Arlene Kendorski: 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: Downers GroveWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Twitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Arlene Kendorski for Dupage County Board 2Office sought: DuPage County board District 2 Age: 70Family: Daughters Jennifer Grabowski Lorien Mueller Husband Francis S. Kendorski(deceased)Occupation: retired elementary teacherEducation: BS Elementary Education University of Arizona MA Curriculum and Instruction northern Illinois UniversityCivic involvement: Volunteer- 6+ years Peoples Resource Center Secretary- Lisle township Democratic Organization Leader- Candidate Recruitment DuPage Democratic Organization Life Member_ National PTAElected 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?After attending County Board meetings regularly since January 2017 I felt that the people of DuPage County would be better served by a county board that was representative of the entire diverse population of the county. The current Counnty Board is made up of seventeen Republicans and one Democrat. Females are definitely in the minority as well. Little probing discussion takes place during the meetings. Member Chaplin however does often asks questions or clarification of the issues being voted on.I would like to see more of that involvement. I believe it is the job of County Board members to represent the best interest of all the people in their district. It is not to act as a rubber stamp for matters on a particular political agenda.What is your stance on county board members' pay? Too high, too low, just right? Would you propose any changes?I feel that the pay should reflect the time and effort expended by the members. Are they actively working in the best interest of their constituents? Which of their activities are geared to getting needed information? Are most of their efforts for the purpose of getting that kind of information and not just for enhancing their own personal image and keeping their seats? I believe since I would be new to the position I would have to see how much time and effort it takes to be an excellent County Board member and true public servant. I would then be better able to discuss compensation.With DuPage County's budget being squeezed by the state funding reductions, what initiatives would you support to increase revenue and/or save money?I would support doing away with highly paid lobbyists. County Board members are capable of, and should be, in contact with local, state and federal officials on a regular basis. In that context they are able to lobby for the best interest of the people in DuPage County Other nearby counties do not have paid lobbyists. The members do the lobbying. I also believe that careful, verifiable documentation should be required to qualify for pensions, health insurance, and car allowances for County Board members. Given that County Board members have other employment some of these benefits may be overly generous especially in times of a budget "squeeze".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?Consolidation is a popular idea currently. I believe that when consolidation is considered all of the details that have legal and logistic components should be worked out before hand. It is often a difficult task that impacts many people in ways that initially mayb e over looked. The consolidation of the Lisle and Naperville highway commissions was voted on in April 2017 and is still not in place. Its implementation is experiencing many difficulties. Streamlining that is also having a surge of popualrity currently is not a panacea. Streamlining that causes changes that are troublesome or inconvenient may not be well received by voters and may not even be cost effective in the long run.What initiatives, if any, do you have in mind for your specific county board district?Since attending County Board meetings for the last year I strongly believe that some practices of the county Boartd hinder the active participation of all people in the county. Meetings that take place at 10 a.m. is one example. School Boards, Village Councils and other governmental bodies meet in the evening. The daytime meetings limit County Board membership to those people whose employment allows them to take time from work or have flexible work arrangements. It also limits the people who can attend meetings. Most people are left out of the process. Although meetings are recorded that is not helpful in being able to watch the personal interactions of the board. Another limiting practice is having comments, and only comments not questions, only allowed at the beginning of the meeting. This limits comments about anything that occured during the business part of the meeting until the next meeting in two weeks. I would propose at least one evening meeting per month and and two times for questions and comments. One at the beginning and one just before adjournment. That would allow greater participation and involvement by more residents.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?I believe it is very important that the the County Board be representative of the make- up of the county. The current make-up of the board leaves large population groups without representation on the board based on ethnicity, gender, finanicial status, political beliefs, etc. (Perhaps for reasons noted in the above question) Our county board should mirror our county as it looks today not twenty-five or fifty years ago.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Michelle ObamaWhat is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Family is something you can always count onIf life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would have continued with piano lessonsWhat was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Social Studies especially American history. I have been in 48 states and history gave those experiences special meaningIf you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Never give up.