James Mitchell: 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: LindenhurstWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Twitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Lake County board District 3 Age: 74Family: Widowed Jan 2005, remarried Aug 2010, 4 adult children,7 granddaughtersOccupation: Retired Potable Water Operator City of Highland ParkEducation: 18 Hrs towards MPH, Northern Illinois UniversityCivic involvement: Member St. Gregory's Episcopal Church Deerfield. VFW and American Legion Board Member Mallard Ridge HOAElected offices held: West Deerfield Twp Trustee Highland Park Mosquito Abatement District West Fork North Branch of Chicago River Lake County Board Lake County Forest Preserve District Lake Villa Public Library District Regional School BoardQuestions Answers If you are an incumbent, describe your main contributions. Tell us of any important initiatives you've led. If you are a challenger, what would you bring to the board and what would your priority be?I served on the Lake County Board in 1980's. I have served on 7 different units of local local government between 1976 - 2006. I understand how government works and doesn't work. 1. Reduce Lake County government taxes and excessive fees for services. 2. Consolidate units of government that require County Board appointment. 3. Reduce size of Lake County Board or eliminate pay and benefits. 4. Consolidate all sewer districts under Lake County Public Works. 5. Improve access in Veteran's health care and permanent/temporary privately funded housing for homeless vets and other homeless citizens. 6. Crime reduction, improvement in mental health services, drug over dose reduction. 7. Improving the health of all Lake County residents.Regardless of whether this is a current problem, what can the board do to reduce harassment, especially sexual harassment against women, in the county or forest district offices? If there have been complaints of harassment, have they been investigated properly? Are new policies needed?1. Zero tolerance with hot line to States Attorney's Office. 2. Initial new employee training and follow-up annually for ALL elected officials and ALL employees 3. New policies suggestions should always be reviewed.The county board sets salaries for its members, as well as the countywide elected officials. Do you believe these various salaries are at the right level now? Are raises or pay cuts needed?1. I do not believe County Board should be a compensated position for salary, health care or retirement benefits. I will donate ALL of my salary and benefits. 2. Unlike County Board Members County Wide office holders maintain offices open to the public and administer large budgets and employees. Continue comparison to other Counties across the US and in Illinois.The forest district still has a lot of undeveloped preserves. Name one such preserve you'd like to see get amenities, and tell me what you'd like to see built there.1. Weber Duck Farm. 2. The new Lake Villa Library. These two organizations never communicated with each other! Two tax exempt properties across Grand Avenue from each other. Illinois statutes encourage units of local government to work together. 3. Missed opportunity for governmental cooperation to get a better return on local tax dollars.What is your position on government consolidation? Are there areas of government in Lake County that strike you as prime candidates for such consideration?Yes. 1. All sewage treatment plants including North Shore Sanitary District should be placed under Lake County Public Works. 2. The several drainage districts in Lake County should consolidated by water shed. 3. Fox Waterway Agency should be extended to the watershed limits to be consistent with #2 4. Storm water management should not be funded based upon the taxable value of property.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?1. The Illinois Toll Highway behemoth is not paying its fair share for storm water run off, retention or pollution abatement and should be charged. 2. laws will need to be changed in Springfield or thru court action.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Jeanne Ives Republican Candidate for Illinois GovernorWhat is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Belief in God. Be a good parent to/for your children. They are entitled to a positive role model.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?More time with my familyWhat was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?7th grade shop class. Respect and problem solving. the various components of a project.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Be polite in all situations to everyone.