Nick Chirikos: 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: AlgonquinWebsite: http://www.nickchirikos.comOffice sought: McHenry County board District 1Age: 63Family: Married. Two daughters and three grandchildrenOccupation: Owner of Dura-Build Concrete Wall Systems, distributors of sustainable building products.Education: Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, with a minor in Communications Theory from the University of Denver, Colorado.Civic involvement: Present chairman of the McHenry County Historic Preservation Commission, past Vice President of the McHenry County Barn Preservation Association.Elected offices held: noneHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: noCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Balanced representation for the citizens of McHenry County on the County Board. Out of 24 members of the Board, 22 are Republican, and only 2 are Democrats. This reflects neither the political nor ideological profile of our population.Key Issue 2 The property tax burden on McHenry County's citizens. It is not enough to say that if our citizens cannot afford to pay, they must leave. Ways must be found to fund the recipients of tax dollars with amounts that our citizens are able to pay.Key Issue 3 Support of the County's 2030 Plan to encourage sustainable development, protection of our natural resources, development of tourism, preservation of our unique historical and cultural heritage and promotion of sustainable energy technologies and resources, such as wind, solar and geothermal, and theadaptation of present and future building codes to accommodate these methods.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?I do not claim expertise on complicated budget matters of the County. I do know that Budget reserves are higher than they are required to be, and in addition to high reserves, we are facing a significant shortfall of revenue in 2012. I believe there are areas of the budget which can see reductions without significant consequences, especially to the most vulnerable of our citizens.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.The County's transportation plan is generally well thought-out and executed. The Board and the McHenry County Division of Transportation need to be more mindful of the effects of continual road improvement projects on its citizens, placing more emphasis on improving traffic flow and lessening the inconvenience of the driving public and businesses within construction corridors. Of great importance to me is the imposition of artificially low speed limits, unlawful use of traffic control devices and video and photographic surveillance of the driving public by government entities.Does the county need to address its ethics policies' Why or why not? If so, how?County Government must NEVER STOP addressing its ethical practices. Referring back to my first policy priority, parties in power, regardless of party affiliation, suffer ethical lapses because they are insufficiently challenged by the loyal opposition, becoming lax and overtly comfortable with the security of their position. Only through cooperation, debate and constant vigilant reflection can those in public office remain true to the oaths of their offices.Assess McHenry County's efforts thus far in terms of groundwater preservation and protection. What needs to be done now and in the future?Groundwater protection is especially important in District 1 because of our higher population, and of critical importance throughout McHenry County. The County's Groundwater Task Force, headed by Cassandra McKinney is doing a great job. The most important task both now and in the future, is education of all users, private, public, industrial and agricultural, of the rapidly approaching limitations of this resource, and the preparations for possible rationing when we reach its inevitable maximum usage. Water tables are precipitously low, and competition for fair and equitable access to water will be significant within 10 years. Policies like the County's Groundwater Protection Action Plan are critical to the security and growth of our communities. This plan requires immediate and sustained implementation, as well as new and innovative solutions yet to be presented for the permanent protection of our water resources.Assess how the county health department approached the whooping cough outbreak. What should have been done differently?The County Department of Public Health did a good job of addressing the pertussis outbreak, working closely with Cary Grove High School and the other communities which saw cases. Parents responded adequately, isolating their kids and getting vaccinations in a timely fashion. From the first reported cases in October, until the peak of about 160 cases in December, the outbreak was well-managed and contained. I don't see anything which could have been done differently to significantly reduce the event, at least from my limited perspective, other than to say "well done" to all involved.