Two challenging incumbents in County Board Dist. 1

Q. What should be done to secure additional funding to construct an Interstate 80 interchange at Brisbin Road in Grundy County? A. The current board has already taken several steps to ensure and accelerate the Brisbin Road project, which will access thousands of acres of industrial property that is already in the first Economic Development Project Area. The reason it is so important is because, as the industrial tax base expands, the burden on individual residential taxpayers lessens. As long as I have a voice, it will remain a priority, until it becomes a reality. Any further funding, beyond state and federal dollars should predominately involve participation from the many private investors who already have options on much of the property and stand to profit from eventual development. Increasing the industrial and commercial base is what makes Brisbin Road so vital.

Q. Should Grundy County take action to preserve open spaces within its borders and, if so, how should it proceed? A. I think the recent fear of losing some of our state parks has made us all think about the importance of public access to our local treasures. The tide of developments coming at Grundy County from the north and east has been tempered by the economy, giving us time to think about how to best proceed with open space preservation. I would like to see, as soon as possible, a legal vehicle created to accept donations of parcels by large land owners who would be so inclined.

Q. What, if anything, should Grundy County do to control rising taxes? A. School consolidation is one thing that could eventually help reduce taxes and also result in a better overall education system for everyone. It would lead to more-efficient use of facilities, virtually eliminating a need for expensive building projects; coordinating curriculum; and cutting the obvious duplication of effort on many levels. Make sure impact fees on developers keep up with the cost tocover not only infrastructure, but address the more long-term costs associated with education.

Q. What, if anything, should Grundy County do to promote the continued economic growth of the area? A. One of the biggest projects I have had the pleasure to watch unfold as a board member is the process to approve a unique Economic Development Project Area. It effectively offset the stifling machinery and equipment tax and opened the door to a level playing field in an effort to attract industrial development. Since the Grundy Economic Development Council, along with Careen Gordon, the state's attorney's office and the current board all worked together, I would suggest we continue to utilize the resources all ready in place to continue the effort to attract new tax dollars to the area.

Republican Curt Mercadante, 33, 1051 Wooded Crest Drive, is a principal and co-founder of Revere Strategy Group, LLC, a strategic communications firm. Mercadante said that, as a husband, father and small business owner, he knows firsthand how rising taxes impact Grundy County families and employers. “I have experience fighting taxes - having been part of the team that helped defeat Gov. Rod Blagojevich's Gross Receipts Tax,” he said. “Further, I am a fresh, independent voice who will fight for lower taxes and more accountability to benefit Grundy County taxpayers.” He and his wife, Julie, have two young children. He is on the board of directors of Operation Homefront-Illinois, an organization that provides emergency assistance and morale to our troops, to the families they leave behind and to wounded when they return home. In addition, through his company, he is a member of the Grundy County Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Q. What should be done to secure additional funding to construct an Interstate 80 interchange at Brisbin Road in Grundy County? A. This project holds great promise in terms of tax benefits and economic development. The almost $5 million secured by Rep. Jerry Weller was put in jeopardy by the needless delay of the Morris-Channahon boundary agreement negotiated by former Alderwoman Martha Shugart and agreed to by Channahon Mayor Joe Cook. Further, until Democrats in Springfield quit playing games with our state budget - it's pretty apparent that state funding for any important project is in peril.    

Q. Should Grundy County take action to preserve open space within its borders and, if so, how should it proceed? A. Grundy County currently has significant open space - much of it protected. I will not add to our families' tax burden by using tax dollars to purchase even more land.  Further, there are non-profit organizations here in Illinois that allow landowners to donate their land and receive a sizeable tax deduction. That is a good free-market way to protect open space - without hitting the wallets of taxpayers.

Q. What, if anything, should Grundy County do to control rising taxes? A. Lowering our tax burden is my top priority.  There is a direct correlation between excess government spending and higher taxes. That is why I have proposed a Taxpayer Protection Provision that would limit government spending to a level more consistent with inflation and population growth - and return the excess revenue to the taxpayers in the form of property tax relief.

Q. What, if anything, should Grundy County do to promote the continued economic development of the area? A. First - our county board should be dogged and unyielding in demanding the repeal of the Machinery & Equipment Tax.  Anything less than repeal of this onerous tax is unacceptable.   Second - my plan for property tax relief will help those potential employers looking to purchase property for their business - and seeking a low-tax environment for their employees and their families.

Democrat Richard Schaefer, 54, 775 Gorham Road, a self-employed farmer, has lived in Grundy County his entire life. “I have raised a family, owned and operated my own business, and been a taxpayer,” he said. “I have served on many boards and committees and know what it takes to make them succssful.” The father of four adult children, Schaefer is a member of the Morris Eagles and Immaculate Conception Church.

Q. What should be done to secure additional funding to construct an Interstate 80 interchange at Brisbin Road in Grundy County? A. I believe we should explore all avenues to secure this funding. It is a project that is long overdue and should be finalized as soon as possible.

Q. Should Grundy County take action to preserve open space within its borders and, if so, how should it proceed? A. I have not seen all the pros and cons regarding this issue. Once I have I will do whatever I think is best for all of Grundy County.

Q. What, if anything, should Grundy County do to control rising taxes? A. We should everything we can to control taxes. Sometimes in the interest of the future or our county, we need toexpand, but controlling taxes in absolutely necessary.

Q. What, if anything, should Grundy County do to promote the continued economic development of the area? A. As part of controlling taxes we need good, clean development that will provide jobs for our residents. I will work to see that we seek well managed projects.

Richard (Dick) Steele, 73, 510 West Avenue, a Republican, has served six years on the county board. Retired, Steele works part time as an announcer on WCSJ AM and FM. “I am dedicated, having missed very few board or committee meetings during the six years,” he said. Steele said that as a member of the news media for many years, he has always been interested in local and area governments. He is a Morris Township trustee and on the Grundy County State's Attorney Justice Assistance Board. He is the father of three adult daughters.

Q. What should be done to secure additional funding to construct an Interstate 80 interchange at Brisbin Road in Grundy County? A. At the present time, state and federal funds are being counted on for the planning and construction of the Brisbin Road interchange. Private funds may be called on to help with the project. I don't believe the Grundy County taxpayers want to foot the bill for too much more until the financial crisis improves.

Q. Should Grundy County take action to preserve open space within its borders and, if so, how should it proceed? A. Grundy County has already taken steps in the form of questionnaires and a meeting to inform the public about open space needs and concerns. A referendum may be necessary in the future to see if the public wants to preserve open space. By utilizing zoning practices, the county could slow down rapid growth, preserve some open space and protect the quality of life.

Q. What, if anything, should Grundy County do to control rising taxes? Grundy County is not the problem of rising taxes. If you check your tax bill, Grundy County is only 10 to 15 percent of the total taxes. Grundy County has earned an increase in its bond rating to AA-minus, which is almost unheard of for a county of our size. This means Grundy County will realize a savings of an estimated $700,000 on the $10 million in general obligation bonds to fund several construction and expansion projects. We need to watch our spending and not break the bank. We also need more industry and business, but so does everyone else.

Q. What, if anything, should Grundy County do to promote the continued economic development of the area? A. We should continue to work closely with the Grundy Economic Development Council. They have been an excellent partner for 15 years. Grundy County should continue to promote our advantages: highways, waterways, rail service, air service, schools, quality of life and caring people, who are second to none.