Kane County board District 23 Smith: Candidate Profile

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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:BioQA Bio City: CarpentersvilleWebsite: www.kevin4kane.comOffice sought: Kane County board District 23 Age: Candidate did not respond.Family: Candidate did not respond.Occupation: CarpenterEducation: Journeymen CarpenterCivic involvement: Candidate did not respond.Elected offices held: Democratic Precinct committeemenHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: noQuestions Answers Why are you running for this office, whether for re-election or election for the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you? If so, what?I have a strong desire to contribute to the progress of Kane County and especially the north end of the County. Frankly, I think the Algonquin/Carpentersville/Dundee area has been left behind in improving infrastructure like the bridges over the Fox River. We need more bridges to relieve the daily congestion over the Fox River, but I think a toll on any bridge is a form of taxation without representation and creates a very real liability for Dundee Township residents when the bridge doesn't pay for itself over the course of the next 40 years.Regarding the budget, how long can/should the county board and forest district maintain overall flat property tax levies? Will the budget outlook permit the county to continue to hire the best possible staff members and offer the services taxpayers want and need?I think that the county should extend the flat property tax levies until the economy and housing prices have sufficiently recovered. When that happens we should revisit the issue.Both the Kane County Coroner and Kane County Diagnostics agency have indicated they need new or improved spaces. What would be your approach to determine if and when those agencies need a different space? How would you pay for the construction or renovations?I am not an expert on the process of either of the agencies, but what I do bring to the table is common sense values that I can use to evaluate the input of independent professionals and how our county ranks among similar institutions around the state and nation in regard to expenditures for both coroners duties and psychological diagnostics for the courts.Which, if any, of the proposed redevelopment plans for the Settler's Hill campus do you support? Why or why not?I haven't had a chance to fully evaluate all the plans for the former land fill, but I tend to agree that the lead should be taken by District 10 officials as the project lies within that district.What will be your criteria for rating the success of the county's animal control agency and its new leader?Yeah, what's going on with that? The closed door sessions have produced little information about the true nature of the events that led up to the dramatic leadership change. From what I gather, the new leader has a strong background in animal care combined with a record of government service. I applaud the more open process of selecting this qualified leader and in the future would work to keep the public better informed of the situations in all departments. I think an informed and involved public is the best way to ensure that their government is on the right track.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?I felt strongly that the proposed toll on the Longmeadow Parkway was a bad idea when it was proposed in late 90's to keep economic development from spreading to the west side of the county and I still feel strongly that it is a bad idea as a corridor to serve the development that has since moved to the west. We need common sense solutions to the congestion that plagues the north end of Kane County, not one bloated plan leaving the residents of Dundee Township holding the bag if or when the toll fails to pay for the bridge.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Arthur T. Demoulas. His common sense management philosophy is as brilliant as it is simplistic. His principled management practices should be duplicated in American business.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Simply to stand for your beliefs with an open mindIf life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Wouldn't change much but, maybe spend more time with my Grandfather. He was a great inspiration for the really valuable things in life.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Science taught me to examine and evaluate things. A way to critically examine parts of a whole and arrive at solid conclusions that make sense.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Be true to yourself. If you do what's right-not necessarily popular-you will be able to look back on your life with pride.