Saturday, January 31, 2015

You can lead a horse to water but can't make him/her drink it!

The problem in politics and attempting to provide leadership on reform is that it is not just one horse that you are trying to lead to water. Also, your not quite sure where the water is since you are usually in a valley and can't see over the hill. What makes it even worse is that your not quite sure you will find clean drinkable water over the hill or if water is what you really need first since you have a little with you in storage and there are many other needs. Now, with that being said why even try to lead them horses to water? We are not bone dry yet and things aren't all that bad as we sit here today. Well, we all know we need clean water to survive and as strategic planners and stewards of Lake County we need to be proactive.

All us politicians proclaim we are working to make government efficient, not waste or steal money, and combing over dollars so we spend money like you would if you were sitting in our chairs. For myself directly representing the 34,000 folks in Highland Park, Highwood, and Deerfield, and being part of a consensus governing 703,000 folks in Lake County, defining the acceptable reform expectations is like trying to catch a greased pig. Let me even go further and say that even DISCUSSING setting the bar of expectations for reform is elusive.

Now the PROBLEM is as you look at property taxes they have kept rising year after year yet our property values have diminished substantially. While our administrators and us politian's have been talking about 2 to 4 % increases in our tax levy, in relation to our property values the reality has been much higher. Several pieces of legislation were proposed downstate to tie these factors together but failed to amended the tax cap law accordingly. Since the economic pull back in 2009, governments have continued to increase operating costs at a ratio that is outpacing the revenue stream and citizens ability to pay. More residents in Illinois are leaving our state than any other and Lake County has declined in population over the past several years.

I am hearing many of my fellow members were upset with me that I have suggested that I am the only one on this board seemingly willing to take the bull by the horns in a comprehensive manner to restructure government in Lake County and reduce taxes. If I am wrong and others believe we should pursue REDUCED taxation by providing leadership and example in Lake County government let me hear. Don't attempt to steer me though a maze that leads to delay and noncommittal. Join me in creating a work plan and process that can provide professional and comprehensive solutions. I only serve my citizens to try to make a difference and represent them as I have promised. . . Like it or not, this has been me for the 22 years I have been a public servant.

Bottom line is that I do work with many smart good folks that are in this deeply grooved government trend of status quo. They believe that we are doing the best we can for the citizens. Lake County government is rated very high like most our school districts, municipalities, and other districts, but needs to work together to integrate and create real reform. Time is a ticken and we are taking a lickin but together we can make the difference needed to better serve our citizens. YOU IN?