Don Krause: 2022 candidate for DuPage County Forest Preserve Board District 2
Bio
Party: Republican
Office sought: DuPage County Forest Preserve Board District 2
City: Lisle
Age: 68
Occupation: Retired
Previous offices held: None
Q&A
Q: 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?
A: On Nov. 18, 2021, I saw a Facebook post of signing a $41.5M bond by a Board of Commissioners-DuPage Forest Preserve member. I was unaware of this large bond being on the table before Nov. 18, 2021. I thought shame on me, and the more I dug, the more frustrated I became as there was limited publicity on the massive bond.
This $41.5 million bond should have had a referendum. I decided to run for Forest Preserve District 2 Commissioner to bring commonsense conservative values to the board.
Q: If you are an incumbent, describe your two biggest contributions to the board. If you are a non-incumbent, describe two ways you would contribute to the board.
A: 1. Apply a commonsense approach to problem-solving
2. Hold the line on taxes & spending
Q: What role should the forest preserve play in preserving historic buildings on its land?
A: The Forest Preserve should seek partners that are specialists at preserving and maintaining these historic buildings on our land and form a mutually beneficial partnership.
Q: How would you rate the job the commission is doing to develop existing forest preserves and make them accessible to residents? How would you approach things differently?
A: The current board has been moving too slowly to improve the accessibility of the preserves for our residents. By expanding and interconnecting our existing trail system and collaborating with other trail groups and local government agencies, DuPage would have access to our preserves from a single trail access point. Even from their neighborhood.
Q: What is the most important issue facing the forest preserves in your district and how should it be addressed?
A: The issue I received the most input from the residents of District 2 is the historic Graue Mill dam removal, and they feel they did not have a voice when the dam removal was voted on and approved. The residents still are unsure of the project's schedule and what the area will look like after removal.