2012 Election Profile: Amy Cecish

Address: 1912 Banbury Ave.; Raintree Willage Subdivision - Yorkville
Campaign contact information: www.AmyCesich.com & Facebook Page Amy Cesich for Kendall County
Age: 41
Family: Married 19 years to husband Randy, with two children
Education: HS Graduate; 1 Year Community College

Previous elected or appointed positions: Raintree Village HOA Board; Yorkville Parks & Rec Board

1)    What can you do to foster economic development in Kendall County? What level of cooperation do you think is necessary with municipalities to accomplish this? 

One way to reduce the 8.6% unemployment rate in our county would be to increase the number of recreational visitors to Kendall County, specifically to the natural resources we have been blessed with. Silver Springs and the new Marge Cline Whitewater Chute in Yorkville can draw visitors from nearby communities and surrounding states. By coordinating with the various Chambers of Commerce and the Park & Recs boards from the cities in Kendall County, we can work together to lift our revenues.

2)    Would you support a 0.75 percent RTA sales tax to locate a Metra stop in Kendall County?

Yes. Access to transportation is the pathway to economic growth. It was true a hundred years ago and remains true today. However, I think it's important to look for ways to save on our countywide expenses, therefore limiting the overall impact to all of us. In this case, having specific allocation of funds for an economic & lifestyle enhancement is worth the cost.

3)    What lessons did you draw from the dog bite incident and its aftermath? Do you think the changes the county has made at Animal Control are adequate?

As a mother and a volunteer for another local organization, I felt horrible for the boy and his family. They were there to do something good. Workplace safety is something that has to be put first in all kinds of operations. There are safety resources available and we need to treat governmental operations like any other workplace so that we can protect against something terrible like this happening to anyone else. I believe the county has made strides in making the animal control department a safer place today.

4)    Do you think the redistricting process was fair for people who live in the county’s larger municipalities?

No. In fact, this issue was the tipping point for me and is the reason I am running for a seat on the Board. Our county has changed so much in the last 10 years. The needs of its residents have become more diverse and those needs have spiked in areas that were not on the radar just 5 or 6 years ago. In my opinion, the Board missed an opportunity to serve its constituents for the next decade. The voters of Kendall County NEED to send the current board a message loud and clear, that the taxpayers of Oswego, Montgomery, Yorkville & Plano deserve greater representation.

5)    Aside from the issues discussed above, what issue or problem do you think the county board should address, and what action would you take if elected/re-elected? 

The issue that deserves greater attention is that of compensation for those that serve in a governmental role. A wage for time served and some cost reimbursement is reasonable. However, I think it's unrealistic to provide benefits that are not available at any other part-time job, especially at taxpayer's expense. If I am elected, I will only accept a wage or cost reimbursement and work to eliminate additional benefits that burden taxpayers.

 Lastly, the obvious need for improved infrastructure, like roads, bridges and railways, is a real challenge based on costs alone. In my role as a County Board member, I would look for ways to coordinate more closely with state and city planners and work to reallocate funds to higher priority needs.

I want to serve and be a part of the government that impacts our lives. We can't change the system if we are not part of it.