Al Murphy: 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: West ChicagoWebsite: http://electalmurphy@yahoo.comOffice sought: DuPage Forest Preserve District 6Age: 50Family: Married to Tammie and have three children; Jake, Caitlin, Ty.Occupation: Owner of Murphy Ace Hardware in West Chicago.Education: Bachelor of Business Adminstration. University of Wisconsin- Oshkosh, 1984.Civic involvement: Past president and current member of West Chicago Lions Club, Current Assistant Scout Master, Boy Scout Troop 21.Elected offices held: Elected Aldermen for the 4th and the 7th wards (redistricting) in the City of West Chicago. Also was appointed to be Aldermen At Large due to redistricting.Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 #1 THE LAND. The Forest Preserve has over 26,000 acres of land and I believe it is the greatest asset of Du Page County. We need to preserve and restore the land that we have for use and enjoyment for future generations.Key Issue 2 #2 The Finances. The Commissioners job is directing the business of the Forest Preserve. The board oversees the long range plan financially, as well as the vision for the Preserves for the future. We need someone who knows how to run this branch of government with a business plan financial viability. These are tough times and we need someone who knows how to make tough decisions.Key Issue 3 #3 We need to make the Preserves more user friendly. The public needs better access to the various Preserves we have. We need to expand the hiking and riding trails and to expand the summer and winter hours for greater use by the taxpayers.Questions Answers Do you support continuing the effort to acquire County Lakes Golf Club in Naperville? Why or why not?I support the continuing effort to acquire the Country Lakes Golf Club. The current Forest Preserve staff feels that this would bea good acquisition and it is my belief that this area would provide some much needed flood relief for the surrounding area.Should the district be in the golf course business' If so, please explain the benefit. If not, please detail why. Should the district consider selling any of its holdings'No, I do not believe the district should be in the golf course business. Government should never put itself in direct competition with private business. The district is currently looking at converting one of its courses back to nature/ flood plain. The district should not consider selling any of its holdings.Comment on the forest preserve's current land acquisition policy: Too aggressive? Too passive? Just right?Just right.