Myrna Molina: Candidate Profile

Back to Kane County board District 1

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: AuroraWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Twitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Kane County board District 1 Age: Candidate did not respond.Family: Candidate did not respond.Occupation: Candidate did not respond.Education: Candidate did not respond.Civic involvement: Candidate did not respond.Elected offices held: Candidate did not respond.Questions Answers The county commissioned a study to determine which services are mandated and which are not in preparation for a deeper budget cut. Do you believe the county must continue to reduce costs? If so, which non-mandated services would you cut or reduce? Under what circumstances would you support a tax increase?We cannot responsibly maintain a static funding budget by continuing to increase the size of our operating expenses. Budgeting for 2019 must begin with true zero-based budgeting principles. When used in government, zero-based budgeting requires every department justify all activity and every expense each year to the whole taxing body. Budget meetings cannot happen behind closed doors with only a chosen few filtering information down. Non-mandated services must all be reviewed and those who do not provide the essential services of public health and safety should be the first to be reviewed as possible cuts. One area I'd cut: redundant communications services in which townships and cities already assume the role. I do not support a property tax increase. In my seven years as commissioner on the Kane County board, I have never voted for a property tax increase. Many of our residents are barely seeing any financial relief, much less gains, from the last recession. They deserve government representatives who understand their position and are here to support them. _The mandated services study said the law will require a reduction in the number of board seats as the county's population grows. Reducing the number of seats might also save money. What is the right number of board seats? How soon should the reduction occur?Illinois state law requires counties having a population between 800,000 and 3,000,000, according to 2000 decennial census, shall have no more than 18 members on their county board. It also states no person shall seek election to both the county board and the forest preserve commission in the same election.ÃÅ#160;In 2016, Kane County's population was estimated to be 531,715. While highly unlikely because of a decreasing state population, should our population really increase by over 50% by 2020, we should then begin the discussion to reduce the size of the board, but this would also require establishing a separately elected forest preserve board potentially increasing the size of the state's taxing bodies. One of Kane County's greatest assets is its geographic and economic diversity. Decreasing the size of its representation will dilute and disenfranchise our rural and minority populations while putting more power in fewer hands. _Do you support adding a sunset clause to any toll created to fund the Longmeadow Parkway?Yes, once the debt is retired toll collection should ceaseWas ending the county's GPS and electronic monitoring program the right decision? If not, how would you restore the program?Global Position and Electronic Monitoring programs served as an alternative to jail and detention for both adults and juveniles while awaiting trial for pending charges. Currently the jail's cost per offender is approximately $80/day for adults and $110/day for juveniles. No one can argue the cost efficiency of monitoring offenders in their home versus housing them in our jails. We saved $3.6 million in 2016 alone. Ending the program was financially irresponsible and short-sided because we have already seen the burden shifted from court services to the sheriff. It's a shell game. This is simply just one example where we cut from one department only to increase the cost somewhere else. It's a perverse effect of cutting for cutting's sake. In order to restore the program it is imperative we work with our judicial partners to review the feasibility of increasing court security fees as a possible solution to fund the program.Do you support keeping the Aurora Election Commission?We have seen voting rights under attack nationwide with measures making it harder for Americans to exercise their right to cast a ballot, particularly against minorities, the elderly, and people with disabilities. We must continue to increase the access to voting by opening more early voting centers, increasing our outreach efforts and voter education, and continuing to promote measures decreasing the burden on eligible voters simply trying to exercise their most fundamental civil right. I'm opposed to any effort that diminishes people's access to voting and suppresses their voice. Dismantling the Aurora Election Commission will just shift the cost of running elections to the counties, increasing our already stressed budgets. In my district, voters will see decreased access because we will have to go to Geneva for these services._What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?As a candidate for Kane County board District 1, I consider the following issues important and in need of attention if we are to move forward in creating policies that will continue to make the county an innovative and strategic leader in our state. We must do all we can to provide high quality government services, this is why I support the county and its contractors paying a living wage, ensuring worker safety, and respecting the collective bargaining process. We must be good stewards of our environment, this is why I support renewable energy by incorporating solar panels into our buildings and adopting an electric car fleet to reduce emissions and costs. We must work to stop clogging up prisons with non-violent offenders and people with mental illnesses, this is why I support efforts to reform our criminal justice system. We must protect the health, safety and welfare of our residents, this is why I support efforts to put an end to opioid abuse and making pharmaceutical companies accountable. We must preserve and protect our rich agricultural heritage, this is why I support preserving open spaces by encouraging food sustainability and supporting our farmers. We must also be forward thinking land use planners, this is why I support integrating safe walkable, bikeable and reliable infrastructures in our county. Local government is a platform for citizens to collaboratively build a strong and prosperous place, our public servants must strive toward working together and serving the public good.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Bernie Sanders has reminded us the value and importance of listening to and being a voice for the people we wish to serve.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?My parents taught me I had the responsibility if I saw wrong, injustice or inequality to stand up for myself and others, my voice mattered.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I have tried to live my life with no regrets but maybe I didn't need that extra slice of pizza last night.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?My favorite subject in school was social studies, learning and understanding we live a beautiful diverse world together as helped me work well with others.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?You were put on this earth to achieve your greatest self, to live out your purpose, and to do it courageously