Denise LaCure: 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: GenevaWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Geneva Township Assessor (4-year Term)Age: 56Family: I was sadly widowed due to a tragic event. I have three adult children, one who currently serves in the United Stated NavyOccupation: I am currently the Geneva Township Assessor, and have over 33 years experience in the assessement field.Education: I am a Certified Illinois Assesseing Officer with over 400 hours of continuing education in the assessment field.Civic involvement: I am currently involved with a prayer group and book club. I have been very active with Swedish Days in Geneva, and I have enjoyed doing volunteer work with local animal shelters and wildlife rehab. I have also been an active Committeeman and enjoy being a Deputy Registrar and particularly enjoy registering first time voters. I have also been a volunteer firefighter/EMT and Engineer.Elected offices held: I was elected to serve as Geneva Township Assessor, my first term starting in January 2010, so I am currently serving in the fourth year of my first four year term as Geneva Township Assessor. Prior to being elected as Assessor I was elected to a four year term to serve as a Trustee for Geneva Township. I have also been elected to serve as a Committeeman for Geneva Precinct 6.Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: I have never been arrested or convicted of a crime.Candidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 The first campaign issue is to always Strive for better Public Service. My staff and I want to bring "The Service" back to Public Service. We treat the Public with respect, not just in conversation but in the way we perform our daily duties and the committment we make to achieve a high standard of performance.Key Issue 2 The second issue goes right along with the first and that is to provide "The Best Product" we can. While valuing property we must be acutely aware of the market(sales), all the while being mindful of uniformity (fairness). Through careful examination of the facts, and indepth negotiations with commercial property owners we have upheld commercial values through a very difficult market, again being fair to commercial property owners.Key Issue 3 The third issue is to continue to give the taxpayer "The Attention They Deserve". While we do value property for "Ad Valorem" purposes, we at the Assessor's Office do not determine budgets for the various taxing bodies, nor do we determine levies, taxes, exemptions and we don't even collect taxes. When asked about other taxing functions it would be easy to say "we don't do that", "call such and such"; but we don't "Hit that Easy Button". We gladly explain the taxing process, answer as many questions as possible, and when we can go no further we will point you in the right direction.Questions Answers Name the three most important goals or objectives this board should tackle in the coming term. Prioritize them, and briefly discuss why you believe each to be critical, and how the board should go about addressing them.I believe the three most important goals are: 1)To continue to keep the Township Office out of debt. Geneva Township has proven that Township Government is one of the most efficient, accesible and fiscally responsible units of Government. 2)Be mindful of how the taxpayers dollars are spent, while properly funding the required and necesary services. 3)Strive for better transparency.In the 21st Century, with municipalities gobbling up vacant land, why are townships needed? Should they be serving a new role? If so, what?Township Government is the closest Government to the people. The larger the government, the more expensive the government. The further away the government, the less representation we get. Most Township Governments operate very efficiently, we have no debt service in Geneva Township. We provide services that no other Government Entity provides, there is no "duplication" of service between Township and other Government Entities. Your elected officials are available on a daily basis, you can just walk in any time and speak with them, if not you will get a prompt return call. Unless I am sick, on vacation or busy with someone else...I answer my own phone. Go ahead, call your State Rep, let me know who answers, or what answers. Contrary to popular belief, there are more miles of roads maintained by Townships in Illinois than any other Government entity. Salaries and benefits of Township employees are usually lower than other Government agencies that are heavily unionized, and many Townships utilize part time help, which also cuts down on expenses.What should be the primary responsibility of township government?Township Assessing, General Services, Township Roads and Senior Centers and Services should be the responsibility of Township Government. In terms of assessing, the Assessor is charged with fairly and equitably valuing all property within its' jurisdiction, regardless of Political Boundaries such as Cities, Schools, TIF Districts.In these hard economic times, can you identify some township expenses/programs that could be trimmed or eliminated to reduce the tax burden?In Geneva Township I know that the Assessor's Office, the Road District and Senior Center run on a very tight budget. There is no waste or excess that I know of. Knowing how efficient our Township operates and the high level of service we provide, I think some of the larger units of Government should be asking us "How do you do it?"What specific background or experience do you bring that makes you the best qualified candidate to serve as an elected official in the township?I bring over 33 years of experience in the assessment field, from both the private and public sectors. I have well over 400 hours of education, thousands of hours of practical experience in the "field" and in the administration of assessments. But most important is that I have a high work ethic, and care for the people I serve. I strive to be open and approachable, and have sought out and found two employees who support me in my belief that "we work for you, the taxpayer".