League of Women Voters
of Elmhurst - Voters Guide for the General Primary Election |
| Joseph F. Cantore |
| 1. The DuPage Forest Preserve has made significant strides as a leader in environmental best practices by restoring wetlands, using hybrid vehicles and protecting the county from invasive species such as zebra mussels. What do you believe the next step should be to continue the Forest Preserve’s stewardship efforts? As an agency, we need to analyze the efficiencies we have achieved while looking toward the future. Innovation, trial and error, and staying on the cutting edge of "green" technology must be at the forefront and a working part of our stewardship efforts. The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County is charged
with the care of 26,000 acres of open space in the county. Since separation
from the County Board almost 8 years ago, we have been one of the leading
agencies in the state and the country in the management of open space
and all of the responsibilities that go with it. 2. What are the issues facing the Forest Preserve District in order of priority from your point of view? The District's financial condition is one of our main priorities and must be monitored and maintained. We operate on a five-year financial plan and I am happy to report we are fiscally secure and will be for years in the future. Other priorities include maintaining our position as the leader in environmental ethics, education, restoration, and compatible recreation. The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County is currently considered one of the finest Special Districts in the nation. We must strive to continue to provide opportunities for all of our constituents. When I was first elected, I made 5 core promises based on what I believed were the core issues facing the Forest Preserve at that time. They included: -Acquiring more open space -Making preserves more accessible to the public -Implementing sensible environmental management -Holding the line on taxes and spending -Stopping the practice of forced condemnation of private property I've kept these 5 core promises throughout my tenure in
office and believe these 5 issues are still of paramount importance. I
pledge to not only continue to achieve these goals, but also to adapt
and address new issues as they arise. 3. The Oak Meadows clubhouse (formerly Elmhurst County Club and one of the closest Forest Preserve Facilities to Elmhurst) burned over a year ago. The shell remains and community members are curious as to what is the plan for the Oak Meadows clubhouse? Do you favor rebuilding or renovation as an opportunity to apply best green practices including a LEED certification? Please explain. At this point, we have made the decision to tear the building down. After extensive research, the board came to the decision that the Forest Preserve District and the taxpayers would be better served with a different facility? Smaller, more streamlined, and better suited to serve the golfer. The main purpose of Oak Meadows (as with all District owned golf facilities) was, and still is, flood control. This was exhibited during the last major flood event the county experienced. The fact the District can offer a first class golfing experience to the public is an added bonus for the surrounding community of golfing enthusiasts. As with all District programs, we need to thoroughly analyze the best course of action for the agency to take. We must be sure to take the necessary time to understand the market and needs of the community, both locally and countywide. Whatever we build, the facility must be environmentally
friendly and meet the needs of our constituents. 4. What skills and innovative ideas will you bring to your elected office? How will you turn ideas into action? There is nothing innovative about a common sense approach to government. I am a business person who believes in fiscal restraint and responsibility. The District is in a very strong financial position and, as it has exhibited during the current economic downturn, will continue to do well even in poor economic times. I have turned my fiscally conservative approach into action
while still providing exciting programs and services to the people of
DuPage County. 5. Tax revenues are down in Elmhurst and the county. What course of action do you favor to manage the Forest Preserve budget effectively? Again, we must be fiscally conservative and prudent in our management. When managing our natural resources, we must manage for future generations, sometimes fifty or one hundred years out (just consider the age of an Oak tree). The same thinking applies to our fiscal resources and we have put that thinking into action by utilizing our five-year financial plan and continuing to be conservative in our overall approach.
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