afraid to challenge past practices, or partisan positions. Keep the vision in mind and act and speak in a manner that encourages the best in others.

As a financial advisor, I prepared detailed financial plans. These included debt reduction, spending management, planning and execution, short and long-term plans with accountability for all parties involved.

We desperately need that in Kane County. For decades, I have served our community and now want to serve them on the county board.

Describe your position regarding the balance between county spending and revenues as it exists today, then describe the chief threats you see looming in the future and how the county should deal with them.

Several board members often present an unnecessary choice between raising taxes or cutting essential services. It's not either or.

If we increase government efficiency, starting with how the board works and communicates, we can preserve and even enhance services without burdening taxpayers. I have worked with many families that were on a fixed income and they couldn't “raise taxes” to support their family.

So why not manage the county that way implementing what people value and reducing waste. I am trained to look for waste and come up with more efficient practices. A big part of improvement is transparency in spending. Kane County deserves board members that seek innovative solutions rather than defaulting to higher taxes. Let's work together to make Kane as functional as it is beautiful.

Does there need to be more bipartisanship and cooperation on the county board? If yes, what would you do to help make that happen?

Yes. Hopefully we can elect humble servants that want what's best and can come up with a mutually agreed description of that. I tell people of both parties and on every doorstep that we need people to work together.

We can do this by focusing on what we need to do and creating a perception by board members that success occurs when we agree, not just when one side “wins.”

One of my favorite quotes is from Teddy Roosevelt, “The most important single ingredient in the formula of success is knowing how to get along with people.”

My mom taught me that is I can help others get more done, when I listen and understand. Another favorite quote is from Dwight Eisenhower. “A sense of humor is part of the art of leadership, of getting along with people, of getting things done.”

It's hard to disagree when you're laughing. We need more smiles and cooperation, and I model these things every day in my life.

What role should the county play in combating the opioid crisis?

The opioid crisis is too often ignored, unless it affects your family and friends. Growing up in a family of medical professionals, I learned about how devastating this can be, seeing it firsthand. There are several steps to improving the situation, some of which the county can direct and others it can support.

These include prevention, treatment, law enforcement, and counseling. The county can offer educational programs to raise awareness about opioid dangers. Expanding access to treatment options can be assisted by the county health department.

My friends that serve as sheriff's deputies tell me that the county handles opioid-related situations pretty well. I would confirm that.

Though the county may not be the best resource for counseling, we can coordinate with community agencies that are. Many of these I have served as a board member or volunteer.

What role should the county play in increasing affordable housing in the region?

The county can help improve access to affordable housing in two ways. First, by minimizing the tax burden on affordable housing. This could include tax credits beyond the homestead and other exemptions available.

Second, we should collaborate with municipalities, developers, and agencies already expert in this field. This includes identifying underused land for development, offering tax breaks or expedited permits for projects that include affordable units, and supporting zoning changes to allow diverse housing options, including multifamily and mixed-use developments.

State and federal grants should be sought to fund these initiatives. We should facilitate public-private partnerships that will help create more affordable housing options. We don't need to expand the county bureaucracy to do this. We have a committee structure and departments that can coordinate for this.

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