Barbara Wojnicki: 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: SAINT CHARLESWebsite: Barb4countyboardTwitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Kane County board District 15 Age: 65Family: Daniel Michael Wojnicki David Matthew WojnickiOccupation: Kane County Board RepresentativeEducation: Associates Degree in BusinessCivic involvement: Conservation Foundation Advisory Council Corron Farm Preservation Advisory Council Member Garfield Farm Member Kane County Department of Public HealthElected offices held: Kane County Board Member District #15 Kane County Forest Preserve Commissioner Campton Township Trustee Campton Township Republican Organization Chairman of Kane County Central CommitteeQuestions 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?According to the Mandated Services Study from November 2017, the Kane County Board cannot eliminate mandated services, but may reduce budgeting for certain departments. Elected officials such as, Treasurer, Sheriff, Recorder, Coroner, Circuit Clerk, Auditor have internal control powers. The Kane County Board may reduce their budget numbers, however, it is their responsibility to manage and distribute the mandated dollars in their budget. The Board has kept the levy flat for 6 years now and I will work to continue that trend.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?The Kane County Board currently has 24 board seats with the approximate population of 20,000 - 23,000 people in each district. Increasing the population in each district to approximately 30,000 residents, would reduce the board seats to approximately 18 districts. The next census would occur in the year 2020 and afterwards, redistricting occurs. This would be the proper time to reduce the number of county board seats to 18, with the approval of the Kane County Board.Do you support adding a sunset clause to any toll created to fund the Longmeadow Parkway?Yes, I support a sunset clause, but only when the bonds are retired and enough reserve funds have been built up to cover future maintenance.Was ending the county's GPS and electronic monitoring program the right decision? If not, how would you restore the program?The County Board did not make the decision to end the GPS and electronic monitoring program. This decision was made by the Judiciary Department of Kane County due to a reduction in their budget. Subject to future funding, possibly through reserves, the GPS program could be restored.Do you support keeping the Aurora Election Commission?If eliminating the Aurora Election Commission and consolidating the voters in this commission with the Kane County Clerk's office would be a savings for our taxpayers, then I am in favor of eliminating the Aurora Election Commission.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?One of the biggest issues to appear before the Kane County Board, was the Petition for a Special Use for Maxxam Partners Drug and Alcohol Rehab Center. The Kane County Zoning Board of Appeals held 20 hearings regarding this issue and there were several hundreds of residents attending. The ZBA's final recommendation to the Kane County Board was a "NO" recommendation and the final vote at the Kane County Board was a vote "NO". Another very important issue is the protection of historic structures, farms and open land in my district. I am one of the pioneers of the Campton Township Open Space program, a supporter of Garfield Farms and am eager to purchase more Forest Preserve land in my district. Also, the greater population in District 15, which includes Campton, Plato and Virgil Townships, live on large lots and acreage and depend on wells, septic areas and culverts for drainage. In some older subdivisions, broken drain tiles and flooding may occur. Kane County offers a cost/share program funded by the Grand Victoria Riverboat, which financially helps residents, in the unincorporated areas, with the cost of repairs.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.I admire the local community leadership within Kane County. This leadership encourages participation and volunteerism which makes Kane County a very desirable place to live.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Always, family comes first and "Honesty is the Best Policy"!If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Travel all the States and all of Europe.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Psychology as I enjoy meeting and engaging in conversation with people in all walks of lifeIf you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Life goes by so very quickly, so make wise choices in school, friendships and vocations.