Dale Berman: Candidate profile

Bio

Name: Dale Berman

Party: Democrat

City: North Aurora

Office sought: Kane County Board District 2

Age: 86

Family: Wife Mary, four adult married daughters, seven grandchildren

Occupation: Retired - 36-year career in information systems marketing and utilization. With IBM, Xerox and First Alert; Honorable Discharge - United States Army - two Years.

Education: Northwestern University, Northern Illinois University - BS Business Management - GI Bill

Civic involvement: Founding Mayor - Former Chairman and Member of Aurora Area Convention & Visitors Bureau Board; Former President Fox Valley Park District Board; Former President Provena Mercy Medical Center Foundation Board; Member Waubonsee Community College Foundation Board; Member North Aurora Lions Club; Member Living Hope Church; Former Chairman North Aurora Planning Commission, North Aurora Police Commission and North Aurora Zoning Board of Appeals.

Previous elected offices held: Village of North Aurora Trustee - four terms, Village President/Mayor - four terms

Incumbent? If yes, when were you first elected? No

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Questions and Answers

1. Why are you running for this office, whether for reelection or election for the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you? If so, what?

No issues just opportunities to maintain our current tax base, extend mental health support, improve local transportation-roads and support elected offices. I want to continue to serve the citizens of Kane County.

2. 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 would bring the experience I have gained from prior elected offices and leadership participation in several commissions. I have demonstrated the ability to work with others effectually. I attempt to gather all facts available and make decisions based on those facts.

3. Describe your position regarding the balance between county spending and revenues as it exists today, then describe the chief threats you see looming in the future and how the county should deal with them. In particular in the suburbs, President Preckwinkle has set a goal of eliminating unincorporated areas from county oversight. Do you agree with this approach? If so, how should the county go about it?

Kane County departments collectively develop an annual budget based on perceived needs and anticipated revenues or other sources. Negotiations and discussions are necessary to arrive at a balanced budget. I am not familiar with Preckwinkle's goal.

4. How do you rate the county government on transparency and the public's access to records? If you consider it adequate, please explain why. If you think improvements are needed, please describe them and why they are important.

Transparency and access to public record can always be improved. All board and committee meetings are open to the public and minutes are readily available. Information on all county expenditures are published. Opportunities for public comment are available at all board meetings.

5. What, if anything, should be done to improve automation and customer service in county offices? What steps should be taken to make that happen?

Kane County has a very effective Information Technology Department. Each department is responsible for customer service. Improved automation should be developed with the IT department and each department leading to a comprehensive plan for the future. As an IBM representative, I helped implement Kane County's first computer system.