Dundee Township GOP candidates meet for first time

Republican candidates in the primary election for Dundee Township offices faced off Saturday, with hopefuls airing their views before about 100 people in a forum organized by the Dundee-Carpentersville League of Womens Voters.

Candidates for Dundee Township supervisor, board member and assessor touched on issues ranging from the township's open space plan, to the type of software the township assessor would employ.

The three candidates for township supervisor opened the forum in the meeting room of the Dundee Township Library.

Incumbent Sue Harney, who has held the position for the past eight years, squared off against a political veteran Don Rage and relative novice Pam Griffin, respectively.

Harney, who has overseen the acquisition of large parcels of open space since taking office, highlighted her department's fiscal responsibility and transparency.

"The township is in excellent financial shape ... despite the tough economic times," Harney said.

Rage, though, disagreed.

"Money is being misspent," Rage said. "Open space is costing a considerable amount because the interest income was not budgeted properly."

The challengers - as well as some residents - took Harney to task on a 30 percent raise that she says now brings her up from the lowest to second-lowest paid township supervisor in the Fox Valley area and surrounding counties.

"The pay rates in Dundee Township are very low," Harney said. "For the past eight years I have been the lowest paid supervisor in the Fox Valley. But I didn't take this job for the money, I took it because of my passion for open space."

Griffin, who said her goal would be to unite all government entities to create a seamless open space plan, said a pay raise of 30 percent was unnecessary.

"I do believe the township supervisor deserved a raise," Griffin said. "But I don't know if it should have been as large as it was."

Rage has promised to give the raise back to the township or donate it to a local charity if he is elected.

The six candidates for township board - incumbents Chuck Behm, David Edwards and Ken Schaffer plus challengers Paul Lanspa, Margaret O. Scarpelli and JoAnn Fritz - agreed open space is the main concern of the township board, but some candidates said further attention must be paid to the township's other responsibilities including transportation and helping those in need.

"Open space is not the only mandate of the township," Lanspa said. "There are roads, bridges and cemeteries ... Open space is a valuable natural resource but we have to get down to all the business we have to do."

Trustees also differed on their response to the township spending $1.3 million to improve the Jelke Creek Bird Sanctuary on Boncosky Road. While Fritz reiterated that the open space is a necessity to keep the area's water supply viable, others said they might have waited or used that money on another project like helping local food pantries.

The race to replace outgoing township assessor Dan McMahon is a two-way contest between newcomers Lee Barrett and Mike Bielak. The pair promised an open-door policy for residents who feel their property assessment or tax bill contains errors.

"I will be open to you," Bielak said. "You pay us to do what is needed to do to get the job done and I will answer your questions."

Dundee Township Highway Commissioner Larry Braasch is running unopposed in the primary election.