Fred Dornback

On the Record

What experiences do you have that make you a good candidate for office?

I have attended almost every Township Board meetings since 2007. I served as Cemetery Superintendent and Sexton for three years on a voluntary basis and currently receive a stipend. Most of my current effort for the Cemetery is still on a voluntary basis updating records that date back to 1860. I was elected president of the National Association of School Psychologist. I served as the American Red Cross Disaster Chair and the Mental Health lead of ARC of Greater Chicago. I served as an Administrator in both public and private schools. I have managed both people and budgets. My experience managing the Cemetery, without tax payer dollars, while making many improvements, illustrates both my leadership and experience.

What are your top three priorities if elected?

My top three priorities are to find a solution to the road maintenance problem. At the current tax levy it is possible to resurface a road only twice a century. The typical life span of a road surface, depending upon use and the quality of the original engineering is ten years. Currently our resources allow us to resurface about one to one point two (1.2) miles per year. The township has 58 miles of roads and about 52 miles are blacktop. The second priority is to establish a climate of education and listening to the needs of the citizens. I plan to have regular education sessions at board meetings and focus groups to listen to the citizen’s at open town meetings. My third priority is to increase the efficiency of the Supervisor’s office. I plan on regular office hours and a commitment to cash checks within one business day and to return emails and telephone calls within one business day.

Would you support freezing your taxing district’s levy until housing prices rebound? Why or why not?

I would not support freezing the Township levy until housing prices rebound without some definitions of things like what constitutes a housing rebound. The Township has a pending referendum and if the citizens approve it, I would support improving our roads as requested by the public. I do support the current board’s decision not to increase the levy other than for mental health. I support controlling salary increases to a maximum of the CLI. I support the current board’s decision to allow the citizens to determine if they want improved roadways as a result of placing the issue on a referendum. I will vote yes, but I think they are the people’s roads and the people’s choice. Because of the referendum being on the ballot the people will determine if the levy for the road District should be increased. I will be a good steward of the people’s resources as I have demonstrated in the operation of the Cemetery.

What one decision by the township board do you most disagree with and why?

In the seven years that I have attended the Blackberry Township Board meetings, I cannot recall any decision that I disagree with to the point that I would wish to reverse it during my tenure as Supervisor. We have a non-mandated issue related to our “Ride in Kane” program that I wish was different. The board allocated $10,000 in the current budget for the program, but it is in danger of exceeding the budget. The decision was made to restrict use of the program for medical appointments only. The prioritization of this non mandatory program will merit review and a town meeting to explore the community’s priority for this program and to determine to what extent they wish to support it. The current incumbent board candidates all work well together and have the interest of the public at heart. I fully support the Blackberry Township incumbent candidates and look forward to working with them.

What was the biggest accomplishment of the board in the past year?

The biggest accomplishments this past year was holding down the town levy and allowing the people to determine if they want the Blackberry Township roads improved.

Why should voters elect you to office?

I have attended almost every Town Board meeting since July 2007 and have served the Township as the Town Moderator for over ten years at the annual Town Meeting. I have also worked as the Cemetery Superintendent since July 2007. The first three years were as a volunteer. I currently get a stipend as Sexton, but most of my current efforts are on a volunteer basis. The Cemetery records date back to 1860 and were not organized in any consistent way. The records are now all in a data base. Policies and Procedures have been developed and all necessary forms are available for conducting the business of the Cemetery. The Cemetery has undergone several beautification projects including the addition of a cremation garden. The Cemetery is operated without taxpayer dollars. I have also worked with the Highway Commissioner writing successful grants as well as several grants pending. In my professional work and volunteer work I have experience managing people and budgets. I have a proven track record of being a listener, problem solver and someone who follows through on a job. I am experienced, responsive, resourceful and committed to the Township.