The U.S. economy grew at a slightly faster 2 percent annual rate from July through September, buoyed by more spending by consumers and the federal government.
Growth accelerated from the 1.3 percent rate in the April-June quarter, the Commerce Department said Friday. Even with the increase, growth remains too weak to rapidly boost hiring.
Only Democrat, William J. Pysson and Republican Dennis Ellingson responded to Rockford Register Star’s Candidates’ questionnaire. The following information is taken from: http://c3.thevoterguide.org/v/rockford12/index.do?i=6
-William J. Pysson (D)
Biographical Information
Address:9592 Denver Drive, Belvidere, Il 61008
Campaign Phone:(815) 544-5115
Website:boonecountywatch.blogspot.com
Email:bill.pysson@gmail.com
Age:63
Why are you running for Boone County Board?
William J. Pysson: I have attended Boone County Board meetings and subcommittees meetings for a number of years. I have been critical of many of their actions. I supply the following examples:
Based upon state law the county's CPA audits have at times been untimely. Those audits also reveal accounting issues that continue from audit to audit. The county refused to comply with the state requirement to publish their minutes on their website until I wrote the Attorney General. There have been questionable hiring practices and a lack of proper supervision in the Health Department and Housing Authority. Yet the county board chairman with the advice of the board re-appointed the directors of these two agencies.
The board has been for the most part been unaccepting of suggestions and deaf ear to requests from other than the friends of the board chairman and his gang. Boone County deserves a county board that takes its responsibilities seriously and makes certain that all its departments comply with the law. They need to represent the entire county.
If elected I will strive for a more open and transparent government without back room deals and back room budget discussions.
I believe that my education, MBA DePaul University, and 24 years of residency in Boone County provide a good knowledge base to tackle our county's problems.
What programs, services or salaries should the Boone County Board eliminate to balance its fiscal 2013 budget?
William J. Pysson: The 2013 budget is nearly finished and should be passed before the current election. If elected I will be unable to change this budget. Thus there will be no programs which I could eliminate.
However I believe that there is no need for a full time coroner. A full time coroner has existed only during the last four years. A half or 3/4 time position would appear to be adequate based upon current conditions. This is an elected position which cannot be altered until 2017. Statistics should be made public to detail the benefits which the county obtains each year from the coroner's department to determine if the position could be cut.
Several departments received increases in manpower. Statistics regarding workloads and backlogs should be kept during FY 2013 and the FY 2014 budget process should review the information to insure that backlogs are reduced and production increased. In past years board committee members have asked department heads to compare manpower, production and backlogs with similar departments at similar sized counties (such as Ogle and Stephenson Counties) I have seen no such figures. I believe that such comparison should be again requested and would be a benefit both for Boone County and the counties compared.
What specific steps should the Boone County Board take to regulate the establishment and placement of wind turbines?
William J. Pysson: Boone County is currently reviewing its wind farm ordinance and is in the process of taking public testimony regarding a proposed amended ordinance. I believe that current and prospective board members should refrain from comments until all the evidence is provided by both sides of the issue. On October 23 testimony will continue with a possible continuation on October 30.
Nevertheless I do find it highly irregular for members of the board (even those not seeking re-election) to prepare the detailed research required by this new wind turbine ordinance and to effectively write the new ordinance. Two of these board members gave oral and written statements regarding the ordinance and also gave personal testimony recommending the approval of the ordinance. That also appears irregular. From what I understand the staff recommended no change to the present 1,000 feet set back ordinance. Under most conditions the county board should accept the professional opinion of its staff.
Dennis Ellingson (R)
No Picture
Biographical Information
Address:22931 POPLAR GROVE RD, POPLAR GROVE, IL 61065
Campaign Phone:(815) 292-3394
Email:denny@northernstarfarm.com
Age:61
Why are you running for Boone County Board?
Dennis Ellingson: I have lived in Boone County all of my life. My wife, Janet, and I raised our three sons in Boone County with the help of many many Boone County friends. I have previously served on the North Boone School Board, the Boone County Soil & Water Board, and the Boone/Winnebago Regional School Board. After watching the Boone County Board deal with tight budgets and increased demands on County tax revenues I feel compelled to offer my help to the people of Boone County to make this an even better place to raise a family, run a business,and enjoy life.
What programs, services or salaries should the Boone County Board eliminate to balance its fiscal 2013 budget?
Dennis Ellingson: I am not prepared at this time to announce cuts of services or salaries without further study and discussion with others. I am committed to operating our county within a balanced budget. I also feel it is important that the Boone County Board budget will include all known income and expenditures when budgets are approved.
What specific steps should the Boone County Board take to regulate the establishment and placement of wind turbines?
Dennis Ellingson: The Boone County Board seems to be taking the right steps to establish guidelines for the possible establishment and operation of wind turbines in Boone County. They need to review both the realistic revenues that an industrial wind turbine region may generate for the county, as well as review what effects such a wind turbine project will have on the health, safety, and welfare of the people living in Boone County and within the borders of industrial wind turbine region. If the board finds that a wind turbine project is compatible in Boone County and its' residents then the board needs to set guidelines for construction, operation, and removal of these turbines according to the current rules for special use permitting.
- Brad Fidder (R)
Biographical Information
Address:18687 Burr Oak Road
Capron, IL 61012
Campaign Phone:(815) 569-2415
Age:50
Why are you running for Boone County Board?
Brad Fidder: Candidate response is not yet available.
What programs, services or salaries should the Boone County Board eliminate to balance its fiscal 2013 budget?
Brad Fidder: Candidate response is not yet available.
What specific steps should the Boone County Board take to regulate the establishment and placement of wind turbines?
Brad Fidder: Candidate response is not yet available.
Biographical Information
Address:18687 Burr Oak Road
Capron, IL 61012
Campaign Phone:(815) 569-2415
Age:50
Address:325 N. Wooster Capron, IL 61012
Email:topcutlawn@yahoo.com
Age:46
Why are you running for Boone County Board?
Brad Fidder: Candidate response is not yet available.
Kenneth Grzybowski II: Candidate response is not yet available.
What programs, services or salaries should the Boone County Board eliminate to balance its fiscal 2013 budget?
Kenneth Grzybowski II: Candidate response is not yet available.
What specific steps should the Boone County Board take to regulate the establishment and placement of wind turbines?
Brad Fidder: Candidate response is not yet available.
Kenneth Grzybowski II: Candidate response is not yet available.
Bob Walberg
Biographical Information
Address:12000 Russellville Rd.
Belvidere, Il.
Campaign Phone:(815) 670-1170
Email:BoardChairman@BooneCountyIl.org
Age:68
Why are you running for Boone County Board?
Bob Walberg: Candidate response is not yet available.
What programs, services or salaries should the Boone County Board eliminate to balance its fiscal 2013 budget?
Bob Walberg: Candidate response is not yet available.
What specific steps should the Boone County Board take to regulate the establishment and placement of wind turbines?
Bob Walberg: Candidate response is not yet available
