Mehr Qayyum: 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: Burr RidgeWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Twitter: @PitaconsumerFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/MehrQayyum4DuPage.CountyBoard.District3/Office sought: DuPage County board District 3 Age: Candidate did not respond.Family: Candidate did not respond.Occupation: ConsultantEducation: BA in Public Policy Near Eastern Languages Civilizations, University of Chicago MPP, Georgetown McCourt School of Public PolicyCivic involvement: ~After the March, Hinsdale ~Downers Grove Township Democratic Organization ~Mecca-Hinsdale United Methodist Church Interfaith CommitteeElected offices held: Candidate did not respond.Questions 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 am running for three reasons, which have transformed from #WhyIMarch to #WhyIRun: 1) I believe that the County Board membership's 18 seats should reflect the growing diversity (mixed heritage, gender, religion, and professional interests) of DuPage 2) I believe that the County Board should reflect bipartisan--17 out of 18 seats are held by the Republicans--which diminishes accountability and 3) I believe that our local levels of government should serve as the for federal level government since it is easier to introduce civility across bipartisan lines when we live among each other communities in a county like DuPage.What is your stance on county board members' pay? Too high, too low, just right? Would you propose any changes?Just Right. Not at this time.With DuPage County's budget being squeezed by the state funding reductions, what initiatives would you support to increase revenue and/or save money?If County Board members are reviewing fiscal matters vis a vis assessing county needs, then there may be less need to rely on lobbyists. But completing our own due diligence, we save money paying lobbyists.What are your thoughts about the county's Accountability, Consolidation and Transparency Initiative? What role should DuPage play in efforts to streamline and consolidate local government?The ACT initiative reflects an effort to streamline services and save taxpayer dollars at the local level of government. This is the type of best practice that should be assessed before full implementation on a case by case basis through pilot-project testing.What initiatives, if any, do you have in mind for your specific county board district?I believe that we should modernize the platform and options available at the annual DuPage County Fair. In the 21st century economy, there are sustainable food initiatives that may receive more community attention if shared in an open space. Also, the County Fair may serve as a venue to feature technology sharing workshops that would both benefit the farming sector, as well as the community College of DuPage campus.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?~Promoting an inclusive, welcoming environment developing in DuPage County ~Promoting startup hubs ~Strengthening Anti-Bullying programmingPlease name one current leader who most inspires you.Kathleen Kennedy TownsendWhat is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Treat others the way you would like to be treated: Give respect to earn respect.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Taking an improv comedy class in college rather than waiting until I finished my first job.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?My "Political Economy in the Arab World" class showed me how developing institutions impacted a country's economic growth.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."~Warren Buffet