Andrew Seo: 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: ChicagoWebsite: www.andrewseo.comTwitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Age: 29Family: Candidate did not respond.Occupation: Mechanical EngineerEducation: Bachelor of Science/Mechanical EngineeringMaster of Business Administration/Investment ManagementCivic involvement: I support the Union League Boys Girls Club, Chinese American Service League, Shriners Hospitals for Children, National Latino Education Institute, Chicago Urban League, Chicago Zoological Society, Friends of the Chicago River and the Forest Preserve Foundation. I am a member of the Executives Club of Chicago, Chicago Council on Global Affairs, City Club of Chicago, Traffic Club of Chicago and Sierra Club.Elected offices held: Candidate did not respond.Questions Answers The board continues to be dominated by officials from the city as opposed to the suburbs. Do you support reforming the way the board is elected to ensure more balanced representation?I would welcome candidates from all areas of Cook County, however, I would not support reforming the way the board is elected because it could potentially substitute the needs of Cook County at large with fragmented issues that could pitch district against district and official against official, vying for funds and earmarks. Reforming the way the board is elected would potentially cause an increase in spending, obscuring of the big picture, and a fostering of political divisions instead of political harmony.The role of board members is described as part time, yet the salary associated with it is more than most people make in their full-time job. Should that salary be cut?Yes, the salary of board members should be cut and reflect salaries that are comparable to other commissions and boards in the State of Illinois.If you are an incumbent, what has your attendance been for board meetings? IF you are a challenger, have you attended any meetings? How many? Do you know the attendance rate of the incumbent candidates?As a candidate running for an open seat, I have attended several recent board meetings and have read the minutes of board meetings as far back as 2008. The board seat I am running for has no incumbent. I know the attendance rate of the entire board of Commissioners.How do you rate the MWRD on transparency and the public's access to records? If you consider it adequate, please explain why. If you think improvements are needed, please describe them and why they are importantI would rate MWRD's transparency and the public access to records as embarrassing. The Better Government Association (BGA) filed a lawsuit against the MWRD on Feb. 19, 2015, in Cook County Circuit Court for violating the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Drastic improvements need to be made in regards to transparency and honest government. My Administration will take appropriate actions, consistent with law and policy, to disclose information rapidly and readily available to the public.Please list any elected office you have ever run for and what the result of that election was. Have you ever been appointed to fill an unexpired term?This is my 1st time running for elected office.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Chicagoland's water and wastewater infrastructure is not improving at a pace to keep up with the needs of its citizens and businesses. A strong infrastructure system is critical for the future prosperity of Chicago and Illinois. Investments in water infrastructure are one of the best ways to create jobs. Modernizing our water infrastructure will ease burdens on the general public, accelerate innovation and economic development, protect human health, and preserve precious water resources.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Warren BuffettWhat is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Being fiscally responsible.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I do not have any regrets, I am always looking forward.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Communications, the ability to speak in public has helped me tremendously during the campaign process.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you'll do things differently.