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Al Murphy: Candidate Profile

DuPage Forest Preserve District 6 (Republican)

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: I have been married to my wife, Tammie for 26 years. We have 3 children; 23 year old twins, Jacob and Caitlin and 21 year old Tyler. We have a 7 year old Goldendoodle named Madison.Occupation: Owner Murphy Ace Hardware, West Chicago.Education: Bachelor of Science Degree in Business/Marketing from University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh.Civic involvement: Member: West Chicago Lions Club(past President), Western DuPage Chamber of Commerence. Current Assitant Scout Master Boy Scout Troop 21, Past President of the Down Town Development Committee.Elected offices held: Aldermen for the City of West Chicago 7th Ward, Aldermen At Large(covered the entire city due to redistricting),and the 4th Ward.Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: No.Candidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Protecting, preserving and restoring the land that makes up the Forest Preserve while overseeing the responsibility of taxpayer funds.Key Issue 2 We need to expand the programs in the areas of conservation, recreation and education. We need to open up St. James Farm year round to the public and expand the programing. We need better trail connectivity and enhancements throughout DuPage County.Key Issue 3 There is a need to review and update the way the Forest Preserve conducts its business. The commissioners need to evaluate the organization as a whole and change the structure to achieve greater operational efficiencies and cost containment. We need to keep the Forest Preserve operating in the black.Questions Answers Do you support continuing the effort to acquire County Lakes Golf Club in Naperville? Why or why not?The board voted and approved the purchase of County Lake Golf Club several years ago. The forest preserve made a commitment and set aside money to purchase the property. The area has seen a termendous amount of growth and I feel that it could provide flood relief to the area homeowners.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?It is not in the best interest of the Forset Preserve or the DuPage County residents to sell any of the golf courses. The value is in the land with benefits of open spaces that it provides, the water retention and the flood water that these areas hold.Comment on the forest preserve's current land acquisition policy: Too aggressive? Too passive? Just right?The DuPage County Forest Preserve currently has over 25,000 acres of land. More than 11% of the county is owned by the Forest Preserve which guarantees open space, nature preserves, trails and recreation areas. The acquisition policy is appropriate.This field intentionally left blank.Candidate did not respond.This field intentionally left blank.Candidate did not respond.